Radiator Replacement
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
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From: Ashton, MD.
Radiator Replacement
So my radiator exploded a few days ago and I had posted this on FB thinking I was going to let a shop do it but I got an outrageous quote. So I guess I’m going to try to do this myself. Not really sure where to start... I guess parts is a good place.
Can anyone recommend a GOOD direct replacement? I’m not looking to go budget style. I do have a transmission cooler and I notice some replacement radiators come with a transmission cooler? Is this right? I don’t usually see them in the pictures. Kind of confused. Also need some info on any and all replacement parts that go along with the radiator. Plumbing? Fittings?
Also will prob need some video or other threads to walk me through the process. Any links would be really appreciated.
Kinda down on this truck right now to be honest. I felt I was pretty close to just driving and enjoying this thing but it’s one thing after another.
Can anyone recommend a GOOD direct replacement? I’m not looking to go budget style. I do have a transmission cooler and I notice some replacement radiators come with a transmission cooler? Is this right? I don’t usually see them in the pictures. Kind of confused. Also need some info on any and all replacement parts that go along with the radiator. Plumbing? Fittings?
Also will prob need some video or other threads to walk me through the process. Any links would be really appreciated.
Kinda down on this truck right now to be honest. I felt I was pretty close to just driving and enjoying this thing but it’s one thing after another.
Elder User
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Ebay has lots of quality made radiators, and your year model truck is somewhat forgiving in the 2 mounts on top that hold the radiator. However, here is my experience. My new one, the threaded holes for the transmission cooler line barbs were "drawn" from welding too fast by manufacturing. So, I had to tap the brand new threads and still had to torque pretty hard to get the barbs in the hole to attach rubber transmission lines. It doesn't fit exact but well enough, and it cools GREAT. Also, you may experience either upper or lower inlet or outlet to be slightly different size, which doesn't sound like much, but can be an issue when you cannot get one tight enough.
I put a similar Ebay radiator in my 97 supercab, as I did my 83 reg cab, and I had to take an old radiator hose and cut off few inches and use it as liner, or sleeve, for new lower hose and use double worm gear clamps to get it to seal. Those are the main issues with aftermarket ebay radiators, the inlets and outlets may be incorrect size, and threaded bungs for trans cooler may or may not give you fits getting a hose barb fitting in there. They do cool VERY well.
I put a similar Ebay radiator in my 97 supercab, as I did my 83 reg cab, and I had to take an old radiator hose and cut off few inches and use it as liner, or sleeve, for new lower hose and use double worm gear clamps to get it to seal. Those are the main issues with aftermarket ebay radiators, the inlets and outlets may be incorrect size, and threaded bungs for trans cooler may or may not give you fits getting a hose barb fitting in there. They do cool VERY well.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
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From: Ashton, MD.
Thank you. The shop was trying to charge me $380 for a carquest plastic 1 row unit. I’d rather pay $300 for a really good unit.
Lead Driver
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Nearly all replacement radiators include an internal transmission cooler. That way vendors only have to stock one part number, whether for a vehicle with an automatic or manual transmission. If you have a manual transmission and don't need the cooler, it's no big deal. Simply leave the dust caps on the fittings.
Here's my experience with a replacement radiator:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lant-leak.html
Here's the radiator I purchased for my '84 351W. I've worked it hard and am very pleased with it:
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/Prod...220452/1123838
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Ashton, MD.
Nearly all replacement radiators include an internal transmission cooler. That way vendors only have to stock one part number, whether for a vehicle with an automatic or manual transmission. If you have a manual transmission and don't need the cooler, it's no big deal. Simply leave the dust caps on the fittings.
Here's my experience with a replacement radiator:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lant-leak.html
Here's the radiator I purchased for my '84 351W. I've worked it hard and am very pleased with it:
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/Prod...220452/1123838
Here's my experience with a replacement radiator:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...lant-leak.html
Here's the radiator I purchased for my '84 351W. I've worked it hard and am very pleased with it:
https://www.radiatorexpress.com/Prod...220452/1123838
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,182
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Moving right along, are you talking about an external transmission cooler, the type that is totally separate from the radiator? Or are you talking about the cooler built into the radiator? If the latter, your existing lines should bolt right up, in theory at least...
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
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From: Ashton, MD.
Okay, first things first. The preferred term is gender confirmation cooler, not trans. The T-word is considered offensive.
Moving right along, are you talking about an external transmission cooler, the type that is totally separate from the radiator? Or are you talking about the cooler built into the radiator? If the latter, your existing lines should bolt right up, in theory at least...
Moving right along, are you talking about an external transmission cooler, the type that is totally separate from the radiator? Or are you talking about the cooler built into the radiator? If the latter, your existing lines should bolt right up, in theory at least...
Yeah I'm talking about totally separate type.
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From: Angier, NC
I got my radiator thru Rock Auto.
My old one was Copper / Brass and the new one is ALUM, / Plastic.
I was not happy on the A / P only because when they first came out the rubber gaskets would leak between the A & P.
Now days everything comes with A / P radiators and have not leaked like the old days so I am on board with it now.
Dave ----
My old one was Copper / Brass and the new one is ALUM, / Plastic.
I was not happy on the A / P only because when they first came out the rubber gaskets would leak between the A & P.
Now days everything comes with A / P radiators and have not leaked like the old days so I am on board with it now.
Dave ----
Elder User
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Ok, just looked it up for you, this fit mine= KKS 3 row, 1980-1984 Ford F-150/250/350 alum radiator v8, $199 back Inc 2018, think I had to pay shipping. Think that was $54 if I recall. Seller autoparts-great. My pass side radiator top mount bracket is sitting in place with one bolt.
If you use the radiator cap they give you, it’ll hit driver side upper rad mount a small amount. So, my driver side rad upper mount just yesterday became held on with 1 bolt also. Tired of fighting the radiator cap on and off and busting knuckles.
you could take either mount off and work them down with a grinder but one bolt each seems fine in the top mounts.
for some reason $300 sticks in my mind for that project. So that likely included new hoses and maybe antifreeze.
well worth it for all aluminum, I thought. Even though I had to tap the auto trans cooler line holes. If you weren’t going to use the trans cooler in the radiator, you might could get by with alum 2 row, maybe save more.
If you use the radiator cap they give you, it’ll hit driver side upper rad mount a small amount. So, my driver side rad upper mount just yesterday became held on with 1 bolt also. Tired of fighting the radiator cap on and off and busting knuckles.
you could take either mount off and work them down with a grinder but one bolt each seems fine in the top mounts.
for some reason $300 sticks in my mind for that project. So that likely included new hoses and maybe antifreeze.
well worth it for all aluminum, I thought. Even though I had to tap the auto trans cooler line holes. If you weren’t going to use the trans cooler in the radiator, you might could get by with alum 2 row, maybe save more.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2014
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From: Ashton, MD.
Got the truck home today. Didn’t get much time to look around but I did notice the wire/boot to the temperature sensor for the gauge was basically rotting off. I doubt my gauge has been working. Might explain why I didn’t notice if the truck was running hot. Hope I didn’t damage anything. Hoping to put some water in it and see where the radiator failed. The hoses seem fine.
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