I'm probably going to replace the radiator on my 5.8 F250 1996. Based on RockAuto's listings, it looks like some are listed at being 2 3/8" and others 2.25". (And others say 1" which just seems bizarre to me.)

Does anyone know if 2.25 vs 2 3/8 matters? They are technically different measurements, and since I'm not exactly sure where they are measuring exactly I don't know what precisely to compare to.

It's frustrating because they all come up as a match in RockAuto's computer, and also Carquest. So I'm not sure what to choose here. Any advice would be appreciated please.

 

FWIW, I went with an all aluminum 4 core radiator installed in my late son's '95 F150 4x4, it had a 5.8 it now has a 472 BBF/ZF5. I do not like the crimped end cap radiators, have 3 Ford Superduty's '99, '00 and '03 and all of their radiator have been replaced, the '00 is on it;'s third, if it needs a fourth, it will be all aluminum. All of the replaced radiators leaked at the crimp joints, either at upper or lower end camps due to age I guess. I purchased this one for the '95, very happy with the welds, cooling ability and fit-a-ment of this radiator: RADIATOR FOR 1985-1997 96 FORD F150 250 350 Super Duty BRONCO V8 5.0L-7.5L 4ROW | eBay IMO, a higher capacity cooling system is never a bad thing. Hope this helps.

 

2.250" versus 2.375" is minimal for a core thickness differential, I would go with either that is in stock and has a solid warranty.

I would pass on a 1" core unless an emergency, sounds like a base half ton rad. Perhaps no AC, I think non tow package trucks also had a thinner rad.

 

The thicker the core, the less efficient they are. As the air passes through the core, the air is heated up so the core closest to the engine does not get that much cooling. It's also harder for the air to pass through the core because of all the restrictions. Just something to think about.

When you install whatever you buy, if you seal up all the gaps so the air must pass through the radiator, that will be a big help. I don't know, but I would not be surprised if half the air that passes the grill does not go through the radiator.