I need a new radiator
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 2
From: Port Orchard, WA
I need a new radiator
It's completely clogged up. I took it into the oldschool radiator shop, and he pointed out the white crusty crap that is blocking the tubes is corrosion. The whole radiator is corroded, he says.
Also, I apparently have a rare short but long radiator. He said most of the diesels came with the 24" square radiator, although mine has an 11x31 or so. According to him, any old used Ford radiator is going to be in similar shape after 25 years of use.
So he quoted me an aftermarket one at $445, and said he could also have cores custom made in Seattle and rebuild my radiator for $775. He said rodding or cleaning it out was out of the question, because the cores are so corroded.
Damn. This truck really isn't worth it...
Does anyone know what I'd have to do to fit a square radiator in?
Also, I apparently have a rare short but long radiator. He said most of the diesels came with the 24" square radiator, although mine has an 11x31 or so. According to him, any old used Ford radiator is going to be in similar shape after 25 years of use.
So he quoted me an aftermarket one at $445, and said he could also have cores custom made in Seattle and rebuild my radiator for $775. He said rodding or cleaning it out was out of the question, because the cores are so corroded.
Damn. This truck really isn't worth it...
Does anyone know what I'd have to do to fit a square radiator in?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
You'd probably need a different core support to fit the other style radiator, but I'm not sure about that.
Bad news on that is AFAIK the diesel core support isn't available anywhere either.
Bad news on that is AFAIK the diesel core support isn't available anywhere either.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1,198
From: Mojave, Ca
I measured my radiator on my '94 f350 IDIT. It measures 31"W by roughly 29" tall and its a 4-core. A 31x11 radiator sounds like it belongs on a V-6 mini-van, not a diesel truck. Is it possible that the previous owner replaced the original radiator with a swap-meet-deal radiator? Perhaps you can fit a standard 31x29" radiator in the core.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 594
Likes: 3
From: West Des Moines, IA
^^^ Nailed it with the non-a/c trucks getting the weird radiator.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 2
From: Port Orchard, WA
Huh. My truck has A/C, but it does look like the PO added it. I mean, there's standard rubber hose and hose clamps used as one of the refrigerant lines.
Since my goal for this truck is 3 years, I might try to clean it out myself and see how long it lasts. It has a brand new SMF and LuK clutch, return lines, and motorcraft glow plugs, but other than that, this thing is a beater. I should have bought one that was maintained better.
I haven't found an all-aluminum champion brand replacement for this 31". The good news is that a core support for a diesel with the square radiator should be easy to come by in the local junkyards.
Thanks
-Matt
Since my goal for this truck is 3 years, I might try to clean it out myself and see how long it lasts. It has a brand new SMF and LuK clutch, return lines, and motorcraft glow plugs, but other than that, this thing is a beater. I should have bought one that was maintained better.
I haven't found an all-aluminum champion brand replacement for this 31". The good news is that a core support for a diesel with the square radiator should be easy to come by in the local junkyards.
Thanks
-Matt
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,942
Likes: 13
Chemical flush should get the corrosion out, key word should, ive never had much luck with em, but in your boat you might give it a shot. Dont be surprised if it springs a leak on you. Then stay the hell away from the blue crap... pepper or copenhagen work well, as does alumaseal.
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