Sorry for a bit off topic here but my 97's core support is rotted oput and needs replaced. Finances dictate I buy it now but time wont be available to install it until this winter. I dont want a screw up that could be hard to rectify later. Can anyone tell me for sure that a F4TZ-16138-A would be the correct core support for a 97 with A/C? What confuses me is when you punch that number into Google all the aftermarket suppliers say thier part replaces F4TZ-16138-A but wont fit trucks with A/C as I have read here. Called Ford to get price and availability and thats the part number they gave me, said it fits trucks with A/C. Price is $460 by the way from Ford. Thanks in advance

 

You might try LMC & give them a call.

 

contact partsguyed.com He's one of our sponsors and he would know for sure.

 

I have bought core supports from every aftermarket supplier I could find! none of them fit......... they only fit the early '94 trucks(when they still had copper radiators and overflow tanks). no one has one that will fit late 94 to '97 aftermarket. all of them I have bought were too short for the radiator.
if you do decide to try ordering an aftermarket support measure the height of yours and make them open theirs and measure it.
as for ford none of the dealers around here can even order it! (or they are too lazy to look for it)

 

just ordered on from a dealer here and it cost me $155 cost, not sure of the part nuimber though

 

That is what I have heard as well

 

I am convinced that aftermarket wont fit. Parts guy said dealers can sell both Ford and aftermarket panels, i didnt know that? He said he has been there many times and Ford core support fits, aftermarket does not even though the aftermarket part referances the correct part number?? I ordered one today, we shal see I guess. I plan to measure it where exactly does the aftermarket item not measure up?

 

Did you ever figure out your rad support? I have a 97 350 and am looking for one that will work with ac. Everything I found say without ac.

 

just went thru the same thing last fall. I found one at a ford stealership for $600, NAPD same price. LMC does not carry one for an ac truck. I ordered one for a gasser and cut it up and used parts from new and old to make one. I would order the non ac one and modify that one. Wasnt to hard, once you have both side by side to see the difference.