What size Radiator are you running?

Southern64 · Post by **Southern64** » October 16, 2009, 6:57 am

Just trying to decide which direction to go.

OGNC · Post by **OGNC** » October 16, 2009, 5:33 pm

It is the stock one for the 66 with the 240 inline 6 and it is SMALL! I would go with as big a brass one as you could get.

Aluminum ones are great, but they fall victim to electrolysis (kinda like rust for aluminum) and is found in anything that creates the slightest bit of kinetic friction. It is better known as static electricity and it is created by every bearing, seal, belt on a pulley, transmission gear set, rear end ring and pinion... etc.

So unless you are going to run ground straps all over the place, that expensive aluminum radiator won't be here in 20-years like the rest of the truck will hopefully be...

Anthony · Post by **Anthony** » October 16, 2009, 5:49 pm

I am thinking that mine is stock also but

with OGNC on the biggest brass one you can find...
Anthony

Post by **Greg D** » October 16, 2009, 6:49 pm

Never had a problem with a stock Slick radiator in good condition. Even had some the had minor "issues" keep the engine plenty cool - just required a topping off now and then.

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » October 16, 2009, 8:51 pm

I run that huge 4 Row, Super Duty Pricey one, out of 73 - 79 Camper & Trailer Specials and F-350 HD's.
I also run a recapture system because of coolant expansion 385 series engines experience when shut down.

FBp

Southern64 · Post by **Southern64** » October 16, 2009, 10:54 pm

Is the stock one with a fan enough to cool, I swapped for a 302

macgiobuin · Post by **macgiobuin** » October 17, 2009, 12:16 am

I use the "stock" radiator that goes with the 302 I put in my slick...still needs a fan shroud to keep from getting too hot.

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » October 17, 2009, 12:29 am

we need those? crap, another thing i need to buy before it's drivable. lol

JFCDeuce · Post by **JFCDeuce** » October 17, 2009, 2:44 am

I had a stock 62 radiator from a 223 truck re-cored with a 3 core at a local shop, about $220 if I remember. It works fine even here in Vegas on my 289CI, with a stuck thermostat it ran 110 everywhere, now with a 195, it runs great all the time. Only a 12 mile slow uphim in the summer has made it get up around 200-ish.

Brians1966 · Post by **Brians1966** » October 17, 2009, 9:41 am

Southern64
We did what OGNC said with our 66 F100(300 CID). We change the small 2 row original radiator to a larger 3 row(19"x26" core). Was a drop in installation and had no issues with hoses, Advance Auto had them in stock.
We have been working on the truck for 4 years and finally got it on the road this year, we made a longer run last weekend(250 miles) and had no issues at all with overheating. Watched our temp quage it never got above 180- and when the thermostat open temp dropped down to about 135/140.
and thats with the stock 4 blade fan and no shroud.
My brother in law used the same radiator with a slightly built 390 in his 65 F100, with a stock 5 blade fan and no shroud and has had no issues either.
If I remember right we paid 220-240 for the radiator 3 years ago.
Hoped this helped you out Brian

charliemccraney · Post by **charliemccraney** » October 17, 2009, 10:27 am

I'm running the 19x26 3 row. I need to use a shroud. In the summer here in Atlanta, even with that big radiator, it will get hot if I get stuck in traffic.

Were there any shrouds for these trucks? I don't think I've seen one either in a salvage yard or at a show.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » October 17, 2009, 11:18 am

charliemccraney wrote:I'm running the 19x26 3 row. I need to use a shroud. In the summer here in Atlanta, even with that big radiator, it will get hot if I get stuck in traffic.

Were there any shrouds for these trucks? I don't think I've seen one either in a salvage yard or at a show.

my 61 f 500 had a metal shroud for its oversize 223 radiator, will fit on the large y block radiator too.

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » October 17, 2009, 1:04 pm

This is more likely the biggest radiator you can put in a 61-64 or 65 support with out no rad modifiactions to the support or radiator

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I have both these radiators one in my 1964 big slick and the other one in my 72 crew cab which is plenty cool for most engines...,,,, Tom....

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » October 17, 2009, 9:31 pm

Yeah, the one Tom posted leaning on the fender with the 450 emblem.
I run that with the recapture system, and a shroud, and a 198 T-Stat and
a 5 blade Flex Fan with the hole hogged out to fit the bigger 385 series W/ pump shaft.
It's a bit noisy with that flex fan although I am sure it helps with fuel mileage & performance
as much as with cooling the engine on days we have heat index #'s in tripple digits here . . . .
I got it out of a 77 F-250 Supercab trailer special, It does the job great, it's all brass & copper
& grounded also. Plus I use 50/50 long life coolant in the system.

FBp

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » October 18, 2009, 1:59 am

I`ve got a 4 row copper and brass radiator out of a XW/XY GTHO falcon ( which doesn't mean much to you I`d say!)

. I run an electric fan no shroud on a 351 Clevo, the guy at the radiator shop said to use soluble oil in the water and forget the coolants and anti freeze.

Max · Post by **Max** » October 18, 2009, 5:31 am

I have a new 4 core Desert Cooler made for 67-72 F100's with a V8 and will run an electric fan setup.

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » October 18, 2009, 7:20 am

I used a ford 444 radiator with my 302. I got it for $175.00. I'm not sure the exact original application. The number was shared by another member.. Top hose pass side , bottom on drivers side with trans cooler.

The top hose was for a ford truck, the bottom was just a flex hose..

It is a big radiator so patience is needed when mounting so the cap clears the hood.. You can see in the pic how high the cap is.. If I had a stock radiator to have rebuilt I would have gone that route..

6166 Junkyard Dog · Post by **6166 Junkyard Dog** » October 18, 2009, 9:23 am

HERE Is some past little tricks that have seen to keep you cool,, First thing throw that pretty flex fan away and put a Ford flex fan on not pretty but will do a better job,, next bottom hose I use short hose to where the bend is . then use either a small elbow out of metal like s/s or exhaust pipe then another short piece to radiator and this will prevent bottom hose sucking shut and I have seen some water pumps do this on lower hose andalso a shroud if not factory make one... or have one made

65f100_Thug · Post by **65f100_Thug** » October 18, 2009, 3:07 pm

Im using a 360 radiator for my 302 cost 200.00 at carquest.

65fordguy · Post by **65fordguy** » October 18, 2009, 5:04 pm

Got a new one from the parts store for a 1975 ford f100
with a big block.

4 rows and tranny cooler.. paired with an electric fan.

radiator from autozone was 140
Fan from AdvanceAuto 120 with thermostat control