i need a new radiator for my 86 diesel.

anyone know of a cheap place to get them? or have a good used one for sale?

 

There was a thread on here recently about them, seems to vary depending on where you are whether it's cheaper to buy new or get them recored. Where are you located?

 

I'm in baltimore. I took my old one to a radiator shop and they said it couldnt be fixed

 

i got mine at orieleys $300.00 + tax

 

how hot do these engines run?

I have an aluminum radiator from an 86 f-250 with a 351w that is in good shape. its not the same size but I think I can make it fit. I think it will at least get me on the road until I feel like spending 300 bucks for a new diesel radiator.

any thoughts on doing this?

 

Might be OK if you don't haul anything, but with summer heat just around the corner if you work it the 351 radiator will be overworked trying to keep it cool.

Thermostat opens at 195.

Top radiator hose temps when you are working the engine hard, 235 or a bit more.

 

Yeah my 5.8L radiator has to work to just keep my 5.8L cool!

 

I tried fitting it into my truck yesterday and its not quit the bolt in i was thinking it might be. its not going to work anyways without modifying it a bunch.

guess I will just have to bite the bullet and buy one.

 

Did you ask about the shop re-coring the radiator you have?

Could be a much cheaper option than a complete new radiator.

 

yeah they wanted nearly as much as a new one costs for a re-core.

not sure what I can get for scrap on this thing but i might be ahead after scrapping it over a re-core

 

Last I checked here, it was about 375-400 for a recore, 450-475 for new. Recore would be copper/brass though, when the new one is aluminum.

 

I've seen plenty new ones online for a little over 300. 475 sounds pretty high

 

I'm in Canada, everything costs us more here unfortunately. Just showing the comparison for recore versus new, at least here. Personally I much prefer the brass/copper rads over aluminum too.

 

Local radiator shop down here quoted about 350 to recore and said I should just buy a new one.

 

83 84 85 86 87 F250 F350 6.9L 84 F150 DIESEL RADIATOR : eBay Motors (item 270523138687 end time May-29-10 12:40:45 PDT)
328.00 plus 25 shipping....