Hello All,

Sunday I ordered a 4 row radiator for my '78 F250 pickup. I ordered it from Advance Auto. It is a "Ready-Rad Heatbuster Extreme Service". Got home and opened the box and it's a 3 row, just like I have now. Part numbers on the radiator and box match. They are 436002. Number is correct. Radiator isn't.

So....today they shipped it back and will order another. My question is....Are they right or am I right? A 4 row radiator should have 4 rows of tubes inside, correct? Did they change radiator science? Am I getting screwed? Will the new one be the same? Anybody else run into this? The store manager and counter man didn't really know what to say. Except "the numbers match so it's the right one"......Help me out here. Thanks.

 

4 row radiator is as you mentioned 4 rows.

What size of engine?
and does your truck have a/c?
Automatic or Standard tranmission?

 

Try Nation Parts Depot, Cooling Catalog, part number F-8005-2302 is the 4 row cooling "Eskimo" HD, and will fit a 400 cid, 1978 F250 as shown in your gallery, BTW, nice truck.

Blue oval parts has the radiator too.

 

Thanks Guys, So I am not losing my marbles.

I thought I had missed something. I am going to take a look at the one they ship tomorrow. If it's a three row i'm asking for my money back....and suggesting they stop misleading customers. I understand mistakes happen...but passing off 3 rows as 4 rows?

You know, I wonder how often this happens? Most of the time it's probably installed and no one is the wiser. But I paid for that 4th row, and i'm gonna get it.

Oh, BTW: Truck has the 400, C6, A/C, external trans cooler, Camper Special Package. The original gave up Saturday when I went to replace the original tires! So I figured as long as i'm replacing it, might as well upgrade. Will be towing again in May.

 

Just remember, the 30 day customer satisfaction guarantee or your money back.

Good luck.

 

I agree with the other posts. 4 means 4. BTW, nice collection of trucks. Nice Work.

 

Did you take any measurements of the one they sent you ?

 

Hey guys,

Update:
Yesterday Advance re-ordered my radiator. Went in this evening to pick it up......same radiator! A three row. Now it seems like more than just a simple packaging error. Luckily the store manager was there and he agrees that it is the wrong radiator. Something is amiss. The core thickness is 2" instead of 2.25".

Now for the kicker. He looks it up in the computer and they have a "standard cooling" radiator in stock. The standard cooling radiator is $100 cheaper. He pulls it off the shelf, opens it, and it is the EXACT same radiator as the supposed "heatbuster" model that they keep shipping from the warehouse. The stock numbers are different, but the product is the same. He called the warehouse and the radiator manufacturer while I was there. No answer at either. He says he will try again in the AM, and will give me a call.

Also, I looked up the "Ready-Rad" company last night online. Modine and "Ready-Rad" appear to be one-in-the-same. They are both owned by Transpro-Proliance. When I looked up my radiator in the Modine line and the Ready-Rad line they have the same pic and part numbers. So...I'm still waiting for my radiator.

If any of you guys are replacing radiators PLEASE check the core row number before leaving the store!! Who knows how many are being packaged like this. If I hadn't checked I would have paid $100 extra for a standard radiator!

 

Just a note, Modine radiators are no more. Modine sold its division to a Chinese company.

I have no clue on Ready-Rad. I've never heard of them.

 

So, no more Modine?.....

NAPA still lists Modine. But who knows. At one time they must have been the same company. See:www.transpro.com. But things change, that's for sure.

At any rate...I still have a truck......with a pan sitting under it.....in the shop.....with still no radiator....And nobody seems to be able to figure out why I almost paid $100 extra for a standard radiator....twice.

 

Yes, the Modine we've come to know and loved is gone.

They are still listed because the new company still makes them. But Modine is just a name now with worthless overseas pieces of ****.

 

Hmmm last summer I put a Modine (that's what the box, and all of the warranty stuff that I got with it said) 4 row (I looked, counted, and actually took pictures) in my 79 250. I dunno what's going on now.

 

Modine corporate news from March 28th 2007

http://www.modine.com/

What rad isn't made in China?

http://www.globalsources.com/manufac...-Radiator.html

 

Okay guys....

Here is the verdict. Parts store manager called me today and said a third 3 row radiator was shipped in. Manager was just as confused as I was so he said he would call the manufacturer and find out what was going on.

Three hours later and a couple phone callslater.....He calls me back and said he had found out what was happening. Turns out the four row radiator is no more. The parts rep he talked to claimed that the three row's that are currently being produced are "heavy-duty" three row's. They didn't bother to let the store or anyone else know about the change. When the manager first told me this a couple words ran through my mind....but I told him I would be in after work to closely compare the "heavy-duty" three row to the standard cooling radiator he had in stock.

Turns out there is a slight difference. The rows are spaced shorter. The standard radiator has approx. 1/2" spacing between rows and the new "heatbuster" has 3/10" spacing between rows. Meaning more rows spaced tighter. So in standard 3 row 26" radiator there would be approximately 156 rows total. In the new "heatbuster" there would be 234. In the former 4 row there would be 208 assuming 1/2" spacing. They claim this is more efficient than the 4 row. There is shorter airflow and more cooling surface. The row count is only approximate assuming a 26" wide radiator. Please....check my math. It's been known to be off at times. Only time will tell how well it performs. I'm sure that incidently they are cheaper to manufacture also.....

 

I also opted to order the four row "heatbuster" radiator and recieved an identical radiator to the stock one in my 79,supposidly a Modine, Im not sure were it was made.