I spent way too much money on my 215/223 ******* child motor and I want to make sure I keep it cool. My old radiator looks to have had some issues in the past so I don't want to use it. I was hoping that someone had already found a relatively cost efficient replacement radiator for our cars.
Well....I figured out how to use the search function for the social group. I read through everything but it seems like everyone's running a sbc or sbf or flathead. Not too many (if anyone on here) has the amount of stupidity into their 6's. Anyway, I think I'm going to just measure up my radiator, figure out where I need the inlet/outlet and just buy one of the aluminum replacement ones from Summit. Has anyone had any experiences with the cheaper Summit replacement aluminum radiators?
I will tell you... I'd love to have a 223 again. I had one in a 52 Ford pickup many years ago and used lots of speed parts in it. I loved it! It makes a great unique engine compartment that many do not expect to see when you open the hood. You have many options for that radiator. I would look at a good radiator shop for a re-core with modern type core and fins before I would buy an aftermarket. I did all the "shopping" before having my radiator re-cored. Glad I re-cored it! Less money! Car runs cool with a good fan and fan shroud.
My buddy will recore it but it's going to cost me over $200 and it won't cool like an aluminum radiator. The aluminum radiators from Summit are something like $159.
Also check out : www.speedwaymotors.com they also have their own line of in house radiators at $139 and up they also offer a universal mount kit that is inexpensive and EZ to use.I know several guys that have used them and were happy with the results,need more info?call 1-800-979-0122
Good idea Jeff. I always forget about Speedway. Thanks for the info. I have to pick up my radiator from my buddy's garage and measure it up this weekend.
i have a 79 torino engine,trans,radiator in my 54 just used a piece of metal shaped u shaped up top,bottom slid right in
i run a champion rad in my 55 fairlane. it's a 3 row aluminum and it's cooling my 351w. $179 on ebay and it's a direct fit. it says it's for a 62 but the bolt holes line up.
I run an aluminum summit radiator, 19x22 i think it is. You can see some pics of mine installed in this thread http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=10148 I just removed the factory brackets and made my own brackets and foam pieces to mount it. Works great so far, but havent been in stop and go traffic yet. I think i paid $129 plus shipping about 6 months ago.
I've also got a summit rad now, and made a new horse-show for it and everything. It looks okay, I'd be happier with a stock one (but I never had one). It cools my 292 beyond well. I can sit in traffic, on a hot day, forever. The distance between the fan and the rad is kinda off, I need a spacer, but the rad is amazing.
I am using my stock flathead radiator with one top and one bottom hole filled. It runs soooooo cold that in the winter I have no heater because when the thermostat opens up all the heat goes away. I am running a built 390 in my 53
Ctfortner, I have a Al. radiator that I haven't had the time to mount yet. I need to fab up some mounts. I looked at the link you provided, but if you could post some pics of the actual mounting that would be very helpful. What foam did you use? Was it foam or neoprene?
I am using a 66-69 Mustang radiator and works great ! No overheating problems and they are small and fit just fine . Going to run the same in my 49 Ford coupe . Jim
[FONT="]Bought a new aluminum radiator from C, G&J Inc (Brice Thomas Radiator), [/FONT][FONT="]2776 Wills Creek Rd.[/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="]Gadsden[/FONT][FONT="] AL. 35904. Phone 256-546-4613. Eric Johns. Took my old radiator up there for pattern. Total radiator $320.00, shipping included. (Price of radiator was $275). They said they would keep the pattern for the radiator. This is for '55-'56 Ford car. [/FONT]
I'm bringing this issue up again in case others might've missed it. After running the car for nearly 2 years with the stock but recored radiator, we can't get the top tank to quite 'weeping'. It's just too old, thin and worn out to keep trying. And with the hot weather coming, I can't depend on it to not get worse. So at RetroJim's advice I ordered a replacement radiator for '67-69 Mustang 6 cylinder application. The same-year V8 application won't work with the stock Yblock, as the V8 'stang inlet/outlet is on same side, 6 cylinder Mustang is opposite in/out, just like the one in my '56. I don't know how the '52-'55 ins/outs are configured, maybe someone else does? I just got the new one today & from looks of it, it should be direct 'plug & play' replacement. I also have a 5 blade fan to replace the stock 4 blade, and may do some sort of shroud at the same time. Hoping to replace it within a few weeks; I will post progress pics. BTW, got the radiator from J.C. Whitney, it's a 3row core and price was approx $188 with free shipping. I'll post more details later.
