Howdy, First off, I know the old axiom that states, "you get what you pay for". But I'm always looking for a great deal so I bought a three row aluminum radiator from an eBay store. They guaranteed the quality and fit and they have a 24 hour hotline. I recieved the radiator in less than a week and it was not damaged although the box was opened when it arrived. Of course now I'm excited and I set to work removing the old factory unit and cleaning up the area prior to the new install. I start to set the new unit in place and it hits me that the mounting holes are on the wrong side of the radiator. I experience a double take moment and then lift it back out to assess my options. The side flanges have been fastened with metric cap screws and nuts so I'm thinking that I could turn the side flanges around. I called the toll free number and got an operator with a decidedly foreign sounding voice. He was trying his darndest to be helpful but it soon became painfully obvious that he did not know one end of the screw driver from the other. After getting my info including the part number and the vehicle VIN( which they use to track complaints) he told me that they could send me another unit but that it would probably be exactly like the one I already received. I told him that I might be able to modify the one I had and he said that if I was successful, his company would be willing to offer me some sort of a rebate. Well, I got the side flanges removed after modifying a 10mm end wrench to hold the nuts that had been tack welded to the cap screws. I had to bend four aluminum tabs to access the nuts. So far so good. I turned the side flanges around so that the mounting holes were on the front side of the radiator and fastened them back with 1/4" hardware. I then dropped the radiator into the engine bay and it bolted right up. I shifted it around to get it square and tightened it up. Wow, it looked pretty good until I noticed that the hood release was pushing in on the fins in one spot. Out came the radiator and I had to make four 7/16" shims to pad it out to get enough clearance for the release. I was able to straighten the fins adequately. I rubbed some Mother's polish on the raeiator and it looks pretty good. I called the company and told them what a PIA it had been to make it work. I suggested that the sales department get in touch with manufacturing and get things straightened out but you know that won't happen. Anyway they offered me a $25 credit on my VISA for all of the trouble I went through. Even though the product was poorly engineered, the customer service was better than most. So I learned again that most of the time it is better so spend a little more and get something that fits. I'm sure that during future quests for a "deal", I will probably learn it again. Steve

 

Me tips me hat to you sir, I love to hear stories like this. Bill will jerk you chain about part numbers, but you made it work.

GOOD FOR YOU.



John

 

Learn, you won't learn. How can one learn not to be a cheap azz. I've suffered from this my entire life and don't believe a cure exists, other than winning the lottery, lol. Care to tell us which company. We might show you up and get $50 back.

 

I want to know how well it works, the 4 core cooling my 428 is just barely up to the task. Yes I have a shroud!!

 

When I was looking for a radiator for my 65 F-100 with a 352, it seemed impossible. I went to all the major parts stores to no avail. I checked in Jegs and Summit, but all anyone had that was specifically made for my truck were racing applications at a price that I would never associate with a radiator nor would I pay those prices. I eventually ordered a universal fit from Summit. I too was excited when it finally came, but when I began installing it, the mounts were also backwards. I sent it back and made sure the order was correct and received another with the same issue. They put me into contact with Griffin Radiators, the manufacturer of the two previous, to figure out the problem. Apparently, the 65 F-100 had radiator mounts one way for the V6 and the opposite for the V8, and no one at either company realized it. It cost me $500 and a lot of headaches to figure this out, but now that I get to drive my truck everyday i'm glad I did.

 

Update: I've been driving my '66 with the new aluminum radiator now for three days and it runs just slightly cooler than the original unit. (I do not and never have had a fan shroud.) This does not surprise me because the old unit had lots of junk in it besides the fact that it was starting to seep around the top tank. The eBay store where I aquired it is called carpartswholesale. They have racked up over 438,000 transactions and have a 98.7% positive feedback score. Now that the installation nightmare is over, I'm pleased with the unit and it does look good. Since there seems to be so much trouble getting the correct radiator for these trucks, I wonder if it would be a good idea to save the old one. It could be recored. Steve

 

Anyone got a stock 64 radiator picture handy with meausurements? I have a Mopar 2 core in mine for some reason beyond me other than it fit the hole when one of the previous owners butched the 351W in place. I can't upgrade the thing to a 3 core since the lower tank is only 2 core wide unlike the upper tank. OK I am done whining. I still sit at 190 with a custom shroud and a 460. :-)

 

In the last issue of classic Trucks, they are building a 67-72 F-100. They put in a new aluminum radiator that is a exact replica of the ones in out trucks. Including the stamped style tanks. and it is also a top and bottom tank instead of a side to side mount tank. Just something else to check out. I'm not sure of the maker.

 

Shorty, I believe Be Cool makes a custom fit, however at over $500 it is beyond my reach anyway!!

Steve, how much was it if you don't mind?

 

1964's all use the same core support.

While the F100/250 223 or 292 radiator specs are not listed in the parts catalog, the F350's are.

223/262 I-6: WIDTH: 26 3/4" / HEIGHT: 18" / THICKNESS: 2 1/8"

292: WIDTH: 26 5/8" / HEIGHT: 18" / THICKNESS: 2 1/4"
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pffan021: The only F Series trucks that used a V6 engine were the 1982/83 F100's (232cid/3.8L).

Shorty 66: 1965's do not use the same radiators as the 1966's. They will not interchange.

 

The buy it now price for the radiator was $153.00 and $37.30 to ship to the Great Northwest. Steve

 

Thanks Bill.