Hi there,

I decided to get a new radiator for my truck but don't even know where to start.
My truck is 300 L6 with A/C and manual transmission.
What should I look for? How precise the measurements have to be or there are could be plus/minus and how much? Is it has to be for 6 cylinders or I can get 8 cylinders one and change the hoses?

Thank you very much!

 

Must be for a 6 cyl, as the hoses are opposite sides as a V8.
There are 2 sizes of radiators for a 6cyl. You can easily see which one you have by looking at the top rad mounting bracket on the driver side. There will be another pair of mounting holes about 6" away from it, if they are further out, you have the narrow rad. If they are in between the 2 mounting brackets, you've got the wider one (same width as V8).

 

Thank you, this is helpful! I'll check the bracket tonight.

 

If you have an original brass radiator, it might be best to take it to a radiator shop to be boiled out and repaired. Can't beat them for durability. ~Bill

 

What are you trying to do? You should be able to go to the store and get a new one. Are they asking you some questions you can't answer?

 

I guess I don't trust my locals I has bad experience before. I would feel confident if i have all the info first, then go to the store. Maybe there are better choices online, who knows... I want good staff for my truck.

 

I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right place, but I don't see extra holes. could you help figure it out?

 

Top photo, the extra holes are just barely visible at top edge of pic, just beyond the oval hole. You have the wider radiator.

 

What size should I buy?
Could anyone recommend a good brand?

 

I too was in the same boat recently while looking for my 300 powered F100. I was quoted a recore of over twice the amount of a new one. After a little shopping I found a new brass one for $180 shipped. It is Spectra part #CU558. Don't settle for an aluminum/ plastic one. Good luck.

 

Ok, I am pretending I have a 1982 f150 with a 300, and I need a radiator. First thing I do is look online at

Autozone. First one I see is a B558 for 237.99. Made for one with A/C
Next one is a B557 for 165.99. Made for without A/C

Next is to verify if the prices are close with another local store, that in my area is

Advance Auto. I look online. They have one for 173.99 and another for 146.99. There was one review, the guy said the radiator was a little different at the top and he had to do a little rigging to get the fan shroud to fit back on the top of the radiator. I am surprised though, usually advance and autozone are pretty close in price.

Next I look at rockauto. You can get a lot of info from rockauto's site on dimensions and part numbers/manufacturers.

SPECTRA PREMIUM / COOLING DEPOT Part # CU557 {Click Info Link for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} 21-1/2" Core Length
w/o AC $145.79


SPECTRA PREMIUM / COOLING DEPOT Part # CU558 {Click Info Link for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} 27-1/2" Core Length
w/AC or Heavy Duty Cooling $164.79


PRO Part # 8010557 {Click Info Link for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} Copper/Brass
w/ 1.25" Core Depth; w/ 21 1/2 inch Core Length $175.89


VISTA-PRO Part # 433557 {#557, 9557} Ready-Rad; Mounting: Channel
W/H.D. COOLING; W/O AC $222.79


PRO Part # 8010558 {Click Info Link for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers}
w/ 27 1/2" Core$229.79


VISTA-PRO Part # 433558 {#558, 9558} Ready-Rad; Mounting: Channel
W/AC; W/MAX COOLING $250.79

Looking at the above I do not see a significant savings at rockauto like I usually do. But if I wanted to keep looking, I would go to ebay and amazon, and using the above part numbers do a search on their sites and see what came up.

If the local stores are inline with everyone else's prices, I usually buy from them. If I have a problem or don't like it, or it leaks or fails, I can just take it back instead of dealing with shipping it back to someone online. But if the online price with shipping is significantly cheaper, then I usually go that route and take the risk.

 

Another thing about advance auto is their is always coupon codes for online. I just used one that was for 40 bucks off 100 online order. Selected pick up at store and was there 10 minutes later with a sh eating grin :-)

 

Not trying to hijack but retailmenot is an awesome site/app. Maybe it will help some people out.

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

 

I got the aluminum core with plastic tanks from O'Reillys as it was cheaper than the copper/brass version from Autozone. Unfortunately I found that the plastic tanks are a touch wider than the originals, so the flanges don't fit flush over them. I returned it and will be getting the copper/brass version. Mine doesn't have A/C, so I have the smaller radiator, but I think the flanges will be the same, so something to consider. If you buy local, you can always test it out.

 

An aluminum radiator will cool about twice as well as a copper/brass unit for a given thickness. However, you must keep good coolant in the system if you go with aluminum as running just water or worn out coolant will quickly cause corrosion. Having said that, it is highly likely you have an aluminum heater core so the same caveat goes for it. And, if you have an aluminum intake it is imperative you keep good coolant in the system.

I run an aluminum radiator, heater core, and intake and change coolant every two years. And, by the way, most new vehicles have a mix of aluminum and steel so also require routine coolant changes.