Difference between A/C & Non A/C radiator?
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Difference between A/C & Non A/C radiator?
I have a 1991 f150 4x4 4.9 5 speed truck. I need a new radiator. My truck has A/C but I found I receipt that shows the A/c was put on aftermarket, so I don't know if the radiator is the bigger A/c unit or smaller non A/c unit. I 'm going to buy the bigger radiator, but the Napa guy says I'll need bigger backets if I have the small radiator backets now. Question is, how do I determine which radiator I currently have? I measured it and it's almost exactly 1 inch thick. Also, the price Napa quoted me is $217 for a two core, sound right? Will a two core keep the truck cool for miles of 4x4 low gear traveling in the desert (90 degree) heat with A/C on? Or should I try and find a 3 or 4 row radiator? Thanks JT
Last edited by JTdesert; Aug 2, 2004 at 02:28 PM.
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From: Northern California
to convert my 1981 F150 to the "A/C" type radiator, I had to get a radiator core support, (The hole needed to be bigger), and an upper radiator hose, the one for a/c.
It took about two days to do but was well worth it.
Hasn't overheated in stop and go situations since.
The local autozone had the radiator dimensions for their radiators and was glad to help me find out the difference in the two radiators for my truck.
I would think the 91 would be simular...
It took about two days to do but was well worth it.
Hasn't overheated in stop and go situations since.The local autozone had the radiator dimensions for their radiators and was glad to help me find out the difference in the two radiators for my truck.
I would think the 91 would be simular...
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SC
I have an 87 4.9 F150 without AC and an 88 Bronco 4.9 with AC. The Bronco's radiator is a two core and twice as thick as the F150's. The two radiators have the same end tanks, just a thicker core. They are very interchangeable as they both fit the mounting brackets the same way (unlike 80-86 trucks). Should the F150 ever need a new radiator(or I get around to finishing the add-on AC setup), you can bet I will replace it with the larger one even though it's never really run hot.
Also "AC" trucks and Broncos use a real fan shroud versus the non-AC trucks that just have a little plastic guard at the top of the radiator. The only source I know of for these shrouds would be the junkyards. V8 radiators are different enough that a shroud off one of them likely wouldn't fit, you'll have to hunt for one from an 87-91 4.9 I believe. Adding a real fan shroud should help with cooling quite a bit also.
(Note to F150Explorer: When I changed my 82 to a 4 core radiator I too had to make more than a few changes to make it fit and work correctly.)
Also "AC" trucks and Broncos use a real fan shroud versus the non-AC trucks that just have a little plastic guard at the top of the radiator. The only source I know of for these shrouds would be the junkyards. V8 radiators are different enough that a shroud off one of them likely wouldn't fit, you'll have to hunt for one from an 87-91 4.9 I believe. Adding a real fan shroud should help with cooling quite a bit also.
(Note to F150Explorer: When I changed my 82 to a 4 core radiator I too had to make more than a few changes to make it fit and work correctly.)
Last edited by GypsyR; Aug 3, 2004 at 09:58 PM.
Tuned
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I have an '87 F250 that had a single core radiator. I added air conditioning, and when I did I switched to a 3 core (maybe 4, I haven't counted) radiator from a 460 engine truck. I had to make no modifications even though the 460 radiator was much thicker. I did trash the shroud, though, as it would not fit. Since then, hottest summers, air conditioner, carrying a heavy slide-in camper, the engine rarely ever gets to the N on normal.
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Originally Posted by GypsyR
I have an 87 4.9 F150 without AC and an 88 Bronco 4.9 with AC. The Bronco's radiator is a two core and twice as thick as the F150's. The two radiators have the same end tanks, just a thicker core. They are very interchangeable as they both fit the mounting brackets the same way (unlike 80-86 trucks). Should the F150 ever need a new radiator(or I get around to finishing the add-on AC setup), you can bet I will replace it with the larger one even though it's never really run hot.
Also "AC" trucks and Broncos use a real fan shroud versus the non-AC trucks that just have a little plastic guard at the top of the radiator. The only source I know of for these shrouds would be the junkyards. V8 radiators are different enough that a shroud off one of them likely wouldn't fit, you'll have to hunt for one from an 87-91 4.9 I believe. Adding a real fan shroud should help with cooling quite a bit also.
