Replacement radiator

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Mar 5, 2025 | 12:53 PM

Ferris95

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Cross-Country

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Replacement radiator

Looking for a direct fit radiator for my 68 F250 camper special 390 Fe. 2WD with C6. Not sure if I have the original radiator and it has no fan shroud (which I also want). The core is 26 1/4w x 19 1/4 tall. The one at LMC has plastic tanks. I don’t want the shiny aluminum ones as I want to keep a semi-stock look under the hood. Should I be looking for an all aluminum ones? Or are plastic tanks ok? Or is the old brass and copper the best bet? Not sure who makes those anymore. Any suggestions on good brands would be great! Thanks.

Mar 5, 2025 | 12:58 PM

Jim_K

More Turbo

Joined: Sep 2012

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From: Zimmerman, MN

I sincerely doubt you're going to find an OEM radiator anywhere. (And if you do, better prepare for a pretty stiff price!)

Next best option would be an aluminum radiator painted black, by you.

Worst ("least best") option are those plastic POS's.

At least this is what I've found.

Mar 5, 2025 | 06:29 PM

Green72F250

Tuned

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 469

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From: Colorado Springs

As Jim K mentioned the OEM radiators are not cheap, but here are a couple of options in case you want to go with the brass and copper radiators.
Looks like NPD carries US Radiators.

Radiators - US Radiator

Radiators - Brass/Copper - National Parts Depot

Mar 6, 2025 | 06:34 PM

tcanthonyii

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The cheap eBay radiators are actually pretty good. Just paint it flat black. Your other option is to have yours re-cored if you can find a place that still does and your tanks are good.

Mar 8, 2025 | 12:44 PM

Ferris95

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I think I have decided to just go with an all aluminum one and paint it black Since I decided to go with an aluminum intake and probably heads, I won’t be able to keep it all stock looking! Unless I can paint the heads and intake blue! 😂

Was looking at one like this one from Summit. Is an aluminum one really better? Or is it just lighter?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...-250/year/1968

https://www.summitracing.com/compare

Mar 8, 2025 | 09:51 PM

Alex from GA

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 1,369

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From: Gainesville, GA

Depending on where you live I have an OEM radiator that needs a recore job that I'll give you. I'm north of Atlanta. PM me.

Mar 10, 2025 | 08:06 AM

Jim_K

More Turbo

Joined: Sep 2012

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From: Zimmerman, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex from GA

Depending on where you live I have an OEM radiator that needs a recore job that I'll give you. I'm north of Atlanta. PM me.

Good luck finding a core!

I took the radiators for both of my trucks ('67 and '68) to a local radiator shop about 2 years ago. The '68 was in good shape, and reusable. The '67, however, was in tough shape, and I was told that cores (2-row or 3-row) are no longer available for them, so the '67 currently sports an aluminum radiator painted black.

I still have the '67 radiator in the shed, so if anyone knows for certain where I can find a new 3-row core, I'm all ears, as the shop told me if I could find one they would give me a break on the price to install it.

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Mar 10, 2025 | 10:24 AM

Ferris95

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2022

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After reading about aluminum or copper/brass, I have decided to go with this one at Summit.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-382034

Or this one at Jegs, but the it won’t ship till end of April! The Summit one ships today. They are exactly the same price. Wonder if they are the same manufacturer?

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/5115...4L+%2F+390+%29

Mar 26, 2025 | 09:08 AM

#10

Ferris95

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Cross-Country

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Correction, I have decided to go with the aluminum one from Summit. Unless someone knows this one is no good? And can anyone tell me if I get a fan shroud for the OEM radiator, will it fit this one? My truck didn’t have one when I bought it.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-384024

Mar 26, 2025 | 02:58 PM

#11

tcanthonyii

Laughing Gas

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That looks identical to the ebay one I bought for my truck for half price. 3 Row Aluminum Radiator For 68-79 Ford F-Series F100 F150 F250 F350 78-79 Bronco | eBay

My factory shroud fits just fine on it and I've really liked it so far. Truck never gets hot. I will tell you though if you have factory AC you have to space it an inch. I couldn't find a factory AC radiator. They are slightly different to allow room for the condenser. If it were me I wouldn't double my money for likely the exact same part.