I thought I would share my recent experience in replacing the radiator in my 95 F150 with a 4.9L and automatic.

I bought new hoses and a replacement radiator and thought I was good to go until I tried to install the new lower radiator hose. It was a Gates from Advance Auto. It looked the same, but is an inch or so shorter on one end and the formed angle near the radiator is not the same as the original. I installed it and the hose was about 1/4" or less from the air pump pulley and it rubbed the frame. The end that attached to the radiator wasn't square and would not fit up right.

Since it was Sunday, all of the Ford dealers were closed so I couldn't get a Motorcraft part. I drove around to NAPA, O-Reilly, AutoZone, and CarQuest. In all I saw at least 3 completly different hoses that were supposed to be the right one. Some were cut to fit (yeah, right). None of them had the spring inside like the original to keep it from collapsing.

I gave up and parked the project until Monday and had my wife take me to work. After work I picked up a Motorcraft hose at the Ford dealer. It was just like the original and even had the spring inside. It was $10 more than the Gates, but worth every penny.

So my advice to you if you are installing a new lower radiator hose is to go straight to Ford and pick one up. You will be sorry if you don't.

Now if I can just get the AT cooler fittings to seal up, I will be in good shape.

 

Regarding getting the AT cooler fittings to seal up. Have you tried a littel teflon tape? Provided it's not a real sloppy fit but just needs a little help geting snug.. it usually does the trick. Good luck!