(Note to F150Explorer: When I changed my 82 to a 4 core radiator I too had to make more than a few changes to make it fit and work correctly.)
Also "AC" trucks and Broncos use a real fan shroud versus the non-AC trucks that just have a little plastic guard at the top of the radiator. The only source I know of for these shrouds would be the junkyards. V8 radiators are different enough that a shroud off one of them likely wouldn't fit, you'll have to hunt for one from an 87-91 4.9 I believe. Adding a real fan shroud should help with cooling quite a bit also.
(Note to F150Explorer: When I changed my 82 to a 4 core radiator I too had to make more than a few changes to make it fit and work correctly.)
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Hello,
Glad to hear I won't need different brackets. I found a new 2 core for $154. I'll poke around the yellow pages to see if I can find someone who stocks a 3 core, I really really hate heating up, esspecially with my 1 year old crying. Is the only way to tell if you have a bad fan clutch is if it wobbles? Or do they sometimes not spin the fan fast enough? Thanks, JT
Glad to hear I won't need different brackets. I found a new 2 core for $154. I'll poke around the yellow pages to see if I can find someone who stocks a 3 core, I really really hate heating up, esspecially with my 1 year old crying. Is the only way to tell if you have a bad fan clutch is if it wobbles? Or do they sometimes not spin the fan fast enough? Thanks, JT
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SC
If your fan wobbles, for sure something is bad. It can be a bit tough to tell exactly if a fan clutch is shot. Basically they no longer spin like they're supposed to. I've had them fail and found they don't "seem" to move air at idle like they used to. Another vague test is to shut a hot motor off and spin the fan by hand. You should feel reasonable resistance. How much is hard to say since there are more than a few types. Some clutches "feel" different even though they work the same. Suffice to say you shouldn't be able to give it a spin and watch it keep going more than 1/2 a turn or so.
There are "super cooling" 3 core aluminum radiators. But to fit 3 cores requires larger side tanks to accommodate that extra core. Two core and single core radiators use the same end tanks. Even the cheap heavy duty radiators are about double the price of a two core and likely will have to be special ordered.
There are "super cooling" 3 core aluminum radiators. But to fit 3 cores requires larger side tanks to accommodate that extra core. Two core and single core radiators use the same end tanks. Even the cheap heavy duty radiators are about double the price of a two core and likely will have to be special ordered.
Last edited by GypsyR; Aug 9, 2004 at 12:13 AM.
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Hello,
I replaced my pathetic 1" radiator with a Ready-Rad brand 2"(not 2 core, but 2") aluminum radiator. It cost $175 and comes with a life time guarantee, which I've already voided by removing it from the cardboard box. It's made in canada and looks well made. It fit fine, except the fan shroud did not line up so I am running without a fan shroud and the upper hose rides on top of a 'fin' that is part of the radiator housing. Before I hit the washboards I will get some space between the two. Top radiator hose had to be cut back 1", plumber's clamp indentation made a handy guide when cutting. Lower hose was fine.
As for performance, I could not be happier so far. Yesterday 85 dgrees, AC blasting, sub 25 mph stop and go, truck barely got into the 'O' in NORMAL. What a difference the proper radiator makes. Thanks for all info, JT
PS-I found independent radiator shops much more knowledgable (obviously), better product and quite a bit cheaper than Autozone, Napa, ect. Also I recommend going with the lifetime warrenty choice, they're better made and not much more $$$.
I replaced my pathetic 1" radiator with a Ready-Rad brand 2"(not 2 core, but 2") aluminum radiator. It cost $175 and comes with a life time guarantee, which I've already voided by removing it from the cardboard box. It's made in canada and looks well made. It fit fine, except the fan shroud did not line up so I am running without a fan shroud and the upper hose rides on top of a 'fin' that is part of the radiator housing. Before I hit the washboards I will get some space between the two. Top radiator hose had to be cut back 1", plumber's clamp indentation made a handy guide when cutting. Lower hose was fine.
As for performance, I could not be happier so far. Yesterday 85 dgrees, AC blasting, sub 25 mph stop and go, truck barely got into the 'O' in NORMAL. What a difference the proper radiator makes. Thanks for all info, JT
PS-I found independent radiator shops much more knowledgable (obviously), better product and quite a bit cheaper than Autozone, Napa, ect. Also I recommend going with the lifetime warrenty choice, they're better made and not much more $$$.
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