I'm stuck,
I have removed the radiator from my 1997 Explorer Limited and I can't get the new one back in.
There are two tabs on the drivers side of the airconditioner radiator that fit into the new airconditioner except there is no way to align and insert them them.
The shop manual does not mention these tabs. It says undo everything and lift up after releasing the clip on the bottom passenger side of the radiator.
I can't get a hand in between the two radiators to align them or move them into place.

Any ideas?

BC

 

I'll look in the Ford CD's. If I find something, I'll get back to you.

 

Assuming yours is a 5.0 I have 3 pics to send you if you will send me a private email with your email address, or if you prefer, I will post them on my website for a few days.

I don't think they will tell you anything you haven't already read though.
Let me know.

 

clarkbr, my email bounced, so I can't send the pics. Can't send you a private one either.

 

Thanks for the try winfordr. I appreciate the assistance.
I'm going to talk with a shop on monday to see if they have any advice.
If not I may have it towed to them to finish it up.

Brian

 

My information doesn't mention removing the condensor, or removing the a/c compresser, etc. Just says to remove the bolts and slide the thing out. Keep us posted!

 

I hope my learning here can help others.
If you have a 1997 Explorer Limited with a 5.0 liter engine, the shop manual does not accurately describe the radiator replacement process (nor does the Haynes manual).
Disconnect and remove the air intake.
Remove the air shield under the radiator. There are for bolts holding it in place, remove them then pull down (there is a retainer on each side that will easily release.
The radiator drain is under the air shield.
Unclip the oil cooler lines next to the radiator drain.
While you are down on the ground notice that there is a air deflector attached to the air-conditioner condenser. It is held on by a bayonet retainer (one on each side) - pop those loose.
To remove the radiator, remove the two upper bolts holding on the fan shroud.
Disconnect the upper and lower radiator hoses and the overflow line.
Disconnect the two transmission cooler lines. So far, so good according to the manual.
The manual does not mention that to go farther you have to remove the air-conditioning condenser with the radiator. The air-conditioning condenser is connected to the radiator by a bolt on the passenger side, a clip on the bottom of the assembly on the passenger side and two tabs and a guide on the drivers side of the assembly.
Disconnect the air-conditioning inlet and outlet after recovering the AC fill. There is a 13mm nut on a threaded stud just above the inlet and outlet lines that secures the tubing assembly. Keep this clean.
Now remove the two bolts holding the radiator to the front frame and wiggle the whole assembly straight up.
Remove and save the overflow clips, mounting grommets and the oil cooler line clips from the bottom of the radiator.
Installation is the reverse. Install the lower radiator hose first to the engine. If you do it after it is a real pain to get the upper clamp tight.

Time to go back out in the snow and make sure the whole thing is not leaking.

Brian

 

Brian,
you seem pretty sure that this is the only way (to remove condenser). I cant believe that! is this b/c you used an aftermarket radiator? (that you had problems aligning the tabs)

 

well I'm here to tell you (any one with an Explorer with the 5.0L- mine happens to be a 1997) that you DO NOT have to remove the condenser to change the radiator. I JUST finished- my hands are still greasy- and I won't deny the fact that it would make life easy for those of you that don't happen to have access to an a/c recovery machine, but I don't and you do have to jimmy it around a bit to get the tabs in right, it might even help to have a helper move the bottom of the radiato and condenser around from the ground while you work the top. But I was considering not doing this myself as I didn't want to have to deal with the a/c lines, but I said F it and did it anyway and just finished the little job w/o doing the condenser removal. so that is the bottom line