guys, i read through the archives and im somewhat clear on what will fit and what will not (although it appears the jury is still out in some cases)

Anyway, I guess im wondering what radiator that i can swap into my 66 would be an "upgrade" to my stock one. I assume some of the fitment talk about the later model radiators came about because they are better than the stock ones... but im still confused.

Im running a 390 an auto (though cooled by a seperate trans cooler) and it gets a bit hotter than my old 352 and ill probably use it harder. my current radiator is damaged badly and needs to be replaced, but i figured if im doing the swap i should upgrade.

i dont want to mess with the core support. drilling holes in the radiator mounting flanges is doable. i guess i can change rad hoses if needed (but current hoses are new and not cheap) it doesnt have to be the best possible upgrade, just the best one that i can easily swap. the truck is my daily driver and its been down forever with a new engine, auto trans conversion, and power steering conversion: so im a little thin on patience for big projects.

will a rad for a 73 f250 (390 manual with ac) be better than the stock one? and would it fit? i may have access to one of those... it appears to be the same size.

 

update after more research:

Looks like a 4 row is the only upgrade and it appears to be a different core support, so thats out for me.

So LMC lists the same part number for a radiator for:

73-76 2wd F-Series
66-72 2wd F-100/250

LMC #: 43-3010 ($249.95)

in the notes section, it shows it is a 3 row with a front flange mount.

Looked up a radiator for a 66 on the Napa website. it lists part NR 444 and a price of $285 and says its a rear flange mount.

Then looked up a 73 at Napa. It says part no. NR 433 and a price of $195.

Wondering how LMC says its the same radiator and napa says its different. I am also wondering how its worth 100 bucks to move the flanges to the rear

 

I had to buy a new rad for my 66, I got one from the local radiator shop for $200. It is aluminum with plastic tank, fits perfect except it is wider than the original 2 row, still a 2 row but wider!

 

Well... I would try a small radiator shop. When I was working on dropping the 390 into my other 65, I thought it would be good to combine a couple of radiators, since the 65 is a one-year mounting set-up and I moved to an auto. When I stopped by my favorite shop, he pulled a cat number for a direct bolt in and it had the trans cooler built in. Cost was $200 and it was a Modine radiator, brand new in the box. Best bet is to take your radiator in with you and they will get you set up correctly the first time.
Just $.02's --Mike

 

Hmmm, well considering you dont live far from me, canyou tell me the radiator shop you use. i usually use performance on south broadway but they dont have it in stock... for a change.
i picked one up at napa for 195 + tax. its a 73 application on their website but it looks to be identical to the one in my 66. the one in my truck is definately front flange mounted. going to try to drop it in tonight so iwill let you guys know.

 

okay, dont know if its an upgrade or not, but a shiny new radiator is in and its not damaged and leaking so it has to be better than the old stock one (it was a fomoco c code part). radiator for a 73 with a 390 2wd. bolted right up and was same size. the top hose was a tiny bit smaller but seals just fine. This one is aluminum with plastic tanks. wierd to see in an old truck. it was 90 bucks less than the radiator napa listed for a 66... dont know where they get thier info from but i'm pretty happy i got on here and searched as well as did some extra research to find one almost a hundred bucks cheaper. my fingers are crossed that i'll be running cool again.