Radiator for engine swap?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
Radiator for engine swap?
I'm a little strange, so I'm building a 300 six for my '72 F250. Current engine is a worn out 360. Obviously the radiator won't be right. I see LOTS of new radiators for sale- How do I determine which one to get? Even just within the year and engine, there seem to be a number of different configurations. Try to get the closest size? They are all expressed in core size, as opposed to overall dimensions. So how do I figure out what will fit? I have a radiator from a donor 240 I picked up, and it is tiny compared to mounting space.
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Texas, near San Antonio
As far as I understand radiators, it just needs to fit in the opening in the core support. I am planning on getting an aluminum 3 row with built in trans cooler. When I inquired about it, I was told to measure the opening in my core support, but for the truck, in your case '72 F250, it's a standard size.
Is there any reason the radiator you have wont work? Of course, where the hoses run can make a difference, i.e. top left or right and bottom left or right.
Is there any reason the radiator you have wont work? Of course, where the hoses run can make a difference, i.e. top left or right and bottom left or right.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
I'll have to see how far the fittings are, and if they're the right diameter. It's also 46 years old. I'd sort of like it to look semi-stock, instead of long flex hoses.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
After the 240 in my '69 F100 puked the #5 piston 3 months ago and destroyed the block, I replaced the blown engine with an inline 300. I replaced my smaller 2 row radiator with a large copper/brass 3 row. I did not change out the core support for one with a larger opening. Works flawlessly.
This is the radiator I installed.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...Radiator&pos=0
This is the radiator I installed.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...Radiator&pos=0
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
That radiator looks like it would work well. My radiator support has a pretty big opening. Not a bad price for a brass/copper radiator. I don't like the look of the new aluminum and plastic radiators in a vintage truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,241
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From: Rockville, Ct.
Wouldn't the original work? When I had my 65' it had the larger radiator and a 300 I6. I had no problems.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
First, I'd have to jury rig hoses, as they're in the wrong spot (and possibly the wrong diameter), and 2), the radiator is 46 years old. I'm putting a fresh rebuild in, and want it to be reliable.
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That is perfectly logical. So the new radiator is the larger one correct?
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