Hey Guys,
So I'm putting the rad from my body donor truck (1978 F150 2wd 460 Auto) into my project truck (1978 F250 4x4 400 manual) I believe its a "super cooling" rad because it measures around 4.5" thick, 27" wide and 30" tall, and looks massive in the engine bay! The original measures around 1.5" thinner and 5" shorter in height. Now my problem, I ordered rad hoses for my truck as per stock, needless to say they didn't fit. The upper rad hose was a bit too long, I could make it work. The lower rad hose was completely wrong, cause the rad is taller! Does anyone know if formed hoses that will work for me exist? My parts guy wasn't having a lot of luck. Or do I need to go with the universal flexible hoses? I'm hoping I'm not the first to have this issue! Thanks!!

 

I used the stock 1974 F250 4x4 360 hoses with my old 460 and super cool radiator swap. They worked fine.

 

My 73/460/SC radiator uses a flex on top and a stock lower, cut it just below the ps belt and has a piece of muffler tube to drop it low enough to get to radiator. Not the prettiest but works well enough.

Maybe one from a Super Camper Special might be the ticket????

 

When I did this same radiator swap with a 351m I used a gates/ecr part # 21090. See if you can find an equivalent. The super cooler radiator bottom extends goes down further than other radiators and requires a special hose.

 

I have a351M in my 1977 f150 2wd. I got my hoses (super cooling) from NAPA. Upper #7757, lower #7799. Hope this helps.

 

Formed hoses can work. You have to go off of the radiator rather than the engine on your application. But also keep in mind that particular engine may not have had that particular radiator. In my case I have a weird combination - a non heavy duty radiator in my 74F100 and a 390 FE engine. Sounds normal, but the 390 is from a 67 Fairlane, and that engine's thermostat elbow and water pump (lower hose) outlet are way different than a 74 F100 390. Also, outlet/inlet diameters were different. Gates makes reducers and I had to use one on my radiator.

 

Thanks guys! The issue with the lower rad hose is the big crossmember that runs in front of the engine, it'd almost need two bends in the hose to clear it. I did think of making a steel one and then use hose to attach it to the pump and rad. Thanks for the part numbers, I'll look into those!

 

The lower 360 hose cleared the crossmember in my truck.

 

My 79 SC F-250 has what I believe is the Supercooler rad as it too is very thick same dimensions as given before. I did not change the bottom, but di replace the top with a Gates from AutoZone. For 79 460. It was too long by 1.5" so I cut it and installed with the good SS T-bolt clamps. Worked fine, although the forming is not as good as they were years ago. At some point when I have more time I will have SS tubing bent to shape and use short silicon hose instead. I like the bullet proof aspect of a set up like that. I am also going to have an aluminum shroud made that is deeper and have it so it splits in half to make removal of the fan and accessories easier.

 

Tried 360 rad hoses today, Diameter was too large and bends were wrong. I'm going to go back to the original ones and stretch the lower with a piece of pipe and clamps. I'd like to avoid the universal route if possible, just think formed look cleaner.