I'm really thinking about buying a Summit radiator to fix my overheating problems. How is the fit and quality of these? Anyone know the specific part number I need? I also REALLY need to know - is it a DIRECT drop in, or will I have to do any major work to get it to fit? What SPECIFICALLY is required to install one of them? The reason I ask is that I'm at college right now about 1500 miles from home, so I have no garage and limited tools. I'm worried about relocating the overflow bottle and things like that. Thanks if you can help.
Summit radiators?
- Thread starter 67stang390
- Start date
Jose (Str8stang036) has it. He is away at his G/F's till the weekend. Maybe you could drop him a PM.
I think he did ok with it..there were a couple of minor mods to it, but his is in and cooling just fine.
RC
I think he did ok with it..there were a couple of minor mods to it, but his is in and cooling just fine.
RC
Subscribing...very interested in this too.
I've heard one other guy...goes by "Anaconda" on the Corral who had good success using the 27" radiator but says can also use the 31". I checked the Summit website and they can be had for well under $200 which is way more attractive than the Fluidyne's which push $400.
Of course this is all contingent on whether they actually work well or not and if they fit with no problems.
I've heard one other guy...goes by "Anaconda" on the Corral who had good success using the 27" radiator but says can also use the 31". I checked the Summit website and they can be had for well under $200 which is way more attractive than the Fluidyne's which push $400.
Of course this is all contingent on whether they actually work well or not and if they fit with no problems.
Rel
Founding Member
Alright well... first off the fit is alright I suppose.. they are not direct replacements for the 94-95 mustang (or really any mustang). They are a standard "FORD" replacement aluminum radiator. The quality is pretty great IMO. I've had it for 8 or so months and I haven't had a single problem with it yet. My main complaint is that they do not have a drain plug so be prepared to either disconnect the lower radiator hose, or siphon the coolant out (this is what I do, much easier
) The main problem with it is that the original radiator mounts don't work for it. If you search hard enough you might be able to find a post by somebody who flipped one of the mounts around and was able to use it ... I'm not so sure.. all I can tell you is what I did.
Let's see... no real special tools were required. For installation I removed the battery and battery tray - disconnect the CCRM and put the aside, remove overflow bracket and tank, remove radiator. If you have A/C the line will be in the way... but you can work around it. Basically just drop the new guy in and begin mounting it. What did I do? I used heavy duty zip ties. Sounds ghetto but worked like a charm. Once you get the radiator in you need to get the fan on there somehow.. i used zip ties! go figure. I had to trim off a chunk of the plastic with a hacksaw to get it to fit.. I cut off some on the drivers side of the fan and moved it over towards the drivers side. This is so it would clear the overflow tank.
I couldn't keep the CCRM mounted to the overflow bracket so I just set it aside and ZIP TIED it to some harnesses.
I bent the overflow bracket slightly to push the tank against the radiator to act as another mount. umm that's basically it or that's all i can think of right now.
i did it one evening after work in my driveway.. shouldn't be hard at all.
oo another thing is they don't come with a nipple for the overflow tube to plug into the radiator so I had to buy nipple thingy that screws in ... check the pictures - i have a picture in there somewhere.
http://webpages.charter.net/forestrat/mustang/radiator/ <-- pictures
SUM-380425 Ford: 25 3/4 in. x 19 in. $169.95
SUM-380428 Ford: 27 3/8 in. x 19 in. $169.95
SUM-380431 Ford: 31 in. x 19 in. $179.95
I got the 31 in. x 19" one
Any questions?
) The main problem with it is that the original radiator mounts don't work for it. If you search hard enough you might be able to find a post by somebody who flipped one of the mounts around and was able to use it ... I'm not so sure.. all I can tell you is what I did.Let's see... no real special tools were required. For installation I removed the battery and battery tray - disconnect the CCRM and put the aside, remove overflow bracket and tank, remove radiator. If you have A/C the line will be in the way... but you can work around it. Basically just drop the new guy in and begin mounting it. What did I do? I used heavy duty zip ties. Sounds ghetto but worked like a charm. Once you get the radiator in you need to get the fan on there somehow.. i used zip ties! go figure. I had to trim off a chunk of the plastic with a hacksaw to get it to fit.. I cut off some on the drivers side of the fan and moved it over towards the drivers side. This is so it would clear the overflow tank.
I couldn't keep the CCRM mounted to the overflow bracket so I just set it aside and ZIP TIED it to some harnesses.
I bent the overflow bracket slightly to push the tank against the radiator to act as another mount. umm that's basically it or that's all i can think of right now.
i did it one evening after work in my driveway.. shouldn't be hard at all.
oo another thing is they don't come with a nipple for the overflow tube to plug into the radiator so I had to buy nipple thingy that screws in ... check the pictures - i have a picture in there somewhere.
http://webpages.charter.net/forestrat/mustang/radiator/ <-- pictures
SUM-380425 Ford: 25 3/4 in. x 19 in. $169.95
SUM-380428 Ford: 27 3/8 in. x 19 in. $169.95
SUM-380431 Ford: 31 in. x 19 in. $179.95
I got the 31 in. x 19" one
Any questions?
Rel
Founding Member
Oohh and they DEFINITELY cool better than the stocker.
Freeway driving in 90+ summer days w/180* thermostat I'm in the N-O of NORMAL
City driving I'm never above the R.
Prior to this install my car would ride the A.
Stock in-dash gauge though so take it for what it's worth
Freeway driving in 90+ summer days w/180* thermostat I'm in the N-O of NORMAL
City driving I'm never above the R.
Prior to this install my car would ride the A.
Stock in-dash gauge though so take it for what it's worth
Rel
Founding Member
check my post above yours
I don't want to take your thread OT but do tell me your story.
you've peaked my interest to say the least.
I don't want to take your thread OT but do tell me your story.
you've peaked my interest to say the least.
Haha well ok! I needed a new radiator for my 67, so I bought what I *thought* was a direct fit replacement(this was from a local Mustang shop who assured me it was a drop in). Well it didn't fit in the stock mounts, so I zip tied it to various places in the engine bay. I didn't realize that the radiator was too long and was rubbing against one of the wires connected to the fuse box. I didn't even notice it in my hurry to get the car running, but of course the radiator heated up and managed to melt through several of the main wires leading to the fuse box. When I took the car out for a test drive it was fine until I was about 2 streets away from my house. Hmmm what's this I smell? Burning rubber? About 3 seconds later, smoke was pouring out of the engine bay and into the car. I was stupid(16 years old at the time) and drove the car the rest of the way home with the windows down so I didn't choke on the smoke, which only increased the damage. When I got home my dad evaluated the damage. I fried main wires leading to the fuse box so that fried or shorted A LOT of other wires. I ended up having to buy a new main wiring harness which is pretty pricey for that year. That plus the install was really pricey. Since then I've had a horrible fear of zip tying anything and I hate even touching wires.
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