Radiator for 56 F100
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Elder User
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Radiator for 56 F100
I need a radiator for a 1956 F100 to fit into the stock support. The truck has a 390 motor so ideally the radiator hose fittings will be upper on the passenger side and lower on the drivers side. What is everybody using? Champion makes some lower priced radiators but nothing with the hose fittings where I need them.
Thanks,
Thanks,
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 721
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From: Forked River NJ
I need a radiator for a 1956 F100 to fit into the stock support. The truck has a 390 motor so ideally the radiator hose fittings will be upper on the passenger side and lower on the drivers side. What is everybody using? Champion makes some lower priced radiators but nothing with the hose fittings where I need them.
Thanks,
Thanks,
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2016
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I saw the radiators on Mid Fifty's website. I was hoping not to spend $500-$600 for one. I did that with a 69 Mach 1 I have and even though it works fine with no issues, it's doesn't seem like it was worth the $600 I paid for it.
I don't need a stock looking radiator. Just one that fits into the stock support and with the fittings in the correct location. Aluminum is fine, they are lighter. Copper/Brass are easier to repair, but heavier, and their are no radiator shops within about 40 miles of where I live if I need it repaired. Many years ago, by design, aluminum radiators were more efficient. But I think now aluminum and copper/brass have about the same efficiency.
I don't need a stock looking radiator. Just one that fits into the stock support and with the fittings in the correct location. Aluminum is fine, they are lighter. Copper/Brass are easier to repair, but heavier, and their are no radiator shops within about 40 miles of where I live if I need it repaired. Many years ago, by design, aluminum radiators were more efficient. But I think now aluminum and copper/brass have about the same efficiency.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,832
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From: Mason City, Iowa
I saw the radiators on Mid Fifty's website. I was hoping not to spend $500-$600 for one. I did that with a 69 Mach 1 I have and even though it works fine with no issues, it's doesn't seem like it was worth the $600 I paid for it.
I don't need a stock looking radiator. Just one that fits into the stock support and with the fittings in the correct location. Aluminum is fine, they are lighter. Copper/Brass are easier to repair, but heavier, and their are no radiator shops within about 40 miles of where I live if I need it repaired. Many years ago, by design, aluminum radiators were more efficient. But I think now aluminum and copper/brass have about the same efficiency.
I don't need a stock looking radiator. Just one that fits into the stock support and with the fittings in the correct location. Aluminum is fine, they are lighter. Copper/Brass are easier to repair, but heavier, and their are no radiator shops within about 40 miles of where I live if I need it repaired. Many years ago, by design, aluminum radiators were more efficient. But I think now aluminum and copper/brass have about the same efficiency.
Lead Driver
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From: Wentzville, MO
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Check this out..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/301851311327
https://www.ebay.com/itm/301851311327
The frustrating part on my end, this truck is an older restoration and was in garage storage since 1986. Just prior to storage the original radiator was rebuilt with a 4-row core and trans cooler added. The top tank had a crack in it about 2-1/2" long. How it happened I don't know. But the original tanks on it are worn so thin and have a lot of solder repairs on them to be reliable any more. Plus, if replacing the tanks was an option there are no radiator shops in my area.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Wentzville, MO
My radiator guy is pretty good but says no one makes the core with the bottom 1/2 of the top tank on it any more. I really didn’t shop around too hard after that. I saw the radiator at a show a year or so ago and finally broke down and bought one. Painted black it looks very similar to an original except the Upper neck is moved all the way to the passenger side. I’m running a Y Block and asked why he didn’t have one with the upper neck in the center. He said they get better cooling with it further over on the side.
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Elder User
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They are correct, with the upper and lower hose fittings on opposite sides, they are a little more efficient. I learned that the hard way after setting up my 69 Mach 1 original with both fittings on the passenger side. 1970 and later Ford made the switch to opposite sides with the fittings. It would cost too much now to convert it.
I can solder the crack in the radiator for the 56 F100. But it looks like a fatigue crack simply from age so a solder repair probably won't last very long.
I can solder the crack in the radiator for the 56 F100. But it looks like a fatigue crack simply from age so a solder repair probably won't last very long.
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From: northwestern Ontario
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Thanks for all the input. It will either be an aluminum radiator from eBay that has the correct fitting locations or a Champion and I will have to sort out the upper hose, since Champion only puts the upper hose fitting in the center.
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The Champion radiators look fairly well made. I know people use them in Mustangs fairly often. I'm leaning that route. Summit Racing sells radiator hose kits that have aluminized steel straight, 45, and 90 degree fittings for those hard to fit radiator hoses. That might work to get the upper hose to fit. Where did you get that fan shroud? I'm currently setup with an 18" clutch fan and would like to get a new shroud. I want to try to avoid an electric fan setup.