Automatic radiator
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 279
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From: Western PA
Automatic radiator
Since I also plan to install an auto trans in the future and my current raditaor is ratty I called two parts places for a new raditor and neither has a listing for a 1966 pickup with a auto trans!!!!
Does anyone have another part number or year to try? there are 4 bolts holsing the radiator to the metal panel and then the radiator has 4 bolts that hold a plastic shround that goes around the fan.
Or should I just get the currect radiator recored? (will I get the extra plumbing for the auto trans in a new core)?
Does anyone have another part number or year to try? there are 4 bolts holsing the radiator to the metal panel and then the radiator has 4 bolts that hold a plastic shround that goes around the fan.
Or should I just get the currect radiator recored? (will I get the extra plumbing for the auto trans in a new core)?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Automatic radiator
Yes, get it recored. You will need the brackets from your radiator anyway. Any competent radiator shop can recore a radiator. Generally, they take the two tanks (top and bottom, in your case) and put a new core in between. This will save your AT cooler also.
Be sure to have them check the soundness of your current tanks.
While you are at it, get a full core of 4 or more rows for extra cooling. It won't cost that much more, and is well worth the extra cooling capacity. IMHO, anyway. It depends on how cold your climate is.
Finally, if yours is shot and beyond repair, you should be able to use any (Ford) truck radiator up to about '79, but with your side brackets. Again, a competent radiator shop can do this for you.
Be sure to have them check the soundness of your current tanks.
While you are at it, get a full core of 4 or more rows for extra cooling. It won't cost that much more, and is well worth the extra cooling capacity. IMHO, anyway. It depends on how cold your climate is.
Finally, if yours is shot and beyond repair, you should be able to use any (Ford) truck radiator up to about '79, but with your side brackets. Again, a competent radiator shop can do this for you.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Automatic radiator
Check out the Tech article on this site. Think its called up dating cooling systems. Actually it’s a pretty good read. If originality on your truck is not an issue and maximizing the cooling capacity of the truck is the goal, I think a late model cross flow radiator would be a good improvement. I am considering doing that. I saw in my local junk yard a Ford or Lincoln that had a factory transmission cooler, power steering cooler, cross flow radiator and AC condenser and dryer. All this was mounted in a space about the size of my current system. Add a pair of twin electric fans and all cooling issues would be resolved. The tech article also discusses the installation of a "universal" cross flow radiator. They also sell a 66 Fe Radiator for about 250 bucks.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Automatic radiator
I don't know which parts house you called, but Moden still has radiators available with the tranny fluid tank for the 66. 
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In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 46
From: Vancouver
Automatic radiator
I got mine recored (so the rad would have the right numbers on it), and had it enlarged to four rows. The increase in thickness created two problems: the hood latch had to be trimmed to clear the core, and there's now no room for a (thin) a/c condenser. Also, if you want to have an original-appearing radiator, the fins should run continuously across the core. My rad guy called this the "industrial" style.
Eric
Eric
Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Automatic radiator
I recently purchased a modine for my 65/352,even though I have a manual trans they all come with a trans cooler. At a local radiator shop it was cheaper than some quotes I got to recore my existing part.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Coal country
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New User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Automatic radiator
Your parts house will not have a radiator listed for a 66 with trans lines for an automatic, because the 66 trans was an FMX with radiator coolant flowing through the trans and no trans fluid flowing through the radiator. Both standard trans trucks and automatics used the same radiator. You can use a 67 and up automatic radiator that will be a direct bolt in with automatic trans cooler or use an exterior mounted trans cooler and your stock radiator.
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Brett Foote
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Marietta, GA USA
Automatic radiator
I got a radiator from 1-800-Radiator for my 66 with the automatic trans. It came with the transmission cooler in the radiator. This was about 18 months ago but they had it and it was around $200 delivered.
Bill
Bill
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 279
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From: Western PA
Automatic radiator
does your radiator have brackets on the side for a fan shround? did trucks come with fan shrounds? is the raditor you got a crossflow? where in the radiator cap? in the center or off to one side? can you send a pciture?