Pros help needed
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,828
Likes: 4,094
From: Angier, NC
I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned this yet, but there's no need to state the obvious. Think of how much bandwidth would be tied up if everybody had to make such a statement every time I was correct, which as we all know is always. The entire internet would come to a crashing halt. 
Back to your radiator, I've no idea what it means if welded joints are failing. And previously, epoxied joints also failed. It doesn't seem like electrolysis would cause the same exact failure on different types of radiators. Maybe there is some physical stress on the radiator, such as twisted mounts or a bent radiator support?
Back to your radiator, I've no idea what it means if welded joints are failing. And previously, epoxied joints also failed. It doesn't seem like electrolysis would cause the same exact failure on different types of radiators. Maybe there is some physical stress on the radiator, such as twisted mounts or a bent radiator support?
I also asked about the truck being is a crash where the support could be twisted. The bolt in mounts should just fall into place to drop the bolts into.
If not the support is twisted and twisting the radiator.
Could put a pressure gauge on the radiator when cold and then let the truck get up to temp and see how high the PSI gets if you think the head gasket is bad.
Dave -----
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Make sure the isolators and core support isn't making the rad flex/ move.
I haven't seen any all-aluminum radiators that weren't fully welded.
If they're failing in the same area every time, there's something going on.
I haven't seen any all-aluminum radiators that weren't fully welded.
If they're failing in the same area every time, there's something going on.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
We did not say anything because we all know you are right all the time
I also asked about the truck being is a crash where the support could be twisted. The bolt in mounts should just fall into place to drop the bolts into.
If not the support is twisted and twisting the radiator.
Could put a pressure gauge on the radiator when cold and then let the truck get up to temp and see how high the PSI gets if you think the head gasket is bad.
Dave -----
I also asked about the truck being is a crash where the support could be twisted. The bolt in mounts should just fall into place to drop the bolts into.
If not the support is twisted and twisting the radiator.
Could put a pressure gauge on the radiator when cold and then let the truck get up to temp and see how high the PSI gets if you think the head gasket is bad.
Dave -----
Side note tested for Electrolysis had -.10 in the antifreeze and -.18 straight to the radiator. Had the volt meter on 20 vdc
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,828
Likes: 4,094
From: Angier, NC
Truck was put in the ditch twice by the previous owner when he had it as a service from 85-92 or 3. Both times was in the winter and on the driver's side. No damage to the truck the first time. Second time tweaked the cab a little bit and cracked the windshield and had a slight dent in the driver's front Fender from catching a stump. When I put the first Rad in I check to make sure everything was square and that it when the rad is pushed against it it sits flat. Truck has a 180* thermostat in it and in summer it runs 160* and winter struggles to get to 140* with cardboard. Check thermostat multiple times and put it in hot water and it opens and closes as it should.
Side note tested for Electrolysis had -.10 in the antifreeze and -.18 straight to the radiator. Had the volt meter on 20 vdc
Side note tested for Electrolysis had -.10 in the antifreeze and -.18 straight to the radiator. Had the volt meter on 20 vdc
You may want to loosen up the radiator support and cab mounts and take it down a bumpy road to "settle" the mounts and tighten them back up.
I would also have the frame checked and the radiator opening for squareness. If the left to right side frame rails are not the same from front to rear (laddered) can also cause issues and going in a ditch twice and a tree stump is not good even if the body looks good other than a cracked windshield.
Dave ----
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 1,166
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,828
Likes: 4,094
From: Angier, NC
I know radiator supports and frame mount holes like to rust out on our trucks and that could make the support move around.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
We did not say anything because we all know you are right all the time
I also asked about the truck being is a crash where the support could be twisted. The bolt in mounts should just fall into place to drop the bolts into.
If not the support is twisted and twisting the radiator.
Could put a pressure gauge on the radiator when cold and then let the truck get up to temp and see how high the PSI gets if you think the head gasket is bad.
Dave -----
I also asked about the truck being is a crash where the support could be twisted. The bolt in mounts should just fall into place to drop the bolts into.
If not the support is twisted and twisting the radiator.
Could put a pressure gauge on the radiator when cold and then let the truck get up to temp and see how high the PSI gets if you think the head gasket is bad.
Dave -----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Straight concentrate has a lower boiling point. Don't do it. Use the 50-50. Unless you are towing on a very hot day, you will never notice the lower pressure cap.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,240
Likes: 1,222
I guess the original design of my 250 was to hold the radiator tight to the frame uprights and cross. Maybe there's enough isolation between the radiator support and the truck frame that twist is minimized. Are your supports stock or modified?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,828
Likes: 4,094
From: Angier, NC
I measured the support for square and used a level for a straight edge and it is all flat and square. I'm going to get a splice and figure out what I have for pressure in the radiator. I think it was you that mentioned a lower rad cap pressure lowers the boiling point. If I run straight concentrate and a lower psi rad cap it should be the same as 50/50 mix and a higher psi rad cap?
If you go more antifreeze you can run into overheating as the antifreeze dose not remove heat from the block or get rid of it in the radiator.
If you run a 195 stat I cant see the temp running much over 200* maybe 205*? If you have a recovery tank if the coolant gets pushed out it will go into the tank and when the motor cools will be pulled back in.
That is my story and I am sticking to it
Dave ----
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Depending on the roads he's driving on twisting of the frame could occur if you travel primitive roads or off roading. I used to take a back way home that had some serious potholes and uneven ground.
I guess the original design of my 250 was to hold the radiator tight to the frame uprights and cross. Maybe there's enough isolation between the radiator support and the truck frame that twist is minimized. Are your supports stock or modified?
I guess the original design of my 250 was to hold the radiator tight to the frame uprights and cross. Maybe there's enough isolation between the radiator support and the truck frame that twist is minimized. Are your supports stock or modified?
My rad has 2 bolts on top and the bottom sits in a saddle so it can wiggle a little bit. The supports are stock
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Onder normal use I would keep the mix at 50/50 with the lower cap. I may go a little more antifreeze if I needed protection from freezing.
If you go more antifreeze you can run into overheating as the antifreeze dose not remove heat from the block or get rid of it in the radiator.
If you run a 195 stat I cant see the temp running much over 200* maybe 205*? If you have a recovery tank if the coolant gets pushed out it will go into the tank and when the motor cools will be pulled back in.
That is my story and I am sticking to it
Dave ----
If you go more antifreeze you can run into overheating as the antifreeze dose not remove heat from the block or get rid of it in the radiator.
If you run a 195 stat I cant see the temp running much over 200* maybe 205*? If you have a recovery tank if the coolant gets pushed out it will go into the tank and when the motor cools will be pulled back in.
That is my story and I am sticking to it
Dave ----
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,240
Likes: 1,222
Interesting, my radiator has 4 bolts, two top and two bottom to the uprights. It sits on the cross member too. It's solidly held. I have a 6.9l diesel with the long radiator for 4x4.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,828
Likes: 4,094
From: Angier, NC
The early trucks sit in a U shape bottom mount and the top uses a upside down U shape 2 part mount that bolts to the top of the support.
Later trucks have different mounting, just not 100% on just how the mounts are but I do know they are different.
I think the bottom uses the same U type mounts at the bottom but the top uses bolts thru "eye lets" going forward into the support.
The only thing I am not sure of is if there is a rubber mount between the radiator and support and the bolt washer and radiator.
I would think there would be so the radiator dose not take the shock the support is getting.
Sorry no picture of this type but my truck had this type radiator held in with wire when I bought it.
From the OP picture it looks like the upper bolts dont have rubber bushings between the bolt / washer and the radiator & support.
If so the bottom of the radiator is moving but not the top.
I think if he was to use rubber "shocks" for the top mounting te problem will go away.
Dave ----
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,240
Likes: 1,222
I just installed a new radiator in my truck. Once I dropped it in it pretty much lined up with the 4 bolts to the supports. Maybe I lifted up a lil bit to make the speed nuts welded to the uprights. 4 bolts with integral washers to fixed location nuts on the uprights. I couldn't do it wrong if I tried...