Best radiator for 5.0 (347)?

[bronchole]

I am in the process of having a 347 built for my 1997 Mountaineer. I figure while I am in there, I would replace the radiator with the best possible option I can find. I have seen the all-aluminum radiators on Ebay and I am wondering if that is as good as it gets.



What’s everyone say?



Thanks,



Dan

 

[CDW6212R]

I think the AL versions are good choices, if the fit and quality is high. I will get one at some point also, I haven't needed one yet and I don't know what brands are good to select. The stock size(area) is so large that cooling should be no trouble, if the fan is decent, stock or near that level of airflow. So one or two core will work okay, keep the OEM air deflectors in place and obstructions out of the front area, and the engine will stay cool.

 

[Turdle]

1998 Turdle ( in my signature) had no issues with stock style radiator even in the mountains. Transmission cooling--that's a whole other matter.

 

[bronchole]

"keep the OEM air deflectors in place and obstructions out of the front area"

Ya, that is difficult to do with a 10000 pound winch in there

I'll see what I can do to get the air flow pointing back in to the radiator though. Probably can do a bit to keep warm air from recirculating back to in front of the radiator also.

So I have noticed while towing a 4500 pound enclosed 8.5'Wx7'x16' long trailer with my 200K mile 5.0 that I can get agressive and start building heat on long uphills. I am looking for that little bit of extra edge for the cooling. Of course with the nearly double the power I am expecting with the 347 I suppose I will need a little bit more than just an edge over stock.

Trans cooling is next on the ajenda. I'm thinking of a large remote cooler with its own thermostatically driven fan on it. On the current/stock set up I can tell when I am pushing the tow hard up a hill that the transmission is heating faster/harder than the motor and is leading the coolant temp so I know I need to do more to cool the transmission.

So nobody has any "use that radiator" experience here...... I guess I'll be the guina pig then. Oh the joys of exploring the unknown.

 

[CDW6212R]

Many others have put in AL radiators. The positive of the stronger construction is there, which is why I will buy one. But the trans fittings are unknown, some brands may use the wrong connection type etc. If you buy one that fits, and the trans lines bolt on, it should be great.

Keep the under radiator air deflector in place, most people remove and toss that, or cut it up carefully to fit the skid plate etc. Air needs to be forced to go through the radiator, and not allowed to go around it.

Buy a very large trans cooler, Super Duty Fords have many sizes of those. Find one that is4-5 times the size of the small stock one. Consider bypassing the radiator with the ATF, and using a 180* coolant thermostat at the most. I have a 180* in mine now that is working much colder than that, I think I'll be changing it again soon if my blend door is not the solution.