Radiator Leak
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 138
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From: Westminster
Radiator Leak
1979 F150 Ranger Lariat 2wd
351M w/AC, automatic
Ok, so this weekend my radiator gets a leak, and its probably time for a new one, I don't think I would know where to go to have the leak repaired, or if its even worthwhile to fix the old one.
My current Rad has the Trans Cooler lines in the base, and I have AC, but its not working, I removed the Compressor when I was doing engine work, and never put it back, and not even sure it worked, it didn't work when I bought the truck, so I'm not against getting a Rad without AC connections.
Now I want to know about compatible radiators, I don't think the junkyard is a place I should look for one, right ?, and where should I look for it, is there someplace that rebuilds them ? but what besides a rad for my truck will work, like a Lincoln or van radiator, I'm open to any and all suggestions.
351M w/AC, automatic
Ok, so this weekend my radiator gets a leak, and its probably time for a new one, I don't think I would know where to go to have the leak repaired, or if its even worthwhile to fix the old one.
My current Rad has the Trans Cooler lines in the base, and I have AC, but its not working, I removed the Compressor when I was doing engine work, and never put it back, and not even sure it worked, it didn't work when I bought the truck, so I'm not against getting a Rad without AC connections.
Now I want to know about compatible radiators, I don't think the junkyard is a place I should look for one, right ?, and where should I look for it, is there someplace that rebuilds them ? but what besides a rad for my truck will work, like a Lincoln or van radiator, I'm open to any and all suggestions.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 182
From: Oakland, AR
Check the yellow pages for a radiator repair shop. If they can't fix it they can probably get a new one. And yes you can also check the junk yards, but pickings are slim. There are several different radiators that went into the trucks, depending on engine, transmission, with or with out AC.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 48
From: Great American SouthWest
Check the phone book or google for a local radiator shop. They may be able to repair yours. If not, Spectra Premium (AutoZone) makes oem-style radiators that seem to hold up pretty well.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
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On my '78 with 400 - a close cousin to your engine - I used a Champion radiator. They all have trans cooler connections in the lower tank. Champion threads are 1/4" pipe vs OE which is 1/8" pipe so a bushing is needed from the hardware store. It has worked well for me and cost is reasonable.
Champion is available in 2, 3 or 4 core thickness. Most of the time 3 core is plenty. 4 core gives more cooling and needs a really strong fan to move air through the 4 cores at a standstill.
Champion is available in 2, 3 or 4 core thickness. Most of the time 3 core is plenty. 4 core gives more cooling and needs a really strong fan to move air through the 4 cores at a standstill.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
You won't unless you bring it to a radiator shop for their testing and opinion. Many junkyards don't do cash refunds, no matter what anyone else says. The radiator shop should be able to repair the old one as long as the metal has not been made extra thin by using acidic coolant. It is difficult to do better than new, except for the cost. My experience is to get the largest radiator that will fit, especially if you have hot summers and decide to re-hook the A/C.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 7
From: Durham, NC
A radiator shop will charge around $100 or less if they are reputable and not gouging. Factor that in with what you want. With a shop, you will end up with an original copper / brass boiled out clean and all painted black with the fill hole polished. So to me, I can find a junk yard rad and take it straight to a shop and come out half price of an aluminum.
Also, if you go with aluminum, I recommend not to skimp for the plastic sides. Go all aluminum or bust. I've had no luck with the plastic/aluminum ones.
Also, if you go with aluminum, I recommend not to skimp for the plastic sides. Go all aluminum or bust. I've had no luck with the plastic/aluminum ones.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
I agree. I've seen them leak at the plastic/aluminum interface. The "fix" for that is to throw away the whole thing and start over.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 7
From: Durham, NC
Same here. And they don't cool enough. I've went through 3 on projects that came with them and the rad was the culprit. All 3 were different reasons.
1. leaked at interface.
1. twisted and split plastic and it wasn't noticeable. Took pressure to find it.
1. that would not regulate / cool regardless.
It's common for the aluminum coils to twist and look funny from the front but still be intact.
On another note, my rad shop dude declares he can even fix an original rad that catches a run-a-way fan with 2 rows of destroyed coils for less than a new rad. I haven't taken him up on it yet but I don't plan to recycle ANY of my old ones no matter how much they leak or are destroyed. Plus recycle is at it's lowest right now. Doubt one would bring $8 - $10???
1. leaked at interface.
1. twisted and split plastic and it wasn't noticeable. Took pressure to find it.
1. that would not regulate / cool regardless.
It's common for the aluminum coils to twist and look funny from the front but still be intact.
On another note, my rad shop dude declares he can even fix an original rad that catches a run-a-way fan with 2 rows of destroyed coils for less than a new rad. I haven't taken him up on it yet but I don't plan to recycle ANY of my old ones no matter how much they leak or are destroyed. Plus recycle is at it's lowest right now. Doubt one would bring $8 - $10???
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 138
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From: Westminster
Yes...I think this weekend, I'll hit the local u pull it junkyard, and see if I can find a matching radiator to drop off at a repair shop, then all I'll have to do is swap them when its fixed.
What vehicles have a compatible radiator for my search ???
What vehicles have a compatible radiator for my search ???
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
Hollander says there were two possibilities: 23-3/4" wide and 26-1/4" wide. Which do you have?
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Senior User
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From: Westminster
I went and checked, and I'm assuming your asking about just the core, its 26 1/4 wide by 19 1/4 high, the top portion with the fill cap is about 2 3/4 wide.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
Here's what they say will interchange:
Bronco 1978-79 with 26-1/4" wide
Ford truck 1965-79 F-100 through 350; 8 cylinder gas engine with 26-1/4"wide
They also say that one from a manual transmission truck "may" not have the transmission cooler in the lower tank of the radiator and then the tanks would need to be swapped. Also the radiators from these trucks came in different capacities, so since yours had the A/C, you should look for one with the higher capacity. (Check the thickness of the core.)
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Westminster
I went to the junkyard today, I found a 1988 E-150 Van, had a real nice and clean looking radiator in it, and it looks like the right one, but I just wasn't sure it was, and don't want to take that chance for 40 bucks, I know there are a few old parts guys on this site, but I don't remember their names, so anybody have a way to get in touch with these guys, and see if this van is compatible ?