Ford Racing Radiator Doesn't Fit

GrandmasterK · Aug 7, 2013

I bought a Ford Racing radiator a year or so ago and am finally getting around to installing it. I thought I bought one that said it should fit my 5.0 but maybe I was wrong or maybe out of the box it needs some modifications. See the attached picture. On the left side, I can line up and attach the brackets where the previous radiator was installed. On the right side though, they don't match (the green arrow and the yellow arrow need to line up).

Has anyone else ran into this and how did you resolve it? Did you drill new holes to mount the radiator? Is there some kind of adapter bracket I can buy? Did I screw up and buy something that isn't designed to fit my car (and if so, can I make it work anyways... it looks like the other pieces match up, though I'm not sure how well the fan cowl does just yet).

WLDHRSE · Aug 8, 2013

I'm not much help with this because I've never used that radiator, but will say that I have an Afco with similar issues except the top clamps wont work on either side. I'm going to make custom clamps that bolt into the factory holes and then shift to the outside as the tanks on the Afco are further out, wider than stock. In your case, if you can move the factory clamp out and it physically fits, then drilling a new hole to bolt it down is probably the best way to go.

Onefine88 · Aug 8, 2013

Years ago I bought a stainless steel radiator hold down/cover bracket for mine from UPR Products.Works and looks great!
Just looked it up for you. Part number#1056-01

Maybe it will cure your problem.

mikestang63 · Aug 8, 2013

Often with aftermarket radiators you either need to modify the original brackets to make them fit, or install an aftermarket radiator hold down.

larrym1961 · Aug 8, 2013

When I had that Ford Racing radiator on my Mustang, I had to modify the mounting bracket just a bit to get it to work. My modified brackets also work great on the Be Cool radiator I have now.

GrandmasterK · Aug 8, 2013

I wish I would have read these earlier but I went ahead and drilled a new hole (one side of the mount fit, the other side was too far right). Seems to work well now, I'll just have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get lose.

The cowl now doesn't mount up right. I think I can get some different bolts though and make it work. I think.

GrandmasterK · Aug 11, 2013

So running into an issue with the fan shroud. I had to alter the mounts horizontally some on the radiator to get the shroud to even fit. But once it does, the bottom of the shroud is too high by about a half inch to an inch and the fan hits it. There isn't any way I can mount it higher on the radiator or lower on the shroud because there isn't material on those pieces to do so. I need some kind of adapter to change this position or a different shroud or to possibly hack the bottom of the shroud apart.

Has anyone else ran into this issue and how did you resolve it?

Hawkeye_306 · Aug 11, 2013

I had to shift rad position 3/4", make new mounts, & rotate overflow tank down to get everything to fit with aftermarket 2" rad. As long as it all fits, that's all that matters for a radiator. Easier to make new brackets than to cut up or replace shroud if you don't have to.

GrandmasterK · Aug 13, 2013

Thanks for the help all. I managed to find some brackets at a local hardware store that were pretty much exactly the size I needed and then just used nuts & bolts to mount this instead of the screws it previously used.

Shakerhood · Aug 14, 2013

Ive had this same Radiator sitting in the house for at least 5 or 6 years, I stuck it in place today and the top brackets are lined ok. I did notice the radiator sits kinda high, looks like I will have to modify the lower mounts to get it to drop down.

madspeed · Aug 14, 2013

i just went with a polished solid upper mount

7991LXnSHO · Aug 15, 2013

The solis top mount looks neat and will help send the air the right way. But they look flimsy to me. Is this a valid concern now you have that polished one on? Also, is there any padding under it?

madspeed · Aug 15, 2013

flimsy, these are stanless steel, not aluminum foil! hard to tell from the pics, but it is bolted to the radiator support using the existing threaded points, and sheet metal screws from the inside holding it to the flange at the top of the radiator. Its solid. No rubber under it, i see no need for that, they were needed for the factory upper mounts that just kind of hold the radiator in place by force

jdrouill · Aug 15, 2013

I installed the Mishimoto radiator a few years back. I remember taking a dremel to the lower part of the fan shroud and taking off less than an inch of material only in the area where it went into the mounting clips on the bottom. It worked well for me and it is so far down it is out of eyesight if you are exposing your goods at a show.

7991LXnSHO · Aug 15, 2013

[quote "post: 8751375, member: 8969"]flimsy, these are stanless steel, not aluminum foil! hard to tell from the pics, but it is bolted to the radiator support using the existing threaded points, and sheet metal screws from the inside holding it to the flange at the top of the radiator. Its solid. No rubber under it, i see no need for that, they were needed for the factory upper mounts that just kind of hold the radiator in place by force[/quote]
Some are alluminum even if not foil.

Ford Racing Radiator Doesn't Fit

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Ford Racing Radiator Doesn't Fit

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