Need Radiator help
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 356
Likes: 14
From: California
Need Radiator help
My original 1960 F-100 radiator has developed a leak in the core area and a small pinhole in the tank. The cost of a re-core and tank repair starts at $200 locally. I have noticed LMC Trucks (elemcee trucks) and John's F-Fun Hundreds both carry all-new radiators for my truck ($300-$329), and are about the only places that carry them. Has anyone purchased a replacement radiator for their 57-60 truck, and if so, who was is from? Also, do the radiators offered by these two companies have the original style tank on top? And last, is the original radiator a 3-row or 4-row radiator (F-100 with 292 V8 and manual transmission)? My truck is all original (except blue dot tail lights) and has never had any overheating issues, so a radiator upgrade is not necessary. I looking for a 100% original style replacement. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, CO
try usradiator.com that's who they probably buy them from and mark them up. They have a listing w/pics and dimensions for both the 6 & 8 cyl radiators 57-60 Ford Truck. I bought my '55 direct from them and save BIG bucks over the vendors.
HTH,
Ron
HTH,
Ron
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 5
From: Akron Ohio
I had mine recored for the same reason you said earlier, originality. Transam, nice to see you back, I hope you got those radio template's I sent a couple years ago. Anyways, get some pics of that truck of yours up. -4speed 
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 356
Likes: 14
From: California
Goobzilla,
To what company does your radiator part number reference to and how much does it cost?
Mr4speedford,
I did receive the templates. I appologize for the late thank you. Other than an annual tune-up and a few restoration parts, I really haven't done much to the truck since I was last on this board (moved from NM to MD, working 12 hrs a day with the Air Force, and working on a Certified Flight Instructor rating right now). I bought a partially restored 1978 SE Trans Am last year, and have been completing the final items on the interior and engine modifications so I may start driving it in the spring. Once I find a larger garage, I will strip the truck completely apart and overhaul/restore every item. I do have a couple pics of the truck. How do I go about posting them on this post?
To what company does your radiator part number reference to and how much does it cost?
Mr4speedford,
I did receive the templates. I appologize for the late thank you. Other than an annual tune-up and a few restoration parts, I really haven't done much to the truck since I was last on this board (moved from NM to MD, working 12 hrs a day with the Air Force, and working on a Certified Flight Instructor rating right now). I bought a partially restored 1978 SE Trans Am last year, and have been completing the final items on the interior and engine modifications so I may start driving it in the spring. Once I find a larger garage, I will strip the truck completely apart and overhaul/restore every item. I do have a couple pics of the truck. How do I go about posting them on this post?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, CO
That's from www.usradiator.com
For price you'll have to call them, (323)826-0965 . Great people to deal with, good luck!
Ron
For price you'll have to call them, (323)826-0965 . Great people to deal with, good luck!
Ron
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 5
From: Akron Ohio
goto the blue horizontal bar above this thread. click on the "user CP".
Then on the left hand side choose the "edit gallery" then click on "create album" and make a new album for the truck.
Then once finished, click on "edit" button next to the albums name.
The scroll down till you find 5 boxes with the word "browse" next to them.
Click the browse button and find the photo you want on your computer, and select it.
Then choose "upload" and whola! The pics can't be too big or they won't load. Any other problems, or if the pics need resized, e-mail me at: mr4speedford@ neo.rr.com -4speed
Then on the left hand side choose the "edit gallery" then click on "create album" and make a new album for the truck.
Then once finished, click on "edit" button next to the albums name.
The scroll down till you find 5 boxes with the word "browse" next to them.
Click the browse button and find the photo you want on your computer, and select it.
Then choose "upload" and whola! The pics can't be too big or they won't load. Any other problems, or if the pics need resized, e-mail me at: mr4speedford@ neo.rr.com -4speed
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: northeast texas
I bought a 4-row for my 60 from Auto-Krafters. They get theirs from US Radiator and gave me a better price than US Radiator. The radiator is near identical to the original
except for fittings on the bottom for auto trans lines and the bottom water outlet
was a little further outboard than the original but will make no difference if you are running the y-block. I have FE in mine and I had to raise the radiator up a bit. It runs
extremely cool even in the hot Texas summer. I am running 6 blade fan and modified shroud from a 66 Ford pasenger.
jt
except for fittings on the bottom for auto trans lines and the bottom water outlet
was a little further outboard than the original but will make no difference if you are running the y-block. I have FE in mine and I had to raise the radiator up a bit. It runs
extremely cool even in the hot Texas summer. I am running 6 blade fan and modified shroud from a 66 Ford pasenger.
jt
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: northeast texas
My original 60 radiator (292, 3spd) was 2 row. However, the tubes are 3/4 inch wide
and are staggered across the radiator so that each tube receives maximum air flow.
It was a very efficient design. I tried to get mine recored but all the radiator shops
I went to said there was no core available for this truck. I found a used one from a 57 f-250 that was the same but it was rotten also so I opted for the new 4-row.
jt
and are staggered across the radiator so that each tube receives maximum air flow.
It was a very efficient design. I tried to get mine recored but all the radiator shops
I went to said there was no core available for this truck. I found a used one from a 57 f-250 that was the same but it was rotten also so I opted for the new 4-row.
jt
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 356
Likes: 14
From: California
Auto Krafters offers a 2-core and a 4-core for my truck. I want to stick with the original design. The stock radiator almost cools the engine too much (takes a long time for warm up and has never even attempted to overheat) so a 4-core would be overkill. Has anyone tried a reproduction 2-core radiator, and if so, did it work as well or better than the original? Thanks for the help.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: northeast texas
The radiators from Auto Krafters (made by US Radiator) will not be the same design as your old one. The tubes are 1/2 inch and are lined up one behind the other. Otherwise the radiator looks the same. The 2-row, in my opinion, will not cool as well as your old one. I think U S radiator has it in 3-row also. If you live in a warm climate, I would at the least get a 3-row.
You are correct about the over-cooling. Mine runs extremely cool but the heater still works fine and I plan to add ac later on.
jt
You are correct about the over-cooling. Mine runs extremely cool but the heater still works fine and I plan to add ac later on.
jt
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by transam525
Has anyone tried a reproduction 2-core radiator, and if so, did it work as well or better than the original? Thanks for the help.
Vern
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 356
Likes: 14
From: California
Are the US Radiator tanks the same as the original? I also noticed in the radiator picture above the top inlet is on the passenger side. The original is in the center. Is this just a mistake in the picture, or are they actually made with the inlet on the wrong side? If anyone has a recommendation for a radiator manufacturer who makes a higher quality, 100% correct, radiator than US Radiator, please let me know. I am looking to buy the radiator today.