Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

radiator ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 28, 2005 | 02:37 AM
  #1  
BILLYBAD_1's Avatar
BILLYBAD_1
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
radiator ?

i have an 85 f-150. is there any other bigger radiators i can put in it without going to the costly aftermarket?
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2005 | 02:50 AM
  #2  
ford390gashog's Avatar
ford390gashog
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Club FTE Gold Member
what engine?
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 11:33 AM
  #3  
BILLYBAD_1's Avatar
BILLYBAD_1
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
300 i. really dont want to have to go aftermarket.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 12:30 PM
  #4  
big hoss 29's Avatar
big hoss 29
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 2
From: Billings Montana
I swapped a bigger radiator into an 83 F-150 with a 300-6 I had. It was a radiator for a V-8 I believe and it fit just fine. Every truck I've seen had the provision for a bigger radiator, you just have to move the mounting pads outboard to make it fit.
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 05:45 PM
  #5  
mnmzimmer5's Avatar
mnmzimmer5
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Any Ford small block V-8 around the same year should fit right into place...not sure about big block rad
 
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2005 | 06:06 PM
  #6  
thenutisloose1's Avatar
thenutisloose1
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Rockaway Beach
Even a diesel 6.9 radiator will fit if you want it super cool lol
 
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2005 | 08:58 AM
  #7  
81-F-150-Explorer's Avatar
81-F-150-Explorer
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
The Radiator supports are different for 300 I6's with standard cool and Extra cool, than the ones for Super cool and/or air conditioning. A Super cool Radiator will bolt right up however, just place the mounting brackets in the wider location holes provided. You will need to change the upper radiator hose to one for air conditioning or super cooling.

The difference in the supports is the hole that is in the radiator support for the radiator. The one for standard cool has a smaller hole the size of the smaller radiator, and the super cool has the wider hole like the V8's. If you put a super cool radiator in a standard cool radiator support, the hole difference will block off or restrict air going through the larger portion of the radiator etc... To get the full benefit of a larger radiator, IMO, I would switch the radiator supports with one with a bigger "hole" for the larger radiator.

To finish off the job, I would replace the fan guard with a fan shroud that will fit on the super cool radiator, and install a fan clutch if one isn't already installed for the maximum of cooling you can get.

hope this helps.
 
Reply
Old Jan 1, 2006 | 06:10 PM
  #8  
Bdox's Avatar
Bdox
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Club FTE Silver Member

A great radiator for the Inline six is a GM crossflow from the 70's - 80's midsized rear drive V8 cars. Get one from a salvage yard and get the brackets that go with it. Easy to swap in, the hoses have the proper locations.

Of course the others options posted above a just fine too.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cowmilker08
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Feb 11, 2014 09:41 AM
RobbD
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
3
Dec 3, 2013 10:04 AM
Gicknordon
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Oct 3, 2012 05:48 PM
smitty7
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
2
Nov 6, 2003 02:35 PM
Shannonm1
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
1
May 3, 2003 09:00 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:55 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE