Radiator Support Size
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
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From: Hartford, AL
Radiator Support Size
Okay, I have searched this site for this info, but I didn't find exactly what I was looking for. How many different supports were made for these trucks? Does anyone have all of the measurements of all core supports for these trucks? I have a 73 Ford F100 and I am in need of a support. I quickly measured the distance between the holes on my frame rails and they measure roughly around 32" center to center. I measured the actual opening width for the radiator opening at 24 1/2". I just checked with a guy that has a support from a 78 or 79 that he could sale me, but he said his mounting measurements are only 28 1/2" wide, and the radiator opening is like 27-1/2" wide. Help?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 900
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I'm thinking 2, mabey more. I have the small one in my truck (79) I wanted to upgrade to a larger radiator a few years ago and the heavy duty radiator listed was too big for my core support. My opening is like 24".
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 364
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From: Southern Delaware
i swapped a core support on my truck(74) from a 78/79 truck. it bolted in fine, but i had to make some mods to the headlight mounting orientation...(square to round headlights)...you may be able to get it to work, just get a larger radiator, which is not a bad idea anyways if yours is old and in need of replacement..... it also wouldnt hurt to double check his measurements...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
There are two different core supports which are different in how the radiator mounts to the support.
Radiator supports with 2
mounting holes have 28 1/2”
between mtg holes. Supports
with 4 mounting holes have 23”
<!-- KEN: 1-13-2007: show 300x250 ad-block to non-Club FTE users in the 1st post of every page --><!-- / Ken, end of hack --><!-- / message --><!-- no sigs except when logged in --><!-- sig -->and 25 1/2” between mtg holes
Radiator supports with 2
mounting holes have 28 1/2”
between mtg holes. Supports
with 4 mounting holes have 23”
<!-- KEN: 1-13-2007: show 300x250 ad-block to non-Club FTE users in the 1st post of every page --><!-- / Ken, end of hack --><!-- / message --><!-- no sigs except when logged in --><!-- sig -->and 25 1/2” between mtg holes
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 9
From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
The center to center deminsion on the frame mounts is the same from 67-79. There are some differences in the rad opening on the 73-79 supports but the ones I've seen with the smaller opening also had the outline of the large opening stamped into them.If you find a support that has a bigger opening than your old one you could fabricate a panel out of sheet metal to make up the difference.As 79F150toy said there are some minor mounting issues with headlights when using a 78-79 support in a 73-77 truck but it's not hard to do.Hope this helps.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
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From: Hartford, AL
I want to make sure we are talking about same holes. I am talking about the 2 holes that bolt the core support to the frame. Mine measure 31 inches inside of the hole to the inside of the hole. Nothing to do with the actual mounting of the radiator. Can someone go out and measure their support to make me feel better about purchasing this one?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 9
From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
Originally Posted by 73FOMO
I want to make sure we are talking about same holes. I am talking about the 2 holes that bolt the core support to the frame. Mine measure 31 inches inside of the hole to the inside of the hole. Nothing to do with the actual mounting of the radiator. Can someone go out and measure their support to make me feel better about purchasing this one?
I just went out and measured the one on a 76 F250 parts truck and the 72 F100 I bought yesterday.Both measure 31 inches.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/79 F100/350
There are THREE core supports as original.
1973/78: D3TZ-16138-D .. Use with Round Headlamps - WITHOUT Super Cooling Radiator. Two sets of mounting holes. 1. 23" between radiator mounting holes. 2. 25 1/2" between radiator mounting holes.
1973/78: D3TZ-16138-B .. Use with Round Headlamps WITH Super Cooling Radiator. 28 1/2" between radiator mounting holes.
1978/79: D8TZ-16138-A .. Use with Rectangular Headlamps ~ With or without Super Cooling Radiator ~ Note, this radiator support has indentations where the rectangular headlamp buckets mount.
1973/78: D3TZ-16138-D .. Use with Round Headlamps - WITHOUT Super Cooling Radiator. Two sets of mounting holes. 1. 23" between radiator mounting holes. 2. 25 1/2" between radiator mounting holes.
1973/78: D3TZ-16138-B .. Use with Round Headlamps WITH Super Cooling Radiator. 28 1/2" between radiator mounting holes.
1978/79: D8TZ-16138-A .. Use with Rectangular Headlamps ~ With or without Super Cooling Radiator ~ Note, this radiator support has indentations where the rectangular headlamp buckets mount.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Jun 3, 2007 at 02:01 PM.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by bucks77ford
The mounting holes that bolt to the frame are the same for all supports. The radiator mounting options are different.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
Awesome, thanks. I think I am set now to purchase. The 31" is what I was looking for. I am running a custom radiator anyway, so radiator opening width really doesn't matter to me that much, except more opening, better flow.
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