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I have a 1984 Ford F150 4.9L 300 I6. Its a ground up restoration I've been working on the last year (almost a year exactly - Feb 24). Everything was going great. I had pre-ordered/purchased a bunch of parts during the last 10-15 years, including my radiator. The radiator is a 558. It's the wide one. 557 is the smaller one. Anyway, it doesn't fit.
It seems as though it is too tall. I measured the core dimensions. They are 27 1/2" wide, 20 " tall, 1 1/4 " deep. Ford Text Manual says E0TZ 8005 AK (All) is supposed to be 27 1/2" wide, 19 9/16 " tall, 1 1/2 " deep. So, the one I have is 7/16 " too tall and a 1/4 " to deep. The depth, I am not worried about. It doesn't seem to affect the seating of the radiator. The height apparently is the issue.
If you look at the first photo, you will see that the top of the radiator is almost flush with the top of the radiator support. The second picture is of the top bracket, which obviously don't fit.
The third/fourth/fifth picture is of the bottom insulators. I am pretty sure they are positioned right. They are seated in the holes nicely, and flush with the core support bottom.
I want to buy a new radiator. I am looking at a copper/brass radiator from Radiator Express. Core dimensions are 27 1/2 " wide, 19 5/8 tall, 1 1/4 " deep. The height is a 1/16th taller than the Ford height of 19 9/16th's.
Any other sources for a copper/brass radiator? Am I doing something wrong? Or, is it the height that is the only issue? 3/8 " difference doesn't seem like it is going to be enough to get that bracket on it? I read that someone had shortened the height of the insulators at the bottom, as a possible fix.
I suppose you are restoring your truck and want everything exactly correct? Otherwise I would just get some flat metal and make myself some new upper brackets with a offset to accommodate the taller radiator.
I suppose you are restoring your truck and want everything exactly correct? Otherwise I would just get some flat metal and make myself some new upper brackets with a offset to accommodate the taller radiator.
Thank you for the illustrations. I have similar illustrations in my Ford Illustrations Manual.
Creating new brackets may very well be a solution. I have a friend who works in a Industrial Machine Shop. But, that is something I would do as a last resort. I think in the mean time, I'll try and find a shorter radiator.
I forgot to mention that the radiator support is an aftermarket product. But, there is no way for me tell tell if everything is correct. I had to drill a couple new holes for the lower insulators so they would fit through the bottom of the radiator support.
Did you see anything wrong with the positioning of the insulators along the bottom? I mean, it has to be the height of the radiator, right?
It's just disappointing, because I was supposed to install the radiator and then a Ford guy was going to start the truck up for the first time.
Thank you for the illustrations. I have similar illustrations in my Ford Illustrations Manual.
Creating new brackets may very well be a solution. I have a friend who works in a Industrial Machine Shop. But, that is something I would do as a last resort. I think in the mean time, I'll try and find a shorter radiator.
I forgot to mention that the radiator support is an aftermarket product. But, there is no way for me tell tell if everything is correct. I had to drill a couple new holes for the lower insulators so they would fit through the bottom of the radiator support.
Did you see anything wrong with the positioning of the insulators along the bottom? I mean, it has to be the height of the radiator, right?
It's just disappointing, because I was supposed to install the radiator and then a Ford guy was going to start the truck up for the first time.
There's always something... lol
I would look for another set of brackets, most any Ford of the era (and earlier) will have the same style of rad brackets. And basically, any from an auto application will be flatter and should accommodate the taller rad.
This is how my 81 radiator and brackets are done. The truck has AC so it is the larger radiator and larger opening in the support.
That is a replacement radiator, it is ALUM & Plastic that replaced the brass & copper that was leaking after a cleaning.
I think I got it through Rock Auto and fit with no issues.
As for looking at sizes of radiators you need to know where they measure them from.
I found this out when I was looking for a fan shroud. 81 you need the number off the old one that I did not have so I was going by radiator sizes and found this out.
Some measure core to the inside and others to the out side. IIRC the height was the same way.
I also take it you did the number one no no when rebuilding anything - DO NOT throw away anything no matter how bad the part may be till the truck is on the road for 6 months.
This way you can match up new & old for just this type of issue.
Good luck
Dave ----
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