Upgrading 4.2 cooling system
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
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From: Vancouver BC Canada
Upgrading 4.2 cooling system
A local pick and pull yard had a sale on a few things recently and I picked up a few things for my f150. I am slowly upgrading some areas to assist in the hauling of heavier payloads. I picked up a nice looking radiator and shroud from a v8 equipped f150 that is 2 1/4" thick to replace the 1" thick rad I have now. $25. The width, height, and hose locations all seem to be the same so I'm hoping that this is a straight forward swap. I meant to grab the heavier duty fan clutch as well but couldn't figure out how to remove it. Unfortunately I'm not 100% on the donor truck. I think it was a 1999 or 2000.
Anyway, my questions are these:
Will I have any issues with installing the thicker rad in my v6 truck?
Are the tranny cooler line fittings the same size between the v8 and v6 trucks?
Do I need a special tool to remove the fan clutch assembly?
Thanks for any feedback.
Anyway, my questions are these:
Will I have any issues with installing the thicker rad in my v6 truck?
Are the tranny cooler line fittings the same size between the v8 and v6 trucks?
Do I need a special tool to remove the fan clutch assembly?
Thanks for any feedback.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
With the hauling you do is they any over heating problem? If not let it stock, make sure the system is clean and the thermostat is good.
I would put more effort in keeping the trans cool in hot weather.
The motor is not that large nor can you haul or tow a huge amount of weight with your truck per the specs for it.
Good luck.
I would put more effort in keeping the trans cool in hot weather.
The motor is not that large nor can you haul or tow a huge amount of weight with your truck per the specs for it.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
Thanks for the reply. The additional cooling capacity is precautionary. I haven't attempted to haul anything significant yet, but prefer to stay in front of issues, rather than trying to catch up. A tranny cooler is in the cards as well.
Are there drawbacks to running a larger capacity rad?
Are there drawbacks to running a larger capacity rad?
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
No real drawbacks to increased cooling other than the transmission could delay going into OD on a cold take off until the fluid heats to about 98 degrees at a later time interval..
A trans cooler makes that delay a bit longer yet.
The thermostat will tend to modulate the coolant flow more often.
Good luck.
A trans cooler makes that delay a bit longer yet.
The thermostat will tend to modulate the coolant flow more often.
Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 114
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Haynes says you need special tools for the fan clutch, but the special tools are just the thin "plate steel" style wrenches (one to hold the water pump from turning and one for the fan clutch nut)so.... It also has a notation about keeping the rear of the clutch facing up while it is removed so silicone doesn't get into the clutch.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver BC Canada
I installed the rad yesterday. It fit perfectly with the dimensions and outlet / inlet locations all in the right locations. The only issue that came up was the transmission line fittings were a different size. My v6 fittings seem to be 5/8" and the v8 fittings are 1/2". This was solved by swapping the fittings from the old rad to the new one. Unfortunately, the Flexalite tranny cooler came with 1/2" hose adapters so I will stop at the parts store today. Also, I decided to stick with the v6 shroud, as the v8 shroud seemed to be designed for a clutch fan that sits back a little further, and i was concerned about fan - shroud contact.
I thought something wasn't working properly, as the upper rad hose was getting very hot but the lower was cool to the touch. I realized after some thought that the cool lower hose indicates the bigger rad is doing its job. Doh! The scanguage showed a fairly consistant 190-193 with as high as 200 doing a low speed steep grade climb.
Anyway, today will be a good test of the cooling system as my son and I are off to Whistler for hockey camp, an 1 1/2 hour drive up into the mountains.
I thought something wasn't working properly, as the upper rad hose was getting very hot but the lower was cool to the touch. I realized after some thought that the cool lower hose indicates the bigger rad is doing its job. Doh! The scanguage showed a fairly consistant 190-193 with as high as 200 doing a low speed steep grade climb.
Anyway, today will be a good test of the cooling system as my son and I are off to Whistler for hockey camp, an 1 1/2 hour drive up into the mountains.
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