I'm going to the scrap yard to pull a diesel rad for my 460 club wagon now. is there any reason that it won't work like reverse coolant flow or anything? minor things i can work around. thanks

 

well I bought it anyway, the rad is a massive 4 core unit that I pulled from a 90's power stoke cube van. I grabbed the shroud too just encase. the inlet and outlets seem to be on the correct sides so I'm guessing it'll work. installation will be this evening so I'll post the results.

 

well, the rad is quite a bit different..mostly in depth and mounting flange style. The top spout is 1.75" rather then 1.5". The diesel rad now almost rests on the sway bar. I had to move the trans and oil cooler lines out of the way to make room. I also haven't been able to fit the diesel shroud in but will give it another shot. dead lifting the 75# monster in and out gets old and theres a chance of damaging it each time. Next attempt I will trim and redrill the mounting flange to raise the rad up a couple ins and allow for easier bolt up..now you have to be a contornsionist to get to the bottom bolts. it will be a worth while swap and can see about a 20% increase in cooling.

 

Were you having cooling problems before this swap? What will you do if this radiator develops a leak and ultimately needs replacing? What year is your current van?

 

The old rad was plugged and when I tried to flush it an internal leak into the ATF lines developed. Quotes for a new rad were around $450..at the local yard there was a near mint diesel one for $50 so i took the gamble. The mods aren't that drastic, a stock one will fit back in at any time.

 

Ahhh okay--that all makes perfect sense then if only for the cost! Sounds like your old one was about to let go so you seem to have caught it in time--like out on the highway late at night with no cell phone service!

Hope this works out for the long term--always great to save $400 even if skinned knuckles and numerous curse words are part of the repair!

 

Happy to report the diesel rad is installed and keeping the 460 nice and cool, even with the stock diesel 7LBS rad cap. It hasn't gone over 1/2 on the gage yet with lots of full throttle blast$. I ended up cutting the engine side flange completly off the rad and raising the mounting bolt locations 2" over stock. makes the rad more centered rather then sitting on the sway bar but still clears the hood. the auxillary diesel coolent line located beside the trans coolant line needed to be blocked with a pipe plug. I was unable to fit the stock di fan shroud- no way it was going in without an extra set of hands. anyway good swap possibility for anyone needing a rad or wanting some extra cooling for their gas engine. $50 bucks at the scrap yard and it looks new

 

Congrats-----nice swap and the price was right too! Did you take any photos before & after along the way? Might be helpful to post them in your gallery here.