recomendations for a new radiator

[Marshall1]

My radiator is leaking pretty good, so now I get to shop for a new one. Any recomendations for a new one? I am lookig for a high quality one, preferably one without plastic tanks on it. I am eyeing A griffin but they are $$$$$$.

Any suggestions?

1990 7.3 with A/C and auto trans

 

[mattplumber]

Factory ones can be had from rockauto.com for super reasonable prices. I don't think any rads for our trucks are plastic tank equipped but i could be wrong. OE radiators are pretty stout and should last a long time compared to any benefits you would gain from using any aftermarket of custom rads.

 

[RyanDamo]

after reading the project 300 article in diesel power mag a few month back, i wouldnt go any other route other than oem copper style one

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/ford/1003dp_1987_ford_f250_buildup/index.html

 

[pybyr]

If you go to the Uhaultruckparts.com where we've all been binge-ing they seem to list radiators, and if you order it before midnight, hopefully you can get the 20% off. It's free shipping for orders over $25, so that all adds up to a pretty unbeatable deal. I expect Uhaul used decent quality radiators, as a truck at the roadside spewing steam and coolant is losing money and creating a PR black eye.

 

[icanfixall]

Check the fin count per inch on the radiator in your truck... Don't buy any radiator with a fin count of less than 12 or 13 fins per inch. If you can find a 16 fins per inch core buy it. The tube count is important to as is the row count. I tried a 3 row but it couldn't cool well enough... The 4 row was better but... I finally got a custom 5 row built that worked very good... Till I built up the engine a little more... Then I installed a custom Rodney Red aluminum radiator... That engine runs cool now... almost too cool....

 

[Marshall1]

Factory ones can be had from rockauto.com for super reasonable prices. I don't think any rads for our trucks are plastic tank equipped but i could be wrong. OE radiators are pretty stout and should last a long time compared to any benefits you would gain from using any aftermarket of custom rads.

I take it that the AC Delco one is the OEM?

Thanks

 

[OLDBULL8]

I take it that the AC Delco one is the OEM?

Thanks

The OEM radiators were made by Visteon, which was a subsidiary of Ford.
They are still available from Radiator.com Yours is 31" wide, but measure to be sure. That's where I got mine for my 90 a few years ago, there made in Mexico by Visteon, Price then was $280 shipped.

 

[RLDSL]

If you tow heavy , then you can't beat an all aluminum all welded rad from Rodney Red They aren't all that much more than what the dealer was wanting for a new one around here, but the extra cooling is insane, and the build quality is worlds above the stamped aluminum jobs you see on ebay or anything with a plastic tank. These suckers are heavy, the end tanks are made from aluminum plate, they are built to last.

 

[OLDBULL8]

Went on there web site, looks like $299, better to call them 800-395-3889.

 

[MR.T]

I put a spectra premium 1165 in mine. All welded aluminum, no plastic, high marks for quality (and I'm not easy to please ). Seen over $400 -- $278 at rockauto.com, and my local rad shop gave me a similar deal.

 

[Marshall1]

I ended up ordering a Vista Pro (Visteon) From summit for $320 shipped, Which was quite a bit cheaper than the same radiator from rockauto or 1-800 radiators. Thanks very much for the help.