Hey guys -- While working on something else I punched a couple of holes in my radiator. I tried to solder them up but I'm not too confident in my soldering ability and I made a mess of things. I'm going to try and grind out those sections and re-do them but I'm also shopping for a new radiator.

I think that I've got it narrowed down to 2 different units that are the same size as the one I'm replacing. The current core is 19.25" x 26.25" x 2" thick.

I've found Spectra CU433 which is the same size but only 1.75" thick and I've found the Spectra CU444 which is also the same but 1 7/8" thick.

They are over $100 difference.

Both include an integrated tranny cooler that is 12" -- is that sufficient for my C6 or should I stick with the external one that the truck currently has (which also needs repair -- but those are cheap if I wanted to replace it.) The current tranny cooler is pretty big -- aprox 19" x 12" x 1" thick.

This truck is new to me so I'm trying to sort it out. There is a belt driven fan on a clutch and an electric fan -- but the electric fan was not hooked up and I haven't figured out if it has a thermal control built into it or not. There is no radiator shroud. Advice?

 

You might check out the c545 model it is the largest body oem style radiator.

Its seems you could get this style in a 4 row or 3 row. But you will want the biggest you can fit with that 460. Use a shroud too.

Also pay attention to where the mounting flange is on your truck versus what you buy, there is a rear and a front flange version.

I know that when I did the radiator swap in my f150 4x4 I used a 545 and I needed a special lower hose for both 351m and 460. ECR/gates part # 21090.

 

Seems crazy to spend $400 on an OEM radiator. I guess I'll start looking at junkyard stuff to try to come up with something I can make work....

Is it safe to just calculate the total area of a radiator in order to compare 2 different sizes? I'm looking at 2000ish E350 radiators that have an aprox. size of 1400ci..... My previous radiator was only 988ci.

 

1966-1979 Ford Pickup Truck New Aluminum Radiator 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

 

The 1.75" or 1 & 7/8" should do as long as you're using a shroud. On mine I cool the tranny with the main radiator and a smaller cooler (don't know the model, but I think Advanced sells it for $60-$70). Cooling it with both helps because the transmission "cooler" part of the main radiator is also a transmission "heater." It helps warm the transmission up faster with the warm coolant also being in the radiator. This is good for the tranny because it wears less when it reaches operating temp. And of course, it also helps cool the tranny even more once it's up to temp.

If you're worried about heat, you could also put in an oil cooler. They're not that expensive, and it may help keep engine temps down some.

Also, don't buy a junkyard radiator if you don't have to... Who knows what kind of junk or corrosion is in them.

 

I used a AZ 3 core unit in my dent (400m factory extra cooling spec) and the price was reasonable. I have also used radiators from radiators.com on DD's. Both with good results. The in radiator trans cooler is OK for every day driving but towing really requires the auxiliary cooler to keep the transmission healthy. If you tow, I would retain or replace the extra cooler and run it in series with the radiator cooler. Opinions vary, but I would put the radiator trans cooler first then the auxiliary cooler.