Plastic Tank Radiator
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: NW NJ
Plastic Tank Radiator
1986 F250 351 H.O. Auto
Radiator just blew out ... literally a piece of the plastic tank blew out. I never even knew they made plastic tank/aluminum core replacement radiators.
Anybody use these plastic things with success? I feel that I should spend the money on an all metal one ... although the family budget is hurting.
Radiator just blew out ... literally a piece of the plastic tank blew out. I never even knew they made plastic tank/aluminum core replacement radiators.
Anybody use these plastic things with success? I feel that I should spend the money on an all metal one ... although the family budget is hurting.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Cinci,Ohio
Stupid radiators.I had one in my car and my truck.The one in the car popped.The one in the truck is leaking right now.Save your money and get a nice one.
Oh,and I have the exact same truck as you.
86 F250 351w.Auto.
Oh,and I have the exact same truck as you.
86 F250 351w.Auto.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,005
Likes: 2,750
From: Virginia
The plastic ones are repairable though if you want to try to get by. A radiator guy told me the tabs can be bent back, and new or good used tank can be installed with a new gasket. He said you can do this about 3 times before the tabs finally break off.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Buddy of mine says when the radiator blows out like that to check the catalytic converter, probably clogged or empty and the muffler is clogged. Don't know if its true, but this particular buddy is smarter than most.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
Yeah, having a radiator recored is pretty much removing the tanks from your old core and putting them on a new one. When you just have it rodded out, they remove the tanks and run metal rods through the tubes to clean them. No reason they cant simply replace the tank side that broke, unless they are trying to make a buck and refuse to sell just what you need.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
One thing I know about the 1986 F250 Plastic Radiator is buy a good one. The one I have now has been in for going on 3 years. I wanted to change mine over to a metal & to do so like factory you have to find an 80s with a diesel & take every bracket, clip, bolt, rubber, etc. including the radiator. I tried to buy that stuff from a dealer 5 years ago without luck. There are several different types of radiators in these years. From my research the plastic started in 1986 gas units. A friend of mine worked in parts at a Ford dealership when I tried to get brackets etc he just kept coming up with no longer available.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Cinci,Ohio
Back when my other mustang was running I bought a 120 dollar rad for it from autozone.It was all metal 2 core and came with a lifetime warranty.Untill recently when they switched to the plastic aluminum stuff.My last one popped in my other mustang while it was on its last Dyno run for the day.
The one in my truck is still leaking.IM a broke *** from Christmas.But I did call over to One of my radiator dealers here in town and they gave me a pretty good price on a 2.25" plastic-aluminum visteon rad.So I guess im going to buy it today.
The one in my truck is still leaking.IM a broke *** from Christmas.But I did call over to One of my radiator dealers here in town and they gave me a pretty good price on a 2.25" plastic-aluminum visteon rad.So I guess im going to buy it today.
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 40
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Personally, I think any radiator lasting 22 years is a good deal.
Plastic headers baking in underhood fumes and ozone that long....
When I had to replace mine a couple of years back the guy at my radiator shop said ..
"I can get you one with metal tanks this afternoon. But why would you spend the extra $50?
Do you expect to still be driving that tank 20 years from now?"
Ron was right.
I paid for the one off his shelf, he pressure tested it and I was back in business.
Plastic headers baking in underhood fumes and ozone that long....
When I had to replace mine a couple of years back the guy at my radiator shop said ..
"I can get you one with metal tanks this afternoon. But why would you spend the extra $50?
Do you expect to still be driving that tank 20 years from now?"
Ron was right.
I paid for the one off his shelf, he pressure tested it and I was back in business.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
Personally, I think any radiator lasting 22 years is a good deal.
Plastic headers baking in underhood fumes and ozone that long....
When I had to replace mine a couple of years back the guy at my radiator shop said ..
"I can get you one with metal tanks this afternoon. But why would you spend the extra $50?
Do you expect to still be driving that tank 20 years from now?"
Ron was right.
I paid for the one off his shelf, he pressure tested it and I was back in business.
Plastic headers baking in underhood fumes and ozone that long....
When I had to replace mine a couple of years back the guy at my radiator shop said ..
"I can get you one with metal tanks this afternoon. But why would you spend the extra $50?
Do you expect to still be driving that tank 20 years from now?"
Ron was right.
I paid for the one off his shelf, he pressure tested it and I was back in business.
Craig