-Always add a coolant filter, it can never do an harm and will save you a waterpump as well as remove whatever sand from your cooling system.

-Since you're replacing the radiator, you're going to have to do a flush, follow Gooch's flush procedure found here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...formation.html (Be sure to remove the coolant filter while you're flushing)

-Per Gooch's instructions, don't refill will the Green stuff. Get your hands on some of the suggestions in Gooch's procedure.

If you decide to go with the green stuff you'll be replacing your waterpump due to silicate dropout eating the seals and the pump itself.

Case in point:

My truck was purchased brand new Ausgust of 2001 with Green coolant. It wasn't until Summer 2007 that I had to have the waterpump changed for the first time. It was refilled with the green stuff and again Summer 2008, I had to have the waterpump changed again.

Once more it was filled with the green stuff and Spring 2010 the waterpump had to be changed again. This time, instead of letting them flush and refill with the green stuff, I went to Ford and purchased some Premium Gold and they refilled with that.

Spring 2012, I'd been waiting and waiting for the pump to fail, but it never did due to Ford Premium Gold being HOAT and not having the Silicate drop out that the green stuff had.

I've since drained, flushed, and refilled with CAT ELC and it does a noticably better job of keeping the truck cool in the hottest weather.

-Don't mix the green and the gold or mix and ELC with the green or the gold.

You're much better off flushing and getting the old coolant completely out of the system and flushing again with either VC-9 or Restore to thoroughly "cleanse" the cooling system.

The OAT ELC coolants may cost a pretty penny, but it's worth it.

Do it once, do it right...

 

I actually drive the 20 mins to the one in Holbrook cause it beats the pants off the one in foxboro.

First off congrats...secondly I recommend the following for you...

 

I just did a water pump, coolant change, & a bunch of other stuff. 101k miles, original pump, original gold coolant. My coolant was absolutely spotless, like a 5 gallon bucket of lemon Kool-Aid, completely clear to the bottom of the bucket with no crud, no sand. I guess some blocks were more thoroughly cleaned than others. No sign of cavitation either. The pump was still good, just a preventative measure. A filter is a great idea but in my case, just can't justify it.