radiator core support
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
radiator core support
Hello again,
I have an 87 F-350. I am in the process of swapping the 6.9 for a 7.3. I would feel a lot better if I didn't have to lift a 1000 lb. engine over the top of the core support. I have a 2 ton cherry picker that will do it, but the image is scary ! I cut the top of the core support out of the donar truck, and pulled the motor without any problems. I want to remove the core support out of the 87. Is it absolutely necessary to pull the fenders, or can I just unbolt the core support ?
Peter A
I have an 87 F-350. I am in the process of swapping the 6.9 for a 7.3. I would feel a lot better if I didn't have to lift a 1000 lb. engine over the top of the core support. I have a 2 ton cherry picker that will do it, but the image is scary ! I cut the top of the core support out of the donar truck, and pulled the motor without any problems. I want to remove the core support out of the 87. Is it absolutely necessary to pull the fenders, or can I just unbolt the core support ?
Peter A
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 25
From: NJ
Unbolt and remove the radiator support. It's just two big bolts to the frame and a few small ones to each fender. Quick and easy. I've had many engines in and out of these trucks and removing the rad support is the only way I've ever done it.
Hopefully the one you cut was rotted out, in decent condition they go for around $700.
Hopefully the one you cut was rotted out, in decent condition they go for around $700.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
Thanks all for the advice, and yes the one that got cut was rotted at the bottom. Where do you get new bottom rubber bushings ? The local Napa store counter guy just looked at me like I was crazy to even ask.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
Thanks for the info. Spent the afternoon pulling the radiator core support out of the 87. Not that big of a deal. Just time consuming. I'll be ordering the bushings along with the cab mounts, since the bolts and washers are still intact. If these core supports are really that hard to get, I might just spend some time removing the support out of an 89 F-250 that I have been using for a spare parts vehicle, and selling it on the marketplace. It's a no rust California truck. Core support should be fine.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Nevada
Here is a site that has new 87 - 91 core support for $279.00.
https://www.autobodyspecialt.com/cgi...tion&key=F-255
Charlie
https://www.autobodyspecialt.com/cgi...tion&key=F-255
Charlie
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Here is a site that has new 87 - 91 core support for $279.00.
https://www.autobodyspecialt.com/cgi...tion&key=F-255
Charlie
https://www.autobodyspecialt.com/cgi...tion&key=F-255
Charlie
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 25
From: NJ
Indeed. There are two radiators in these trucks. The short+wide and the tall+narrow. I think the short radiator was less common and may share the gas radiator support (possibly with minor modification). My truck had factory air conditioning and has the taller radiator and support. There was a company making new parts of the lower hoop to repair yours or convert a new repop gas rad support to diesel tall radiator, I don't know that they still make those. I was going to buy one of those kits and a new rad support but found a rust free AZ rad support.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
The radiator support that is in my parts truck is for a 7.3 with AC and the large radiator. I think that the major difference in the core supports is with or without A/c It is identical to the support in my 87 XLT dually.
Peter A.
Peter A.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: South of Redmond, WA
I go to the junk yard a couple times a week so which one should I be looking for? It's just the diesel core supports?