New Radiator
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 733
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New Radiator
I have an 83 f150 (see gallery) I need to get a new radiator, and would like to go aluminum. a close friend of mine has one from a truck that he rolled (87 f-150, 5.0L) I know that the 87 has the different core support and front clip than mine, and the 302 instead of the 300. Would this radiator bolt up to my support with little or no hole drilling and fabrication? I would like to get the added cooling of the larger rad and aluminum, as I intend to drive the truck hard and probably do a lot of pulling, towing, and heavy hauling. I only ask instead of trying because i'm not going to spend hours digging his shed out of a snowbank if it won't even work.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 305
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You need to check on how its mounted in the truck. My radiator in my '84 looks like yous, it has 2 clips on top & it sits in a couple of little rubber mounts. I'm not all that sure how the '87s are set-up, but if its the same then you could use it. However, the upper (I think) hose opening would be on the wrong side. Most radiator shops can move the openings, but it could also cost you a bit.
I never liked the size of the radiator in my truck, seemed to small & I think it was most of the cause of the many engine problems I had for a while. I ended up getting the stock radiator (new) for a truck with an automatic & A/C. Its still only a 2-row, but its about 7-8" longer & seems to help keep my engine cool. I had to move one of the clips & one of the rubber mounts, the holes were all ready there & tapped.
Edwin
I never liked the size of the radiator in my truck, seemed to small & I think it was most of the cause of the many engine problems I had for a while. I ended up getting the stock radiator (new) for a truck with an automatic & A/C. Its still only a 2-row, but its about 7-8" longer & seems to help keep my engine cool. I had to move one of the clips & one of the rubber mounts, the holes were all ready there & tapped.
Edwin
"Obsessed"
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: On The Edge of the Cliff
You will have to compare the 2. I know they made a few different set ups and each one changed though the years so you could get lucky but its hard to say without comparing. In my opinion if it came down to having the holes moved it would probably be better just to buy a new radiator made for your truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
As long as the hose connections are on the same sides, it should bolt right in. The 4 core radiator in my F-250 bolted right to the core support I got from a 95 F-150 that had a 300. There should be two bolts at the top of the radiator holding it in. The only real difference in the core supports is the extra holes for the different style front ends.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
I converted the cooling system in my truck to Ford Super cooling.
To do the swap I did the following.
1) Consisted of the Larger Radiator.
2) Fan shroud instead of guard.
3) Fan Clutch
4) Longer top radiator hose for a/c and or super cooling.
5) Different radiator support for the larger radiator. Has a wider hole up front for the larger surface layer of larger radiator.
You don't have to swap radiator supports because both supports have bolt holes for both radiator sizes.
However with the radiator support for the small radiator, the opening will block about a foot of the surface area of the larger radiator when installed, and the proper fan shroud will not cool right. So to get the full benefit of cooling, I recommend the radiator support swap as well.
The radiator from a 302 wont work because of the inlet and outlet hoses for it are on the wrong side of the radiator for the 300.
hope this helps...
To do the swap I did the following.
1) Consisted of the Larger Radiator.
2) Fan shroud instead of guard.
3) Fan Clutch
4) Longer top radiator hose for a/c and or super cooling.
5) Different radiator support for the larger radiator. Has a wider hole up front for the larger surface layer of larger radiator.
You don't have to swap radiator supports because both supports have bolt holes for both radiator sizes.
However with the radiator support for the small radiator, the opening will block about a foot of the surface area of the larger radiator when installed, and the proper fan shroud will not cool right. So to get the full benefit of cooling, I recommend the radiator support swap as well.
The radiator from a 302 wont work because of the inlet and outlet hoses for it are on the wrong side of the radiator for the 300.
hope this helps...
Last edited by 81-F-150-Explorer; Feb 8, 2007 at 10:50 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 614
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From: Pensacola, FL
the radiator mounts on the 83 are different than the 85 and newer. on the 80-84 models the radiator sits on rubber pads on the bottom of the core support and 85 and up has pads that are mounted up on the sides of the core.
