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radiator question

  • Thread starter Thread starter bronco4x4
  • Start date Start date May 25, 2007
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bronco4x4

New Member
Sep 28, 2005
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fall river, ma
May 25, 2007
#1
  • May 25, 2007
  • #1
i was wondering if anyone knows how many rows a stock 4 cylinder radiator is? 1 or 2 ? i just finished converting a notch 4cyl to 5.0 and all i had was the 4 cylinder radiator, and my engine runs pretty hot. not overheating, but hot. i think the v8 radiator is factory 2 or 3 row?
 
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RustBucket

New Member
Jun 8, 2003
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Buford, GA
May 26, 2007
#2
  • May 26, 2007
  • #2
I think they used the same radiator in both the 4 and 8cyl cars. It's a 2 row. It may be the condition of the radiator rather than the size that's giving you problems.
 
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bronco4x4

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Sep 28, 2005
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fall river, ma
May 26, 2007
#3
  • May 26, 2007
  • #3
I had to squish in my radiator mounts to make them hug the radiator right. Its somehow alot thinner than a v8 radiator.
 
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ethangsmith

Member
Jan 28, 2007
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Manheim, PA
May 26, 2007
#4
  • May 26, 2007
  • #4
Comparing OEM radiators, it would be a 2 row in either the 4 cylinder or the 5.0L. If the engine is running hot, the radiator may have sediment in it or not be an origonal and not enough for the cooling demands of the 302. I would look in to a Ford Racing aluminum radiator or go to a local parts store and get a good 2 or 3 row radiator. With metal prices rocketing skyward these days, the aluminum radiator would probably be the most economical choice. Oh, and sort of off-topic, but do you still have the 2.3L drivetrain and all? Is it a manual transmission drivetrain? I'm in the market for a manual transmission (plus clutch, linkage, pedals, and whatever else goes with it).
 
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bronco4x4

New Member
Sep 28, 2005
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0
fall river, ma
May 26, 2007
#5
  • May 26, 2007
  • #5
ethangsmith said:
Comparing OEM radiators, it would be a 2 row in either the 4 cylinder or the 5.0L. If the engine is running hot, the radiator may have sediment in it or not be an origonal and not enough for the cooling demands of the 302. I would look in to a Ford Racing aluminum radiator or go to a local parts store and get a good 2 or 3 row radiator. With metal prices rocketing skyward these days, the aluminum radiator would probably be the most economical choice. Oh, and sort of off-topic, but do you still have the 2.3L drivetrain and all? Is it a manual transmission drivetrain? I'm in the market for a manual transmission (plus clutch, linkage, pedals, and whatever else goes with it).
Click to expand...

No, i bought my notch as a shell with no engine or transmission. The previous owner was already using the car with a 302 and t5, and made all the other changes, like rear end for example. I just had the car towed to my house, and installed my engine and tranny. I'm gonna look into getting a 3 core radiator from autozone for $159. Can't beat that. The radiator i got is extremely corroded inside. I'm sure a mix of that, and being a 4 cylinder radiator, is the problem.
 
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RustBucket

New Member
Jun 8, 2003
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Buford, GA
May 26, 2007
#6
  • May 26, 2007
  • #6
Is the rubber missing out of the upper mounts? Part number for part number they're the same.

No telling what's happened with that car since the day it was first gutted.
 
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bronco4x4

New Member
Sep 28, 2005
43
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fall river, ma
May 27, 2007
#7
  • May 27, 2007
  • #7
RustBucket said:
Is the rubber missing out of the upper mounts? Part number for part number they're the same.

No telling what's happened with that car since the day it was first gutted.
Click to expand...

Nope the mounts are in good shape. I actually had to go to the junk yard to get it, since the car didn't have em.
 
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ethangsmith

Member
Jan 28, 2007
227
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Manheim, PA
May 27, 2007
#8
  • May 27, 2007
  • #8
I checked my a Mitchell collision parts manual and they confirm that the 4 cylinder and v8 radiators are the same. If it is severly corroded, that would be your problem. You'd be much happier with the 3 row radiator. It will allow you to modify your engine and run it harder without the threat of overheating. It will also lessen drag on the water pump as it will be able to circulate the water much easier, especially at higher rpm.
 
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bronco4x4

New Member
Sep 28, 2005
43
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0
fall river, ma
May 27, 2007
#9
  • May 27, 2007
  • #9
ethangsmith said:
I checked my a Mitchell collision parts manual and they confirm that the 4 cylinder and v8 radiators are the same. If it is severly corroded, that would be your problem. You'd be much happier with the 3 row radiator. It will allow you to modify your engine and run it harder without the threat of overheating. It will also lessen drag on the water pump as it will be able to circulate the water much easier, especially at higher rpm.
Click to expand...

They aren't exactly the same. The 4 cylinder radiator has a much smaller upper outlet. I couldn't use the factory upper radiator hose. I had to fabricate an adapter. But either way the rad i got is no good. I got a 160* thermostat, flex a lite fan (no clutch) and new coolant and no matter what i do to make the engine run cool, it still creeps to 210* which is just not right.
 
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ethangsmith

Member
Jan 28, 2007
227
0
16
Manheim, PA
May 27, 2007
#10
  • May 27, 2007
  • #10
Yea, that's too warm. Definitely time for a new radiator! Especially if you plan on doing mods on the engine.
 
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bronco4x4

New Member
Sep 28, 2005
43
0
0
fall river, ma
May 27, 2007
#11
  • May 27, 2007
  • #11
ethangsmith said:
Yea, that's too warm. Definitely time for a new radiator! Especially if you plan on doing mods on the engine.
Click to expand...

Engine already has mods.lol...planning on getting aluminum heads next

edelbrock performer rpm cam
edelbrock performer rpm intake manifold
edelbrock 1407 750cfm carb 4bbl
edelbrock sure seat valve springs
stock e7 heads cleaned and machined .20
freshly installed melling pushrods, lifters and rockers
 
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bronco4x4

New Member
Sep 28, 2005
43
0
0
fall river, ma
May 27, 2007
#12
  • May 27, 2007
  • #12
ethangsmith said:
Yea, that's too warm. Definitely time for a new radiator! Especially if you plan on doing mods on the engine.
Click to expand...

I've been working on the stang non stop doing more and more. I just upgraded from a 1G to a 3G. man what a difference!!!
 
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