replacing radiator
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 510
Likes: 1
replacing radiator
Hey guys can I get the procedure on replacing my radiator? I'm going from a 1 core to 2 core radiator but it should be direct swap. Never done a radiator before and I always come here for help. My truck is a 88 F150 with a 5.0 and 5 speed manual. I know I won't have to work about transmission lines so it should be fairly easy. And any advice would help too. Thank you fellas. Also for a previous thread I made I did find out my rear end is a lsd rear end. Someone installed an aftermarket one in, it was done good because no metal shavings and haven't had any problems. I put the friction modifier in there too
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Do you have any problem with overheating now? If not don't put a 2 core rad in that truck it will just result in excessively long heatup times and poor heat in the cab. All of the smaller low powered motors from this era suffer from this, I have seen it first hand with 4cyl Rangers and older 5.0 F150s, and have read about it with I6 trucks.
As far as swapping the rad it couldn't be much easier with a manual trans, disconnect the rad hoses and drain the coolant, and then unfasten the rad and lift it out.
As far as swapping the rad it couldn't be much easier with a manual trans, disconnect the rad hoses and drain the coolant, and then unfasten the rad and lift it out.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
i have a 88 ford with the 4.9
I know when I replaced my radiator when it leaked,
there is a plug off the old radiator you have to install on the new one, its located underneath the radiator fill cap on the passenger side, cant remember which size wrench I used.
also, make sure not to damage the plastic shroud, if you still have yours. haha.
I f-d mine up, and tried to get a replacement, but could never find a exact fit one online, for the plastic shroud.
if you get new hoses, a good tip I seen was to trim them a little shorter if they are making contact with the auto tension pulley.
I know when I replaced my radiator when it leaked,
there is a plug off the old radiator you have to install on the new one, its located underneath the radiator fill cap on the passenger side, cant remember which size wrench I used.
also, make sure not to damage the plastic shroud, if you still have yours. haha.
I f-d mine up, and tried to get a replacement, but could never find a exact fit one online, for the plastic shroud.
if you get new hoses, a good tip I seen was to trim them a little shorter if they are making contact with the auto tension pulley.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 632
Likes: 41
Since you're already doing all that draining of the cooling system, now is the time to replace the thermostat, and if your temp gauge isn't working properly perhaps even the temp sensor. Saves you from draining or spilling fluid if done separately. New hoses and clamps too. Do it once, do it right.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 902
Likes: 119
Do you have any problem with overheating now? If not don't put a 2 core rad in that truck it will just result in excessively long heatup times and poor heat in the cab. All of the smaller low powered motors from this era suffer from this, I have seen it first hand with 4cyl Rangers and older 5.0 F150s, and have read about it with I6 trucks.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 395
Likes: 11
I just went to the large radiator. I put A/C in years ago. The radiator failed so I decided to go with the larger unit. All I had to do it get a different shroud since the the original shroud didn't allow any room to put the cooling fan back on. I got a shroud off the internet, simple swap, works great, no problem with heat in the cab! Warms up like it always has, it has to be better in the summer using the A/C.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, KS
Before you replace the radiator, I recommend you flush the cooling system, drain it, replace hoses and thermostat. That way the engine and heater core will be flushed before you connect a new radiator. You don't want to pump old crap right into a new radiator if you can avoid it. I found what looked like stop leak once.
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