New radiator, very low quality compared to the one replaced.

[fabianoliver]

Hi again.
Today i replaced the radiator of my 1994 XLT Manual transmission.

When I removed the broken radiator I saw a massive difference with the new one.
It was thick aluminum, and twice as wide. Clearly much heavier.
The new one cost me $97, it's a UAC RA897C ( rockauto ) , with the plastic sides.
It is already installed and works well, but being thinner, the radiator cap doesn't allows to sit the rod that runs the width of the truck (the one used to lower the spare wheel).
Maybe the solution is to put a rubber insert on the top (on the screws) so the rod passes without contact.
What do you think?
Has anyone faced that problem?
Thanks for your comments
some pics:

 

[Josh P]

You lost a lot of cooling capacity.

 

[LuckyRabbit]

That’s a whole lot of NOPE right there

Id return and get OEM or BETTER

 

[fabianoliver]

You lost a lot of cooling capacity.

yes.
Return is more expensive than buy a new one, i'm in Uruguay, and i've brough this one from Miami ( 150$ shipment)
This is strange, why the hell the radiator is so thin.
In the rockauto search, the more expensive radiator listed for manual transmission is this one ("Eddie Bauer; Sport; XL Model; XLT Model; 5 speed Manual trans, the aluminium ones, are listed only for automatic transmission, not manuals.

Let's see how it goes, now we are in spring.
I don't have AC ( the previous owner took off the compressor), so i'll test it next days, and i'll send the broken one to repair asap to swap.

I've used 6,5 liters to fill it , and should be 9.......bad thing

 

[BKennedy]

Looks like the radiator that was replaced was a all aluminum aftermarket or made for your Explorer. Could you get the old radiator repaired locally? I know you have difficulty sourcing parts. The one you bought is a single row. Might not work very well in your climate.

 

[fabianoliver]

Looks like the radiator that was replaced was a all aluminum aftermarket or made for your Explorer. Could you get the old radiator repaired locally? I know you have difficulty sourcing parts. The one you bought is a single row. Might not work very well in your climate.

Hi, yes we have some good pros that can repair them, it's expensive, but i guess it should be the better way to go.
I've repaired a copper 1974 renault 4, and it ends beautifully done.
Tomorrow i'll bring this one to them to quote.
Argentina is a better place for parts, but is easier for me to ship from Miami
What a peety, it was a nice wrench day anyway....

 

[Josh P]

yes.
Return is more expensive than buy a new one, i'm in Uruguay, and i've brough this one from Miami ( 150$ shipment)
This is strange, why the hell the radiator is so thin.
In the rockauto search, the more expensive radiator listed for manual transmission is this one ("Eddie Bauer; Sport; XL Model; XLT Model; 5 speed Manual trans, the aluminium ones, are listed only for automatic transmission, not manuals.

Let's see how it goes, now we are in spring.
I don't have AC ( the previous owner took off the compressor), so i'll test it next days, and i'll send the broken one to repair asap to swap.

I've used 6,5 liters to fill it , and should be 9.......bad thing

No reason you can't use an automatic radiator with a manual, cap off the transmission cooler ports.

 

[Motorhogman]

You either ordered the wrong radiator or they sent you the wrong radiator. Did you order by core specs ?. I don't know how hot you summers get there but if they are hot you are likely to run into problems.

 

[fabianoliver]

You either ordered the wrong radiator or they sent you the wrong radiator. Did you order by core specs ?. I don't know how hot you summers get there but if they are hot you are likely to run into problems.

Hi Motorhogman, i've bought lor parts from Rockauto before, so i choose the best radiator for manual transmission, i don't knew 1, 2 or 3 rows as now, so if the radiator is advertised for manual transmission and compatible with : "Eddie Bauer; Sport; XL Model; XLT Model; 5 speed Manual trans." i though it was a good buy, never imagine to have problems with that.

Here the list when yu search "ford explorer 1994 radiator":

1994 FORD EXPLORER 4.0L V6 Radiator | Shop Now at RockAuto

Cooling System Parts and More for Your 1994 FORD EXPLORER at Reliably Low Prices. Fast Online Catalog. DIY-Easy. Your Choice of Quality. Full Manufacturer Warranty.

www.rockauto.com

Today all runs ok. Needle stays at the beggining of the scale, never touching the "N"...
Anyway, i'll send the broken radiator to repair, just in case. Summer here doesn't goes more than 100F.
In december, so full summer, i'm planning to go to chile, and to traverse the Andes, it goes up to 3800 mts, today i've changed oil and oil filter, i don't want to cross the andes insecure, that, for sure.

 

[Josh P]

You either ordered the wrong radiator or they sent you the wrong radiator. Did you order by core specs ?. I don't know how hot you summers get there but if they are hot you are likely to run into problems.

I think the automatic with AC is the thicker radiator.