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Replacement Radiator Question

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Old Jun 18, 2025 | 08:39 AM
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Replacement Radiator Question

Daughter wrecked my 1995 F150 and I had to replace the radiator. Cheap unit off ebay (not a long term truck) fit fine and appears to be the correct unit with all the transmission cooler hookups. The issue is it has two holes in the filler neck - both have nipples. The upper hole is the one I expected that only "flows" if the radiator cap is pushed open by pressure. The second hole is below that and allows coolant and air to flow freely. What is the best way to plug this hole - or what's it for?


 
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Old Jun 18, 2025 | 09:02 AM
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This question was just asked 9-10 days ago in the thread “Mystery Radiator Connection”. The coolant tube goes from the throttle body to that port.
Picture from AuroraGirl
Picture from AuroraGirl

The new radiator should have come with a rubber cap and hose clamp for that port.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2025 | 09:44 AM
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The top one is for the coolant reservoir.
The next one down is for the throttle body.

If you do not have the radiator coolant tube to the throttle body, like said above, then there should be a cap to plug it.
The radiator should have come with a bag of parts, circled in red.




 
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Old Jun 18, 2025 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
This question was just asked 9-10 days ago in the thread “Mystery Radiator Connection”. The coolant tube goes from the throttle body to that port.
Picture from AuroraGirl
Picture from AuroraGirl

The new radiator should have come with a rubber cap and hose clamp for that port.
Actually, both my previous '97 F250HD and current '95 F250, both with 7.5Ls, route this 'extra' 1/4" dia hose Teed into one of the heater hoses after crossing the top of the radiator in the metal tube. All factory crimped, not with hose clamps.
 
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Old Jun 18, 2025 | 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by cougrrcj
Actually, both my previous '97 F250HD and current '95 F250, both with 7.5Ls, route this 'extra' 1/4" dia hose Teed into one of the heater hoses after crossing the top of the radiator in the metal tube. All factory crimped, not with hose clamps.
nope, it’s the throttle body return line.
the other side from throttle body Ts in, sure.
coolant in, coolant out.
the one from rad goes directly to throttle body.

its easy enough to remove from throttle body and route where you want, like the T in the heater hose.
 
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Old Jun 19, 2025 | 01:53 PM
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The purpose is to keep the throttle body from freezing from incoming air/moisture in cold climates. it's not really needed if you're down south, or up north for our Aussie mates.
 
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Old Jun 21, 2025 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by wwhite
nope, it’s the throttle body return line.
the other side from throttle body Ts in, sure.
coolant in, coolant out.
the one from rad goes directly to throttle body.

its easy enough to remove from throttle body and route where you want, like the T in the heater hose.
Here's a pic of the heater hoses right off the water pump.





There are NO coolant hose connections to the throttle body on my 7.5L!








 
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Old Jun 23, 2025 | 10:31 AM
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Well, I did a lot of looking, and can only come up with the fact that the 460 does not have a throttle body like the others(4.9,5.0,5.8).

So, that T fitting, goes directly to the second hole/nipple on the radiator, and uses a tube/hose exactly like the others.

In any event, you should be save to block both of them off.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2025 | 04:54 PM
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It's funny how the only throttle bodies ford was worried about freezing were ones with EGR passages right behind them. The others were freeze proof I guess.
 
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