question about replacement radiator options?
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Freshman User
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question about replacement radiator options?
I am sure that this topic has already been covered, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
So i recently picked up a '88 F250 (460) to haul my cab-over camper, that had been sitting for a few years. I have been nursing it back to like over that past few weeks and the radiator blew out yesterday.
My question is, when looking at a new replacement would you all recommend an all aluminum or is that over kill and the plastic versions should be sufficient? Also there are 2 row and 3 row options? Is the 2 row sufficient or is the 3 row option a better idea? This is uncharted territory for me and i want to be sure to get a replacement that is going to last and offer the best reliability/performance for what i use the truck for without going unnecessarily overboard.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
So i recently picked up a '88 F250 (460) to haul my cab-over camper, that had been sitting for a few years. I have been nursing it back to like over that past few weeks and the radiator blew out yesterday.
My question is, when looking at a new replacement would you all recommend an all aluminum or is that over kill and the plastic versions should be sufficient? Also there are 2 row and 3 row options? Is the 2 row sufficient or is the 3 row option a better idea? This is uncharted territory for me and i want to be sure to get a replacement that is going to last and offer the best reliability/performance for what i use the truck for without going unnecessarily overboard.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Over There
I'm pretty sure I put a 3 row in mine, was a while back. Standard replacement, aluminum core, plastic tanks. It got a little warm one day towing a heavy load up a hill. If your going to haul around a big camper I think it's well worth it to play it safe and get the bigger one. But not worth it to spend crazy money on some all aluminum sucker, the stock replacement style ones work just as well.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Coastal Washington State
I bought a Summit Racing aluminum radiator for my '89 460. Im sure it's made by one of the big name brand manufacturers. It fit very nicely and the price was good. I don't remember exactly how much , but it was compete able to a plastic tanked replacement. I prefer the all aluminum because whenever I've had a Ford radiator fail it was at the seam
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 7
From: Over There
I bought a Summit Racing aluminum radiator for my '89 460. Im sure it's made by one of the big name brand manufacturers. It fit very nicely and the price was good. I don't remember exactly how much , but it was compete able to a plastic tanked replacement. I prefer the all aluminum because whenever I've had a Ford radiator fail it was at the seam
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Coastal Washington State
I looked it up also. I don't remember them being that much. Maybe they've snuck prices up on the store brand. It was about 6 years ago I believe
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If you're going to be towing, as long as it's not crazy more expensive go with the 3 row just for insurance, especially if you have an auto trans, the more fluid to disperse the heat of the trans fluid, the better.
Just a note, you'll need to find a new fan shroud for a factory 3 row truck or just eliminate the fan shroud when you install the new rad. I just went from a 1 row to 2 row over the weekend and my shroud no longer fits. You can always go the route of electric fans as well which is what I'm choosing.
Just a note, you'll need to find a new fan shroud for a factory 3 row truck or just eliminate the fan shroud when you install the new rad. I just went from a 1 row to 2 row over the weekend and my shroud no longer fits. You can always go the route of electric fans as well which is what I'm choosing.
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Freshman User
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If you're going to be towing, as long as it's not crazy more expensive go with the 3 row just for insurance, especially if you have an auto trans, the more fluid to disperse the heat of the trans fluid, the better.
Just a note, you'll need to find a new fan shroud for a factory 3 row truck or just eliminate the fan shroud when you install the new rad. I just went from a 1 row to 2 row over the weekend and my shroud no longer fits. You can always go the route of electric fans as well which is what I'm choosing.
Just a note, you'll need to find a new fan shroud for a factory 3 row truck or just eliminate the fan shroud when you install the new rad. I just went from a 1 row to 2 row over the weekend and my shroud no longer fits. You can always go the route of electric fans as well which is what I'm choosing.
Thanks for everyone's input on this!
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