radiator help!
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11
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radiator help!
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Apr-02 AT 02:09 PM (EST)]Alright, I don't post here too often but I need some help with my 85 Bronco with a 4bbl 351, 4x4 w/ A/C.
I have a serious coolant leak out of the bottom drivers side of the radiator. I haven't pulled it out yet to see exactly what the problem is but I am fairly sure that the radiator is all rotted due to the fact that the coolant inside is a redish brown color, even after I flushed out the system. Or could this be something else?
First, where is a good place to buy a radiator? Any cheap ideas? Ebay?
Second, will the radiator out of any 85 ford truck fit into my bronco without modification? I have seen a 4 core on ebay that says it will fit 85-91 pickup models. Would this work???
Third, just in case I find that it is not totally rusted/rotted, what else could be causing this leak?
I'd really appreciate any help oropinions that you guys have.
Thanks,
J
I have a serious coolant leak out of the bottom drivers side of the radiator. I haven't pulled it out yet to see exactly what the problem is but I am fairly sure that the radiator is all rotted due to the fact that the coolant inside is a redish brown color, even after I flushed out the system. Or could this be something else?
First, where is a good place to buy a radiator? Any cheap ideas? Ebay?
Second, will the radiator out of any 85 ford truck fit into my bronco without modification? I have seen a 4 core on ebay that says it will fit 85-91 pickup models. Would this work???
Third, just in case I find that it is not totally rusted/rotted, what else could be causing this leak?
I'd really appreciate any help oropinions that you guys have.
Thanks,
J
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 134
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From: Idaho
radiator help!
Talk to a radiator shop and have a new rad. built. The seal between the plastic tanks and the core itself is the weak link and any decent shop can build a custom 4 row with metal tanks that will do the trick. The one I had built for my F-350 ran about $250.
Good Luck.
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
Good Luck.
[link:groups.yahoo.com/group/centurionconversions/|https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=3476&.jpg]<-< Centurion Club
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 974
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radiator help!
I bought a new GoDan Heatbuster from Checker Auto Parts, and it ran me $179.00. It is all new with metal end tanks, not plastic. A friend recommended Performance Radiator (www.performanceradiator.com), but they had plastic tanks, so I opted for the metal tanks. Their website shows $163.00 shipped to your door.
As for the compatibility question, the F-150 shares the same radiator, so it should fit without any trouble, even if it's from the newer generation Bronco/F-series (92-96).
As for the compatibility question, the F-150 shares the same radiator, so it should fit without any trouble, even if it's from the newer generation Bronco/F-series (92-96).
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 937
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radiator help!
Yep, the plastic tanks are crappy and just save Ford money during manufacturing. That's why it's leaking, the plastic and metal starts to separate. As for the reddish brown, are you sure there's any *coolant*, ie ethylene glycol (or equivalent) in there? Sounds like straight water, or someone has run straight water at some point. That reddish brown you're seeing is almost surely rust. Flush the sytem good when you replace the radiator.
Senior User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
radiator help!
1) Tanks aren't crappy. They actually hold up much better than the core.
2) If your rad is leaking at the tank, by the crimped metal, try recrimping it and see how that works. The thermal/pressure cyclings it has seen over the years tend to relax the crimp and cause a leak. I did this to my 1990, and it has held for 5 years.
3) Radiators for F series and Bronco are compatible. Ask to see pictures to make sure the in and out ports are oriented the same (height/angle, ...).
4) If the tubing in the core is rotted, time to get a new one.
2) If your rad is leaking at the tank, by the crimped metal, try recrimping it and see how that works. The thermal/pressure cyclings it has seen over the years tend to relax the crimp and cause a leak. I did this to my 1990, and it has held for 5 years.
3) Radiators for F series and Bronco are compatible. Ask to see pictures to make sure the in and out ports are oriented the same (height/angle, ...).
4) If the tubing in the core is rotted, time to get a new one.
