Radiator troubles
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: indiana
Radiator troubles
Well i just purchased a rust free 76 f150 2wd 360 three speed on the tree. The truck has been setting some time and in getting things in order to fire the motor of course i pulled hoses, radiator, replaced water pump flushed motor and all . Took radiator to shop to have tested and its junk. No biggie i think, I`ll just get a new one. Boy was i wrong. I must have bought the one off the line with this size radiator it is in a transition year i believe and just before all the emissions crap which is good for me but the radiator size must be the rarest thin in the ford lineup. I have searched the net for two days now looking for one that will be a direct replacement without spending $500.00 to no avail. Any help on where to look would be greatly appreciated. Core size is 18.25 h x 24.25 w overall is 24.75 h x 26.5 w with the mounting on the grill side. Thanks Guys & Gals
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Well i just purchased a rust free 76 F150 2WD 360 three speed on the tree. The truck has been setting some time and in getting things in order to fire the motor of course i pulled hoses, radiator, replaced water pump flushed motor and all . Took radiator to shop to have tested and its junk. No biggie i think, I'll just get a new one.
Boy was i wrong. I must have bought the one off the line with this size radiator, it is in a transition year
i believe and just before all the emissions crap which is good for me but the radiator size must be the rarest thin in the ford lineup. 
I have searched the net for two days now looking for one that will be a direct replacement without spending $500.00 to no avail. Any help on where to look would be greatly appreciated.
Core size is 18.25 high x 24.25 wide overall is 24.75" high x 26.5" wide with the mounting on the grill side.
Boy was i wrong. I must have bought the one off the line with this size radiator, it is in a transition year
i believe and just before all the emissions crap which is good for me but the radiator size must be the rarest thin in the ford lineup. I have searched the net for two days now looking for one that will be a direct replacement without spending $500.00 to no avail. Any help on where to look would be greatly appreciated.
Core size is 18.25 high x 24.25 wide overall is 24.75" high x 26.5" wide with the mounting on the grill side.
1973/78 F100/350 with round headlamps: TWO different radiator supports, SEVERAL different sized radiators.
If your truck has the Super Cooling radiator (approx 26 1/4" wide x 24 11/16" high with a HUGE top tank) it uses a different radiator support and fan shroud.
There's only one other radiator support, so any standard, xtra cooling or A/C radiator (26 1/4" wide x between roughly 18 1/4" - 19 3/4" high ) will fit.
The thing is, you are buying a radiator from an auto parts store, so it will not match the original genuine Ford radiator.
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Jeffs bronco grave yard has OE replacements in super cooling and extra cooling manual trans and auto trans and they are around $300. Just look at the measurements in the description. Its wher e i got the replacement for my 79 and it bolted in with no issues.
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From: indiana
The problem I am seeing is that the ones with 26 1/4 wide core are 29 1/2 overall and that would be really pushing it getting between the radiator support mount that attaches to frame. The ones that are close to the right size have 1 1/2 inlet and 1 3/4 outlet and i need 1 /34 in 2 out. Maybe i`m missing something 
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Junior User
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From: indiana
Ok i went back out with my tape and noticed a second set of holes that are 3" out from the original mounting points so a 26" or 29 1/2" rad will fit in the space just 3" will be covered by the support. Not a big deal i would guess . Thanks guys.
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I found that the economical choices seemed to be for the wider core support opening. You will also notice ribs in the stamping of the core support that show how the initial forming of the metal accommodated all widths of the opening. On my '74 302/c4/power steering/manual brakes/non AC there was enough room to cut the opening wider from inside the engine bay. I used a hole saw to get the radius at the corners then a cut off wheel for the straight lines. Not an endorsement but I've had great service out of my champion radiator. Don't forget the shroud for cooling effeciency. I studied some of the Utube vids on fiberglass parts building. Watch some of the guys building subwoofer boxes for ideas.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: East Central Ia
I found that the economical choices seemed to be for the wider core support opening. You will also notice ribs in the stamping of the core support that show how the initial forming of the metal accommodated all widths of the opening. On my '74 302/c4/power steering/manual brakes/non AC there was enough room to cut the opening wider from inside the engine bay. I used a hole saw to get the radius at the corners then a cut off wheel for the straight lines. Not an endorsement but I've had great service out of my champion radiator. Don't forget the shroud for cooling effeciency. I studied some of the Utube vids on fiberglass parts building. Watch some of the guys building subwoofer boxes for ideas.
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Junior User
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From: indiana
i was going to try to reuse my stock shroud as its in good shape. But i eventually want to install a electric flex a lite fan and shroud. One hurdle at a time tho, Just went to rebuild my carb and found a crack in one of the brass tubes so may be looking for a new carb.
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