Will a 460 radiator work in a 7.3 idi

S-west

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I bought a 1988 f 350 that had a rotted cab and bed so I decided to put my 1969 ford body on it. The radiator that came in the truck leaks and I was thinking about putting the 460 radiator from the f100 since i already have to use the radiator support from that truck.
 

The Warden

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I'm not sure if anyone's actually tried, but keep this in mind...many members have had issues with the factory diesel radiator not keeping the engine cool enough, to the point where an upgrade to a Rodney Red aluminium radiator is not an uncommon upgrade. Couple that with the fact that the 460 radiator's smaller than the factory IDI radiator, and I have a feeling that you're going to have some significant cooling problems.

There are a few people on here who've swapped an IDI into a '66-'79 chassis who may be able to offer more insight on what you can do in this situation...but, if I were in your shoes, I would be looking for an alternative to the 460 radiator.

Hope this helps some...good luck and be sure to post pics of the body swap :D
 

bike-maker

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Here's a pic of a 460 radiator sitting in front of the tall/skinny version IDI radiator.......It's a big difference in size.
 

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89dieselbko

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i just put a 4 core aluminum radiator in my 89 bronco *7.3idi swapped in* and have put about 60 miles on it fine tuning my swap and getting everything working. That said i have yet to get the temp up to kick on my fan. all light miles, as i said playing with things to get everything working. sits right around 170-180, think the fan kicks at 190?

Being that its a stock 460 rad, you might have cooling issues, but from what i can tell a 4 core aluminum (351W spec rad) is doing the job. Maybe try your local parts store and get a nice aluminum one and you should be good.
 

Darrin Tosh

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WOW that Radiator is HUGE!


Oh, never mind it is just the pic that is huge,..

Get a Diesel Radiator, or an aftermarket one. These IDI's have enough cooling issues, no reason to make more of a reason to have them with a Gasser Radiator.
 

7river

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I have a professionally cleaned IDI rad in great shape that came with my 94 E350 that I would sell you cheap. The bus company I bought the bus from swapped them every year and had them cleaned, so they had spares. Let me know if that would help, but based on the pic Bike maker posted, might be a bit of a squeeze...
 

6.9poweredscout

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I have a aluminum one in my scout thats only about 22x19 and it never goes above 210 idling through the woods on a hot day. I don't tow with it so I can't say how it'd perform there.
 

S-west

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Ya I think I'm just gonna try and solder the radiator for the diesel up and see if I can get it to fit
 

FORDF250HDXLT

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probably depends on your location,and how you use the truck.
if you can keep her below 240 degree's your golden.

oh your in CT.not a whole lot diff than Maine.
i sure have no issues keeping an idi cool.i run the 3 core copper/brass replacement.
i'll be rigging up a partial grill block sometime.all but july/aug seems to need a full open grill.
my e-fans are still not coming on this year yet.but of course it's not even 60 degree avg out yet lol.
i just gross 12-14k (ish) mainly.so nothing too serious compared to some.
 

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SHARPIE

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A 460 radiator will work fine

""bike-maker

Here's a pic of a 460 radiator sitting in front of the tall/skinny version IDI radiator.......It's a big difference in size.
"" I wont quote it because that pic is HUGE! LOL!

Sorry thats not a 460 radiator...This is a 460 radiator
You must be registered for see images attach


Yes its the same size as a diesel radiator and its 4 cores

This is a 302-351-400 radiator
You must be registered for see images attach


Big difference...
 

SHARPIE

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I bought a 1988 f 350 that had a rotted cab and bed so I decided to put my 1969 ford body on it. The radiator that came in the truck leaks and I was thinking about putting the 460 radiator from the f100 since i already have to use the radiator support from that truck.

Do you already have this started? You do know all the cab mounts and support mounts are different, And the engine sits further back then the dent side.
 

S-west

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Ya I have already started and i am expecting to make new cab mounts and stuff
 

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