Can someone tell me how wide a stock 48-52 radiator is? I don't have one to compare. Has anyone used a mid 70s F-150 radiator in their Bonus Built? I need one with a bottom left inlet, preferably 1 3/4 inches for my 302. It looks like a 73-77 F-150 radiator might work. The outlets are correct but the core size is 23 3/4 wide. At 18 inches high it is okay but I'm unsure how the width compares with the stock radiator and if it will fit the core support.

 

Okay, I found the stock core size. It's 21 5/8 wide and 21 inches high but I'd still like to know if anyone has used a 73-77 F-150 radiator in a 48-52 truck. Will the core support handle a core width of 23 3/4 inches?

 

Vern,

I dont have one but I know mr4speedford has one and its out of the truck right now. Send him a PM and maybe he can send you measurements and pics.

 

I've a 50 F-3 with a 226 6 cylinder engine. That radiator measures 22 and 3/8ths inches wide by 28 inches high. I think it is original to the truck, though I had to have it recored at a local radiator shop.

 

With a little fabricating you should be ok Vern. The Rad support is over 25" inside to inside. The flanges the radiator bolts to, stick out 1 1/2" on each side so the stock distance between mounting bolts is just about 24".

I'm sure you can rig a mounting system for what you need. In addition to the above, half the depth of the stock rad protrudes out past the support frame toward the engine.

Confused yet? If not let me know and I'll keep trying until you are!

 

I originally was going to find a replacment rad for my '50 F1 by using a 70's F150 rad but I calculated that I would have to alter the geometry of the rad support which is integral to mounting the front fenders etc.

I ended up taking the original rad in to a rad shop and they manufactured a core and added cooling tank for my AOD. The other issue to consider might be fan clearance, I didn't have enough for the mechanical fan on the 5.0L I used from a '90 Crown Vic.

Rad shop modified rad so I had top and bottom hose entry ports.



Tom

 

Yeah, I'm confused but it doesn't take much. I'm not worried about the depth but I am concerned as to whether I can shave enough off the stock F-150 radiator flange to fit it between the 25 inch radiator support sides. At 23 1/2 that doesn't leave much room for mounting flanges...about a 1/2 inch on either side. You think that can be done?

 

I'll try to look in the next couple of days. Busy tomorrow, but I've got 70's and 80 parts trucks sitting around here that had 302/5.0 engines. I should be able to sort it out....... so watch for the next installment of confusion

 

I appreciate it. I have my eyes on a NOS 73-77 F-150 radiator at a very decent price....

 

There are at least eight different radiators used on 1973/79 F100/150 V8's.

The width is between 23 & 26 inches. The height is between 18 & 24 inches.

 

I must have missed part of the conversation, but this were I found mine.

1950 - Truck - Ford - Radiators Cool Craft

 

Bill,

Thank you. I've been discovering this in dribs and drabs. The one I'm contemplating is 18 x 23 3/4 and should barely squeeze in between the core support. Supposedly it is for a 73-77 360/390 V8 Ford F-150 with a manual transmission. It is 1 5/16 thick.

 

No FE engines after 1976.

D3TZ8005A .. Standard or Xtra Cooling Radiator / 18 1/2" x 23 13/16" x 1 5/64" / Obsolete

Fits: 1973/76 F100/250 360 & 1975/76 F150 360. Without: A/C, trailer towing or Camper Special packages.

 

Vern, I took some pictures of your radiator in/around the support of my 48 F6 - which is w/o an engine at the moment.

The rad is from a 74 F100 that had a 360 and measures as you and Bill described it.

From the looks of it you'll have to play with the flanges but it should go without too much trouble. I can't find your email addy so shoot me an email at mtflat at hotmail dot com and I'll send the pics to you.
Tim

 

Tim, E-mail sent. Thanks.