Replacement Radiator for Y Block 62 Slick
Posted: July 9, 2008, 2:24 pm
After 1 week of research, a few outrageous estimates to repair my "classic" radiator, and seeing that a "proper" OEM replacement from LMC runs about $465, I finally found a good quality substitute for my 62 that fit with minimal headaches. Here's the best part...$199 bucks! 
This info will apply primarily to owners of 61 thru 63 Slicks. Everybody else is still OK since you can still get radiators going back to 1964 thru automotive parts stores. The problem is the books the parts stores (and the radiator guys) use seem to end at 1964, plus the older F-Series radiators had those pesky "bucket headers" that were prone to leaks.
Anyway, I purchased a "Ford 444" radiator. It goes by part # 433444 at NAPA, Car Quest, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, Summit and Advance. It's designed for Ford F-Series from 67 thru 78. It's all old school brass and copper and it was an almost perfect fit for my truck. I was able to use all my existing hoses. The only mods were drilling 4 new holes in the mounting ears to fit my core support. The new radiator sits just a bit taller than the old one so I needed to fit it carefully for both hood and cross member clearance. Otherwise it was a simple install.
So there ya go Y-Block owners. A quick easy fix for that old leaky radiator, without paying collector prices!
This info will apply primarily to owners of 61 thru 63 Slicks. Everybody else is still OK since you can still get radiators going back to 1964 thru automotive parts stores. The problem is the books the parts stores (and the radiator guys) use seem to end at 1964, plus the older F-Series radiators had those pesky "bucket headers" that were prone to leaks.
Anyway, I purchased a "Ford 444" radiator. It goes by part # 433444 at NAPA, Car Quest, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, Summit and Advance. It's designed for Ford F-Series from 67 thru 78. It's all old school brass and copper and it was an almost perfect fit for my truck. I was able to use all my existing hoses. The only mods were drilling 4 new holes in the mounting ears to fit my core support. The new radiator sits just a bit taller than the old one so I needed to fit it carefully for both hood and cross member clearance. Otherwise it was a simple install.
So there ya go Y-Block owners. A quick easy fix for that old leaky radiator, without paying collector prices!
Great find. 