Rear Mounted Radiator
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Missoula, MT.
Rear Mounted Radiator
Well fellers, I've been kicking this idear around for a long long time and have come to the conclusion that with the 460, comes the rear mounted radiator.
Now i know how Im gonna mount it up and such, but what i havn't fully decided upon yet is how to plumb it into my water system. Monsterbaby and I came up with the Idea of using Exhaust tubing bent to match the bottom of the body perfect, tucked up by the frame to protect from kelly humps and log hopping. And then bending the front up on both the pipes 45 degrees and running rubber tubing up to the water pump. and in the rear put in a 90 degree bend and run the rubber hoses to the radiator via a couple holes in the bed.
Any comments on this??? Or any ideas from those of you who have done this to your rigs?
Now i know how Im gonna mount it up and such, but what i havn't fully decided upon yet is how to plumb it into my water system. Monsterbaby and I came up with the Idea of using Exhaust tubing bent to match the bottom of the body perfect, tucked up by the frame to protect from kelly humps and log hopping. And then bending the front up on both the pipes 45 degrees and running rubber tubing up to the water pump. and in the rear put in a 90 degree bend and run the rubber hoses to the radiator via a couple holes in the bed.
Any comments on this??? Or any ideas from those of you who have done this to your rigs?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
Yea, mine sounds similar to what you did except that I used heavy duty copper pipe. Lengthy details on my setup are in a couple threads in here. Anyways, I don't like using exhaust pipe, but if you do, make sure you get some thats well aluminized or it will be rotted out right quick.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
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From: Coutts Canada
yeah i would use copped pipe isntead of exhaust pipe, as exhaust pipe rusts/detirates quite quicky. Copper pipe would be ideal, and i would run the pipe through some pvc or exhaust pipe next to help shield it from the elements.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
Here's the thread where Pro covers his setup: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=175572
I picked up my copper tubing a while back but have been to busy to get it plumbed. I'm thinking this will happen the week after I return from Finland. I think I bought 20 or 30 feet of it. I'm using some 90* elbows and some 458 fittings to follow my frame contour. 1.5" is good because it matches my water pump inlet and t-stat housing neck as well as my radiator inlet. The radiator outlet is 1.75 so I need a reducer but other than that it'll be 1.5" the whole way.
I picked up my copper tubing a while back but have been to busy to get it plumbed. I'm thinking this will happen the week after I return from Finland. I think I bought 20 or 30 feet of it. I'm using some 90* elbows and some 458 fittings to follow my frame contour. 1.5" is good because it matches my water pump inlet and t-stat housing neck as well as my radiator inlet. The radiator outlet is 1.75 so I need a reducer but other than that it'll be 1.5" the whole way.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
Well I'm making progress finally. The plumbing is near complete, frame for the radiator is done and in the bed of the truck. Tonight I have a couple of holes to drill so I can bolt it all into place. I am having a hose custom made today that should be done this afternoon and from there it's only 1 or 2 fittings that I need to braze and then a little playing around with the actual hanging hardware for my pipes and the padding to protect them from shock and vibration where my clamps sit. I'll try to get some pics posted tonight or tomorrow. If all goes according to plan I can fire it up tonight to test out the system.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Longvalley, SD
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Rep. of Texas
Pro, what were you water temps before the rear-mount rad?
What are they now?
Trying to discern if it is a wise choice for my truck or not...its a DD and overheating IDI diesels is pretty much equivelant to death and a sure ticket to a rebuild (overheating it 2x is how I got where I am now). Im tired of bogging down the rad up front w/ mud after I go out & play... but cant afford high temps either
What are they now?
Trying to discern if it is a wise choice for my truck or not...its a DD and overheating IDI diesels is pretty much equivelant to death and a sure ticket to a rebuild (overheating it 2x is how I got where I am now). Im tired of bogging down the rad up front w/ mud after I go out & play... but cant afford high temps either
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
I experience no overheating, and thats with my grill blocked off by sheetmetal. I do remove that sheetmetal for airflow in the 90+ months though if I'm on-road. I use a 185 t-stat and hover around 190. No change once I went rear mount. My secret was capacity, thermal properties of copper pipe, and pitching my rad up to catch airflow coming over the cab.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
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From: Rep. of Texas
If youve answered these Q's in your post that Ivan linked to, just tell me, Ill go read it. But if not:
Is your copper piping encased by PVC or is it open?
Sounds good enough for me. I think its a good summer project, but well see if it makes it off the ground.
Are your fans after market or a J-yard jobbie? (like off an expedition) Ill go ahead and guess after market, they are a little big for OEM elec fans...Also, ever burned them out?
AND, What type of Rad?
Thanks RA
Is your copper piping encased by PVC or is it open?
Sounds good enough for me. I think its a good summer project, but well see if it makes it off the ground.
Are your fans after market or a J-yard jobbie? (like off an expedition) Ill go ahead and guess after market, they are a little big for OEM elec fans...Also, ever burned them out?
AND, What type of Rad?
Thanks RA
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
You really should read that link, it pretty much covers it. I will add that my pipes are not encased in pvc, I've never had a leak/damage problems(thick wall copper), its a sub rad, and dual fiero junkyard fans. I've only burned one out so far.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
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From: Rep. of Texas
Yeah, it answers a lot of questions. Thanks for posting that, way back when... And thanks Ivan, for posting the link. I bookmarked it, just incase this project really does get off hte ground...engine/lift/tires first...
Pro, whats a fiero? who makes it? Never heard of it before...what year did you get yours off of?
Thanks again RA
Pro, whats a fiero? who makes it? Never heard of it before...what year did you get yours off of?
Thanks again RA
