Radiator recommendations
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 230
From: Amarillo, TX
Radiator recommendations
So I'm looking for a radiator for my rebuilt 400 going into my 60 F250 4x4. Not a super high performance build - TMI pistons, .020 overbore, stock heads & 670 Holley carb. Have been looking at 2-row aluminium radiators at Summitt Racing. Will something in the 27-31" wide x 19-22" tall be sufficient for my cooling needs?
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Northern Michigan
My original rad in my 351m f250 is a two core copper 18" high by 24 wide". 432 square inches of exchanger. 27x19 is 513 sq inches 31x22 is 682 square inches. The aluminum two cores are really more like a three core copper because the tubes are deeper/bigger. These measurements do not include the tanks. Tanks don't really dissipate heat like the cores. I have a ridiculously over sized radiator on my rig, but I just happened to have it laying around. I never had a problem with my original even running with out a fan. Of course I couldn't stop for long and only developed 150 hp. An old rule of thumb was 1 square inch of exchanger to 1 cubic inch displacement. I would imagine that 27x19 is plenty, and 31x22 is PLENTY. There is almost no reason not to go big except for space and cost.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
All of my reading supports Kevin's statement - aluminum is better than copper at the same size. That's what I'm running in Rusty and will in Dad's truck. However, you do have to keep good coolant in them.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 3
From: In the woods of Oregon
I'm running this https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p...433_0240351985 . It's cheap, warrantied and works, BUT I haven't ran it hard in high heat, up hill, pulling a trailer yet, so take it with a grain of salt. If I was planning to tow I would go with a larger radiator just to be safe.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 230
From: Amarillo, TX
So after getting measurements from several of the universal aluminium radiators, I'm having trouble finding one tall & narrow enough to fit the existing space in the core support. I have about 27" W x 24" T. most of the ones I'm finding are 27.5" or wider, but only 19" tall. I'm considering a factory replacement from a 70-79 F250, but I'm not sure about the measurements given on the parts places websites. Can anybody with a pre-79 maybe get measurements of your radiator?
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Northern Michigan
My aforementioned original radiator is a total of ~25 inches tall. Total width is 26 5/8ths. Bolt centers are 25 11/16ths" wide by 12" tall. The lower bolt center is 6" above lower edge of lower tank. Again, 432 sq/in. To my knowledge, pre 79, IE: 1978, is the same as 1979.
Crossflows are out of the question. Radiators - Downflow Radiator Style - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
Griffin Radiators for 1960 Ford Truck 18x26 = 468
"1960 ford truck radiator" google is your friend. A friend that want's to know everything about you.
Crossflows are out of the question. Radiators - Downflow Radiator Style - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
Griffin Radiators for 1960 Ford Truck 18x26 = 468
"1960 ford truck radiator" google is your friend. A friend that want's to know everything about you.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 138
From: Northern California
My recommendation
Champion 3 row radiator 70's Ford Pickups - CC433
You just aren't going to find a better radiator for the old ford truck applications in all aspects you could consider (price, quality, fit, function, etc). I bought mine on ebay. Just google the part number and you will find a gazillion places that sell it; my only recommendation here is to keep your purchase with a reputable business.
One note - as you can see in my first pic, it does not bolt to the brackets on the aft side of the radiator as the stock radiator did. It bolts directly to the core support and the forward brackets on the radiator. I simply moved my nut clips from the core support brackets and installed them onto the forward radiator brackets; bolts went in from the forward side of the core support threading into said nut clips. If your hardware is old don't hesitate replacing it; to cheap to keep. Especially when it will be holding onto such a beautiful component.
Installed:
Out of the box:
Website:
CC433
You just aren't going to find a better radiator for the old ford truck applications in all aspects you could consider (price, quality, fit, function, etc). I bought mine on ebay. Just google the part number and you will find a gazillion places that sell it; my only recommendation here is to keep your purchase with a reputable business.
One note - as you can see in my first pic, it does not bolt to the brackets on the aft side of the radiator as the stock radiator did. It bolts directly to the core support and the forward brackets on the radiator. I simply moved my nut clips from the core support brackets and installed them onto the forward radiator brackets; bolts went in from the forward side of the core support threading into said nut clips. If your hardware is old don't hesitate replacing it; to cheap to keep. Especially when it will be holding onto such a beautiful component.
Installed:
Out of the box:
Website:
CC433
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 353
Likes: 1
I purchased a Champion one for my 62 unibody. I am welder by trade sine the 80's and the welds on it good for the price of the unit. I have a 460 in my truck with two electric fans and it cools just fine.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,623
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From: Albuquerque
If you ever get over to ABQ I have a spare Be Cool "direct mount" with fan that I no longer need. Advertised good to 350hp as I remember. One of two on there website. Like new and cheap to a fellow member.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 230
From: Amarillo, TX
Got a part number so I can check dimensions?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 230
From: Amarillo, TX
Out of the box:
That's a nice piece; almost exactly the look I'm going for! So the electric fans do a good job of keeping it cool? Was measuring last night & will gave to cut off about 1/2 of my factory fan spacer to make the engine driven fan work, and will have to find or fab a shroud as well. Hadn't considered electric fans before, but the price for the ones from champion is pretty reasonable.
That's a nice piece; almost exactly the look I'm going for! So the electric fans do a good job of keeping it cool? Was measuring last night & will gave to cut off about 1/2 of my factory fan spacer to make the engine driven fan work, and will have to find or fab a shroud as well. Hadn't considered electric fans before, but the price for the ones from champion is pretty reasonable.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
Product Search - Be Cool
Good to 400hp, mine has a shroud and large fan.
you wont be able to use the original shroud/engine fan with out some work.
Good to 400hp, mine has a shroud and large fan.
you wont be able to use the original shroud/engine fan with out some work.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 230
From: Amarillo, TX
I just got my champion radiator delivered last week & am working on modifying my core support to work with it. I went ahead & went with their electric fan kit as well, just in case the engine driven fan won't work. Beautiful finish - it's going to look awesome under my hood with my freshly-refinished 400!
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