Radiator Help? 302
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Central Coast, California
Radiator Help? 302
Okay I got the Buick out of my 51 F1. I am putting in a 302 and would like to know what you guys suggest and have used for a radiator with a 5.0 302..... Thanks In advance....
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,849
Likes: 0
From: S.C.
Mine came from a Ford a big bronco, I think it was a 78, I just went to Autozone and ask for a Ford radiator and started measuring until I had one that would fit pretty good.
P.S. I just realize you said F1 mine is a 55, I don't know if there is much difference in the measurements.
P.S. I just realize you said F1 mine is a 55, I don't know if there is much difference in the measurements.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
Likes: 9,975
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Way back, when I was trying to decide what to to for a radiator in my F1 for my Caddy engine, I started scrounging through the online catalogs. There are several catalogs that will show you a picture of the radiator, complete with mounting flanges, inlet and outlet locations and sizes, etc. I searched until I found a listing that sounded liek it would work for my application then I went and ordered it from my local auto parts store NAPA, Checker, O'Reilley, PepBoys, etc.
What worked for me was a mid 70'd Dodge truck with a 440ci engine. Others have used the mid 70'd Dodge truck with a small block engine.
Here's a couple of good radiator links;
U.S. Radiator Catalog
Radiators, automotive radiators, condenser, oem radiators, truck radiators
Quanta Products
Good luck with it
Bobby
What worked for me was a mid 70'd Dodge truck with a 440ci engine. Others have used the mid 70'd Dodge truck with a small block engine.
Here's a couple of good radiator links;
U.S. Radiator Catalog
Radiators, automotive radiators, condenser, oem radiators, truck radiators
Quanta Products
Good luck with it
Bobby
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 22,017
Likes: 9,975
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Just another helpful bit of stuff for radiator swaps;
If you end up no being able to get a radiator with the inleet or outlet sizes that match your engine, Napa stocks rubber hose reducer bushings in a wide range of sizes.
Here's the part #'2 and the corresponding sizes
NBH900 from 1.5" to 1.25"
NBH901 from 1.75" to 1.5"
NBH902 from 2" to 1.75"
NBH903 from 2.25" to 2"
NBH904 from 2.5" to 2.25"
NBH605 from 3" to 2.5"
These little buggers can be quite handy
Bobby
If you end up no being able to get a radiator with the inleet or outlet sizes that match your engine, Napa stocks rubber hose reducer bushings in a wide range of sizes.
Here's the part #'2 and the corresponding sizes
NBH900 from 1.5" to 1.25"
NBH901 from 1.75" to 1.5"
NBH902 from 2" to 1.75"
NBH903 from 2.25" to 2"
NBH904 from 2.5" to 2.25"
NBH605 from 3" to 2.5"
These little buggers can be quite handy
Bobby
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Guelph
I used one for the mid 70s Dodge truck aswell. Had to move the lower hose pipe to the other side of the tank to get hose on same side as water pump outlet.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 3
From: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Isaiah,
I bought a reproduction 6 cylinder radiator for the '48 I'm working on. The lower radiator output is on the wrong side (passenger) as the water pump inlet is on the drivers side. I had a friend at a local muffler shop fab up some exhaust tubing to go under the harmonic balancer and then up to the lower radiator neck. I'm still putting the truck together so I haven't run it yet but it should work well. You can also check Hot Rods (www.hotrodstrucks.com) as they can get you a factory style radiator with the inlet and outlet positioned where you want and the price is very competitive. I bought mine from LMC before I realized Hot Rods sold them for custom applications.
I bought a reproduction 6 cylinder radiator for the '48 I'm working on. The lower radiator output is on the wrong side (passenger) as the water pump inlet is on the drivers side. I had a friend at a local muffler shop fab up some exhaust tubing to go under the harmonic balancer and then up to the lower radiator neck. I'm still putting the truck together so I haven't run it yet but it should work well. You can also check Hot Rods (www.hotrodstrucks.com) as they can get you a factory style radiator with the inlet and outlet positioned where you want and the price is very competitive. I bought mine from LMC before I realized Hot Rods sold them for custom applications.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,192
Likes: 4,805
From: Burbank, WA
I built my first F-1 back in the late 70's and drove it in high school. It was a 50, and I put a 289/C4 combo with a 69 truck 9" in it, and used the stock 6 cylinder radiator. It worked fine. What kind of rad is in it now, cooling the old Buick engine?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Check out a radiator for a 68-69 Mustang with a 390 V8. I haven't got one yet but that is the one I've been eyeballing for my 49 F-1 with a 302. It appears that the outlets are correct, comes in a three row so it should cool well, and the size is close...
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: McAlester, OK
I used a radiator from a 70's Ford truck/e-van with my 390. I trimmed the flanges and the thing fits sunggly like it's made for it. Ran at around 180 period (Texas panhandle). Definely overkill. I have a radiator from a '91 Cougar V6 and it would fit flush with the tops of the fenders and snug side to side. The unit has room for more rows but looks a little small for a 302. Makes me wonder if the 5.0 radiator is thicker for the same year but not wider. Anyone got one?
Clayton
Clayton
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: McAlester, OK
Got me to thinking so I just looked at the part numbers for the '91 cougar 5.0 & 3.8 radiators and they are the same. I know what I'm using now! I just crammed my 5.0 in there last week so I couldn't tell you about the cooling abilities yet.
Clayton
Clayton
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tractormanbill
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Oct 2, 2014 12:58 PM
caseys
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
14
Nov 1, 2011 09:17 PM
