Largest capacity bolt-in radiator for 1970 F100?

[ericknight]

Truck is 2WD 360 3-speed. Top radiator tank has 2 pinholes, I think it's the original radiator, and has been rodded out at least once before, so i'm looking to buy a new replacement. What is the largest capacity radiator that will bolt in? Will a 460 radiator from a dentside fit? Part number would be helpful, if anyone has done this before.

[fordman]

what you want is the 3 row tube radiator for an fe. a 460 radiator will be different in several ways. a 3 tube is the largest 2wd radiator that will bolt right into your truck without mods. a 4 tube radiator has the wrong mounting on it but is sligthly thicker and has 4 rows of tubes. but it wont mount up to your core support with out a radiator shop changing the mounting brackets.

[robroy]

Hi ErickNight!

Truck is 2WD 360 3-speed. Top radiator tank has 2 pinholes, I think it's the original radiator, and has been rodded out at least once before, so i'm looking to buy a new replacement. What is the largest capacity radiator that will bolt in?

Bumpside, FE trucks came with two different radiator support body panels: one for a regular radiator and one for a large radiator. The 2WD trucks equipped with the support for the larger radiator were sold with the "Super Cooling" option. Your truck is probably set up to take the regular radiator size, but you'll want to measure your old radiator to be sure before looking for your replacement.

The regular radiator size has a core that's around 19-20 inches high. The "Super Cooling" radiators have cores that are around 26-27 inches high. As you know, the measurement's taken between the tanks (just the center part).

If your old radiator has a core that's around 19-20 inches high, the largest bolt-in radiator, as far as I know, is the Modine/Proliance 1R2302. It's a 3 row radiator that's constructed using a method improved over the factory radiators, so it's supposed to outperform 4 row radiators. Proliance seems to be making these in Mexico right now (mine was from Mexico).

Will a 460 radiator from a dentside fit?

This I don't know--hopefully somebody else will speak up.

Part number would be helpful, if anyone has done this before.

The radiator I chose for my truck was the Proliance 1R2302. Here's the thread that covers, in detail, my investigation that led up to buying this radiator.

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... =3&t=44153

I haven't actually installed this radiator yet, so I can't comment on how it fits or functions yet! If you'd like, I can keep you updated when I get it installed, but you'll probably be all fixed up by then.

ErickNight, good luck with your search for the ideal radiator!
Robroy

[fordman]

let me restart here. lets use this link. i am not recommending them. but they have good information on thier pages about this. http://www.lmctruck.com in the 67-72 catalog on page 89 of the paper catalog. it shows part number 43-3010 for a 2wd F100 with a 360/390 engine. now in the 73-79 catlog at the same site on page number 51 of the paper catalog. they do show the same part numebr 43.3010 for a 78-79 460 engine in those trucks. on the same page they show 73-77 with a 460 as part number 43-3012.

43-3010 19 1/4 h x 26 3/8 w x1 7/8 thick
43-3012 24 14 h x 26 3/8 w x 1 7/8 thick

both of these radiators are 3 row radiators. so you will wnat to watch for that when ordering a radiator. the height of the radiator would possibly be ok in your truck. but it may hit the frame or something. i have heard of that. but i havent checked it out. other than hte extra height you just want to stay away 4wd radiatorsor heavy duty. or something made to fit a f350 super cool core support. those are 4 row radiators and the brackets wont fit your truck. i do think they are starting to make all aluminum radiators for our trucks. but they cost a bit more than the copper brass radiators we had stock.
here si a link to where my dad gets most of his raditors for his shop from http://www.northernfactory.com