I'm running a reproduction of the original radiator, but it is a four core made by U.S. Radiators. My engine is too large (351W) for the stock fan to be used with the larger radiator. I have a 16" electric pusher fan and I use water wetter. I know that you are not supposed to use a pusher fan as the main fan, but with only 1 1/4" space between the fan and radiator there was not much choice. I talked with several others that have the pusher fan as the only fan and they have not had problems with the 351W causing any heating problems.
Our Fords accept the 65-68 Mustang radiators as a bolt in here is the matching shroud http://www.ebay.com/itm/CPD-Fan-Shr...ang&vxp=mtr&hash=item43ae104ca5#ht_2806wt_948
Thanks Jeff, I just bought it. I was looking at Summit for one of those universals but really didn't care too much for them. This one appears to be more stock looking (which I prefer). I'll post pics of installation.
Ron,when you post the pics add that to the "sticky FAQ" file it will make it EZ to find for others down the road.
I bought an aluminum 4 core that was built to specs for the 54 customline.dropped right in and bolted up. Found it on ebay.
Just a heads up for you guys running Aluminium Radiators , Run lots of ground wires on engine and trans ( think late model Japanese cars - lots of lighter gauge grounds all over ) and run a good quality antifreeze/coolant to avoid problems with electrolysis (sp?) . I have seen several aluminium Radiators fail prematurely through this ( as in completely rotten at 2 years old!) .
I put the replacement radiator in the car today, it's a near drop-in fit ('66 Mustang 6 cylinder) Only problem is the lower hose. While the lower outlet is in same place as original, it is only 1 1/2" diameter - the original is 2". So I need to find a hose to fit. Or I might sleeve it but don't really want to do that unless as a last resort. I know I can find one eventually but just trying to save some legwork if someone else has already found a good one. Does anyone know off-hand, the number or source for a suitable replacement hose?
Whenever I need a hose I just go to the local parts house with the old hose and I usually find something that fits. That or I'm sure there's a piece of flex hose that's 1.5-2"
Been running my stock radiator in my 215 powered 53 for 38 years and I've never overheated yet! But if I needed a radiator I'd have it recored.
The top tank is bad on mine, it's only reason I'm changing the radiator - can't get it to stop seeping/weeping coolant. It's just old, and too thin to keep patching and I don't want to trust it going into warm weather. I tried one parts store today, they didn't have anything in stock that came close and I'm not a big fan of flex hoses but will go with one if no other options. Just thought I'd check here first & see if anyone has bought a preformed hose that works.
Are you sure it is 2" ? most Fords were 1 3/4" off the water pump and 1 1/2" to the radiator on lower hoses so these hoses are very common from 1970 and up.If that's the case try Autozone and ask for a DAYCO E70729 it is made extra long with both sizes of ends and made to cut off if needed and is a pre-curved hose.
I'm running a Walker radiator in the wagon,,made for a '54 and works great. I have been building hot rods for about 40 years so I've used a little bit of everything from record originals to junk yard to most aftermarket offerings. I've used aluminum radiators in the past,,the work good but I'm not crazy about their looks. The Walkers are a bit pricey,but having used them for many years I know the quality,,I have one in my '32 Flathead powered sedan that is almost16 years old and I've never had a problem. HRP
Jeff I double-checked the sizes, it is indeed 2" off the pump and 1 1/2" to the Mustang radiator lower port. Original hose Ford # B5AA-8286-A is 2" ID @ both ends. I will check AutoZone & some others to see if I can locate a 2"x1 1/2" elbow hose. Thx
Wow...I just realized this thread came back from the dead. I ended up getting a universal Bee Cool aluminum radiator and bent two L brackets out of aluminum and tig welded them to the side and drilled the 4 holes needed. Worked great. It doesn't look stock but after the money I spent on the motor and all the compression I was running and the fact that I drive a lot and in places like NYC traffic, I couldn't risk running a radiator that MIGHT cool it. If you're worried about it looking stock, just scuff and paint it. Anyway, short story long, the radiator cost me $159 (if I recall correctly) and I had some s**** aluminum laying around and it has worked fantastically. It has actually worked too well; on my trip out to Cleveland for our club's show in October I had to stop and make a cover for my radiator because my car never got above 130 degrees! Also, in August NYC traffic for 5 hours, I never saw the temp gauge get past 190. Oh yeah, I am running the Bee Cool rad, a stock fan and no shroud.
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