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Can You Make a 19x22" radiator fit in a Fox?

  • Thread starter Thread starter crunchie12268
  • Start date Start date Aug 18, 2005
C

crunchie12268

New Member
Aug 4, 2004
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Manhattan, KS
Aug 18, 2005
#1
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #1
I ordered a radiator of ebay from Midwest Racing. I accidently bought the one that measures 19x22" and I need the 31". I called them and they won't let me exchange, even though they cost the same price and it hasn't even been out of the box.

But now I have to make due with this... can anybody tell me if they can fit with some fabrication. And will this 2 core alumminum one cool ask good or better as my stock radiator now? The only reason I got it is because my car heats up a little, at a stop, with the underdrives.

Thanks

Jordan
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 18, 2005
#2
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #2
I have a 3-row 16 fin/inch copper-fin/brass-tube 24"X16" unit in mine that cools it just fine. Whether that 19X22 unit has the capacity or not is probably a function of how many rows of fin tubes it has, and how many fins/inch you've got.

The overheating probably has to do with the fan turning too slow to move enough air at low speed with the underdrives. Replacing your stock rad with one that's about the same capacity probably isn't gonna help you much with that.

And if they won't take a new unit back in exchange (you'll pay shipping, right?) I certainly wouldn't do any more business with them. Doesn't sound like much of an operation if we're getting the whole story.
 

janac19

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May 11, 2004
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Aug 18, 2005
#3
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #3
hey, this is crunchie12268... im on my g/f computer.

the radiator is a 16fin/in radiator, with two rows, but this thing is about twice as thick as the one I have. And, yes that is the whole story, I got it yesterday... opened the box and realized right then that it was too short. So, I called them today and they said "ebay stuff is just extra things we have lying around so we can't exchange it" but the thing is, I looked in their catalog and there is tons of radiators (including a Ford 31" one) and it is the same price. I don't get it... this can't just be "extra" because they have them in their catalogs. But it was a disappointment because they shipped really fast and I got it two days after they got my money order.

So, is it just a matter of making it fit with some creativity? Or should I sell it? If it cools better then I want to keep it and try to make it work. Do you think it will cool better mike?

Thanks

Jordan
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 18, 2005
#4
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #4
Well - let's face it - with money and a welder/torch you can make anything fit. How hard will it be? Can't tell you without seeing it and the car. My concern is the small size - I just can't believe it's gonna provide a whole bunch more cooling than the stock sized unit. Besides, as I mentioned before - I'm not sure the larger radiator is gonna solve your problem in any event - I don't think you're moving enough air across the rad.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 18, 2005
#5
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #5
The bigger issue may be that I don't think your stock shroud is gonna work with the smaller radiator -- and without the shroud, the stock fan is MUCH less effective.
 

vristang

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
4,933
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124
Seattle
Aug 18, 2005
#6
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #6
Michael Yount said:
Well - let's face it - with money and a welder/torch you can make anything fit. How hard will it be? Can't tell you without seeing it and the car. My concern is the small size - I just can't believe it's gonna provide a whole bunch more cooling than the stock sized unit. Besides, as I mentioned before - I'm not sure the larger radiator is gonna solve your problem in any event - I don't think you're moving enough air across the rad.
Click to expand...



In fact using a thicker radiator when the fan is not powerful enough can make things worse, in theory anyway.

I would pick up an electric fan (or 2) to mount in there as well. There are multiple ways to do this with yard parts, and I have heard it can be done with a reasonble budget. I am still working on my combo though.

Just my thoughts
 

QDRHRSE

New Member
Dec 31, 2002
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Palmdale, CA
Aug 18, 2005
#7
  • Aug 18, 2005
  • #7
If Monster garage can make a 5.0 into a lawn mower then I believe that you can make that radiator work. I also think it would be a whole lot easier getting the right radiator though....was it that expensive?
 
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