F1 radiator replacement
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,338
Likes: 167
From: Harpswell Maine
Tom,
Good looking California truck! Mine, Willard came from San Jose.
I would decide on a radiator first and then go after the air dams. I am set up with the Dodge truck radiator (sbc) with the mounts in the V-8 positon and I used the upper V-8 air dam and fabricated a new lower air dam. If you look in my gallery in the AC installation pix you will see the surface rusty (at that time) lower air dam, easy piece to make. The upper is a bit more challanging to fab. If you look at the underside of your hood, you will see the unused, in your case, set of holes where the V-8 upper dam is fastened. Being that it is located further back in the nose of the hood, it is a slightly longer piece than the 6 cylinder piece.
If I remember correctly I stayed at an Inn in Yountville on a visit to Napa Valley many years ago when I lived out there for several years.
Good looking California truck! Mine, Willard came from San Jose.
I would decide on a radiator first and then go after the air dams. I am set up with the Dodge truck radiator (sbc) with the mounts in the V-8 positon and I used the upper V-8 air dam and fabricated a new lower air dam. If you look in my gallery in the AC installation pix you will see the surface rusty (at that time) lower air dam, easy piece to make. The upper is a bit more challanging to fab. If you look at the underside of your hood, you will see the unused, in your case, set of holes where the V-8 upper dam is fastened. Being that it is located further back in the nose of the hood, it is a slightly longer piece than the 6 cylinder piece.
If I remember correctly I stayed at an Inn in Yountville on a visit to Napa Valley many years ago when I lived out there for several years.
FTE fan
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 11
From: paradise, northern calif.
my1 1/2 cent is i got a 4 row with trans cooler from sac vintage a few years ago, my 302 runs at 160,im happy with it. personoly ive found better quality at sac than .( some) other places. just my opinion and expereince, yours may be different. have fun and keep on truckin JIMMY PS at the time i think i paid about $350
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Tom, On an original truck, the upper (bolted to the underside of the hood)and lower (just below the radiator-bolted to the lower front edge of the ineer fenders) air dams are different for the 6 cylinder and the V-8. Are the original air dams still in place? The air dams help direct air thru the radiator.
If you need original V-8 air dams they come up on ebay and others on the forum may have a set to sell.
If you need original V-8 air dams they come up on ebay and others on the forum may have a set to sell.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 1
From: Yountville Ca
lower V8 air dam
Thanks Bill I looked at your gallery photos of the lower V8 air dam and for sure you're correct I can make one. I'm OK with sheet metal work-I've got lots of stock, and something flat with some bent ends etc is certainly doable for a "work truck" type build etc. Maybe someday I'll take it apart and make something really nice, but right now I'm just replacing missing parts etc and doing mechanical plus wiring and getting it solid for road use etc. Sometimes I don't start with a "frame off" really nice build--but I've done that before and sometimes I like to "work my way up to it" and maybe that's what I'm doing. I never know for sure. I may get this running good and then "tear it apart" and do the cosmetics lol. Depends how long I live and how much money I have. Probably not too much of either--old and retired .
Thanks
Tom
.Thanks
Tom
New User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
My 2 cents is with Coolcraft(made in the USA), I bought a 4 row for my French FH and a 3300 cfm electric fan from summit and there working great together. They offer both brass and aluminum type old school or new.
Cool Craft | Home Cool Craft
Cool Craft | Home Cool Craft
This is shawn from Cool Craft. I stumbled upon this. Just wanted to let you know that our copper/brass and aluminum radiators are made by U.S. Radiator. We even have the shroud/electric fan combos that we will mount for you. And if you sign up for our newsletter, you'll get a 5% off coupon for your first order. Sorry if sounds like a sales pitch, but since both U.S. Radiator and Cool Craft were suggested, I thought I'd share how to save some cash.
Anyways, if you have any question, feel free to ask. I'm glad I found this forum since I got a '40 ford truck sitting outside my office that needs a ton of work :-)
shawn
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 1
From: Yountville Ca
relocate radiator support
I got that radiator support et al moved to the V8 position. I haven't got the replacement radiator+ yet, but I replaced all to see how it should fit and with the existing fan and existing spacer it seems to fit just great. Once i get the actual replacement radiator I may need to make some sort of adjustment, but it all looks so much more doable now. Before, when it was located in the 6 cylinder position, it was a great distance to the fan.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
Core size
What is the core size of your original radiator ?
Do the aftermarket ones measure the same dimensions or smaller ?
Nice looking truck.
Tom
Do the aftermarket ones measure the same dimensions or smaller ?
Nice looking truck.
Tom
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 1
From: Yountville Ca
Thanks. Glad you like the truck. The radiator is OEM I guess and the core measures w21" h21.5". And some of the available replacements look to be the same core size--NPD--catalog comes to mind. And they along with all the others have quite a few variations. Sacramento Vintage Ford has some nice looking pricey units that appear somewhat OEM looking but move the inlet/outlets etc to your needs. Nice. And also have auto tranny coolers built in etc. But they cost a lot of course. I'm kinda leaning towards the NPD unit that is the cheapest --Not sure of their current price but my catalog old? maybe says something like $330 for a OEM type replacement thats "bolts in" etc. as needed but I guess is more modern tank etc.--whatever, but not vintage looking. The OEM unit cooled the 312Y block just fine, but now its starting to come apart.
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warren561
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Dec 26, 2015 11:27 AM
