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I know there has been a lot of radiator replacement talk, but thought I would post my thoughts on my efforts to replace the one for my 69 F250 CS.
When I found a drip around the trans cooler line fitting I pulled the radiator and was going to take it to a shop. The closest decent shop is about an hour or more away, and I’m beginning to wonder if they can do much with the original one I have. I’ve posted some pics of it - including the id stamped on it. It is about 29.5 X 26.5 and looks to be a 3 row.
In the meantime I’m looking at replacing it with an aluminum one. I hope to have the original back in the truck if it can be re-cored/repaired, but will probably be $$$!
I know there are brands that are preferred like Champion, but I found one that appears to slip right in. Looks like my shroud will bolt on correctly too. I’m not interested in the typical plastic aftermarket replacements.
Thoughts? Concerns? Experiences?
Should I replace it with a 4 row?
Thanks in advance.
The newer aftermarket aluminum radiators I have seen look out of place in our trucks in my opinion. I prefer the stock look. The one you show looks more stock than the other ones I've seen.
I know there has been a lot of radiator replacement talk, but thought I would post my thoughts on my efforts to replace the one for my 69 F250 CS.
When I found a drip around the trans cooler line fitting I pulled the radiator and was going to take it to a shop. The closest decent shop is about an hour or more away, and I’m beginning to wonder if they can do much with the original one I have. I’ve posted some pics of it - including the id stamped on it.
It is about 29.5 X 26.5 and looks to be a 3 row.
This ID number looks like C8TA-BM = C8TZ-8005-B .. Radiator ~ 26 1/4" wide x 19 3/4" high = 1968/72 F100/350 360/390 Use with xtra cooling and A/C
The Aluminum replacement radiator was delivered and appears to be a very close match when compared to the original. Looks like it will sit a little lower when comparing the bolt holes.
No damage when delivered. Seems decently constructed, but no way to tell if it will hold the pressure until later. :-)
The fittings were the correct NPT. It arrived with hose fittings, which I’ll replace with 6 AN.
After a dry fit, I found that the front bottom edges bumped against the front cab mounts. I had to trim the corners so it would snug up to the radiator railing when bolted.
I bolted the radiator in place, zip tied the shroud to check position and clearance, and everything looks good. Checked fan clearance/centering etc.
When bolting on the radiator, I came away from the passenger side with HD hardware to mount my Hayden HD Aux trans cooler in front of the radiator.
I’m hoping to have the original radiator revamped, but in the meantime this one will do.
Next - hook up trans cooler lines, engine radiator hoses, and finish wiring the trans fluid pressure and temp gauges. (A transmission overheat was what brought me down this rabbit hole to begin with.)
Thanks! I cranked it up this morning for the final test and let it idle to watch the gauges. The gauges respond correctly, so I’m gonna take it around town to see what temp/press the transmission fluid gets up to. Wish me luck! Ha!
These aluminum radiators work pretty good and keep my 408w cool on hot track days. Holley sent me one that looks identical to the champion I bought a couple years ago. Temp stays exactly the same with the Holley also. Pretty sure they are all made in China and that's the part I don't care for.
I hear ya. I was concerened when I saw it was made in China, but came to the same conclusion that they are all probably made there. When I realized I had to replace my radiator I was concerned it was going to cost me big bucks, but I bought a three row for $200. The popular sites selling parts for bumpsides wanted $300 for a two row.
I'm very pleased with mine. Works great, and was easy to drop in.
If you don't have one now you may want to think about a sacrificial anode if you didn't insulate the radiator from the chassis. Since our trucks ground so many things to the body the radiator is also grounded and it can cause electrolysis.
If you don't have one now you may want to think about a sacrificial anode if you didn't insulate the radiator from the chassis. Since our trucks ground so many things to the body the radiator is also grounded and it can cause electrolysis.
Thank you!! I never thought of that!!
I'll probably slip in some rubber grommets on the mounts AND a sacrificial anode.
I'll see what I can find.
I know there has been a lot of radiator replacement talk, but thought I would post my thoughts on my efforts to replace the one for my 69 F250 CS.
When I found a drip around the trans cooler line fitting I pulled the radiator and was going to take it to a shop. The closest decent shop is about an hour or more away, and I'm beginning to wonder if they can do much with the original one I have, unlike a straightforward VW MK1 Swap Radiator which is much easier to source and replace. I've posted some pics of it - including the id stamped on it. It is about 29.5 X 26.5 and looks to be a 3 row.
In the meantime I’m looking at replacing it with an aluminum one. I hope to have the original back in the truck if it can be re-cored/repaired, but will probably be $$$!
I know there are brands that are preferred like Champion, but I found one that appears to slip right in. Looks like my shroud will bolt on correctly too. I’m not interested in the typical plastic aftermarket replacements.
Thoughts? Concerns? Experiences?
Should I replace it with a 4 row?
Thanks in advance.
An aluminum replacement is a smart move. Getting the original re-cored will likely cost as much as a decent aluminum unit anyway so it may not be worth it. On the 3 versus 4 row question, if you are running stock and not towing heavy a good 3 row aluminum will do the job fine, go 4 row if you tow regularly or have engine upgrades. Since you already found one that fits with the shroud bolting on correctly just make sure it is full aluminum and not plastic tank style and you are good to go.You said: fit this keyword VW MK1 Swap Radiator in the middle of this line When I found a drip around the trans cooler line fitting I pulled the radiator and was going t…
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and looks to be a 3 row.
