2row vs 4 row radiator

[wpurple]

Well, the water pump that I just replaced died and took out the radiator.

So I went to Ford for both the water pump and the radiator, since it is so much of a PITA to replace and the after market pump died in 2 weeks, I figured that the Motocrap might be a little better (ya ya I know it is made someone else)
Well anyways, the original radiator is has a core that is 2 3/8" thick, and the Motocrap replacement is only 1 1/16" thick, but there is a footnote that due to the redesign, the 2 core will work for a 4 core. hummm
So I called a few radiator shops and they all only have the 4 core radiator at 2 3/8" thick.

I went with the aftermarket just because I know what I took out works very well, and since I tow and I have a blower, I didn't want to chance it.

Note that the motocraft did have a denser fin pattern...it seemed like it may have been 18 fpi as opposed to 14fpi of the stock one appears to have.

Comments and thoughts?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Even if it has more fins, it still has 2 extra sections. Which brand is your radiator? Did you buy the water pump from the dealer too? I know that you mentioned that you went to the dealer for both the radiator, and water pump. I have a product review which you might want to take a look at: http://www.explorerforum.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/252/cat/500

 

[wpurple]

I bought the water pump at the dealer, radiator at a radiator shop

 

[samickguy15]

If the replacement had/has a warranty on it, I would think you could get a replacement for free. You could also try to get them to pay for the radiator since their failure resulted in the radiator being destroyed. If the Motorcraft one craps out, I think you have other issues. I just hope you don't trash the new radiator.

 

[rwenzing]

The new Motorcraft 2-row is the only factory replacement for the old 4-row. It is a newer design as used on later Explorers, Rangers, etc. According to Ford, it has improved cross tubes and much higher fin density, both of which increase its efficiency

When I needed a new radiator for my V8 conversion, I went shopping for a 4-row like the 5.0 Ex had as original equipment. After a lot of looking, I chose to use the 2-row Motorcraft replacement because every single other replacement radiator I could find locally (4-row or 2-row) came from China. I don't know about anyone else but I'm really tired of Chinese stuff replacing vitually everything made in North America. The Motorcraft only cost me about 10% more and I'm happy with how it is performing.

 

[samickguy15]

Well since price was comparable, I probably would have went MC too. One of our suppliers here at work contracts stuff here in the US and has his business partner in China do the machining. We get some rather quality parts for dirt cheap. I know it reduces the US labor force, but it also keeps more cash in the consumers pocket. It's a catch 22 I guess. More jobs here = more spending, less jobs here = more money to save

 

[wpurple]

Well the 4 core I bought from the radiator shop was made in CHINA, and I thought it had a leak until I discoverd that where the overflow hose attatched to the radiator neck...evidently it was a poor mold and left a line on the top and bottom (where the 2 halves of the mold would have been) and didn't seal to the hose well, so instaead of filling the overflow bottle, it leaked down into the core.
I used an knife to cut the excess plasitic, then fine sandpaper to smooth it out and it seems to be fine.

Ford Radiator $320
China radiator $155

...so it's full of lead

Didn't notice till today that my F250 has that same kind of very dense, thin core radiator.