Radiator replacement

[mgmgmg]

What is stock radiator ?? 1 row or 2 row? Can the 84.99 work? i


Link

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/s...year=1994&make=Ford&model=Explorer&vi=5005327

 

[Maniak]

What is stock radiator ?? 1 row or 2 row? Can the 84.99 work? i


Link

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/s...year=1994&make=Ford&model=Explorer&vi=5005327

The $85 one is a single core. You will only find those from the factory on vehicles with a manual transmission and normally without A/C.

You really want a two core radiator BUT you do want to check what you have now. If you have a single core your shroud "might" be bigger than the one for the dual core..

Even if you have a single core, I would upgrade to a dual core even if I had to change the shroud. It is 50% more cooling capacity and overheating is what kills the heads on the 1st gen.

~Mark

 

[arco777]

I'd recommend the dual core if possible. I ordered mine from RockAuto, think it was a Spectra Premium model and it worked great and wasn't expensive.

 

[Jason94sport]

Can you get a dual core for a manual? I only saw them for auto's.

 

[Maniak]

Can you get a dual core for a manual? I only saw them for auto's.

Its the same dimensions EXCEPT, it is thicker. It also has connections for the transmission fluid but you would just ignore those.

The only issue is going to be the shroud. Since the core is thicker a shroud used for a 1 core might be too deep with the 2 core. That's an easy junk yard part though.

Here is a really old thread (last century) from [MENTION=71]Rick[/MENTION] about it.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14299

~Mark

EDIT: Lower radiator hose has to change too (that is from the linked thread).

 

[429CJ-3X2]

The dual core is a direct bolt in. Did it on my '94. There's no difference in shrouds. The ends (tanks) of the radiators are the same. The single core is thinner than the ends of the radiator while the 2 core is nearly the same thickness as the ends. In other words, the only difference between the single core and the dual core is the thickness of the radiator between the end tanks.

I would almost bet all aftermarket radiators have the fittings for auto trans. If you have a manual trans, just leave the plugs in the new radiator in place.

 

[Jason94sport]

I would almost bet all aftermarket radiators have the fittings for auto trans.

Nope...My spectra is for a manual..

 

[429CJ-3X2]

I stand corrected.

The O'Reilly listings are interesting. I'm sure I bought mine new from O'Reilly's, and I think it has metal tanks, not plastic, but it was a few years ago. Not sure of the brand. Too cold to run out and look this morning!

In the thread Maniak links to, which is from 1999, someone said the shroud had to be altered, and the lower hose had to be for an Ex with auto trans. OP in that link had a manual. O'Reilly's shows the radiator lower outlet the same size for both auto and manual. That could be a cost cutting move - they only have to build and carry 1 size tank/outlet - if everything else is the same. Lower hoses are often somewhat generic and need to be trimmed to fit.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

If you click on the $84 one in the O'Reilly's link, you get the dimensions, and it is a 2 core, just like the $140 one. The 1st 2 radiators listed say they are 1 core and the core is 1" deep, where the other 2 have a 1 3/4" core. The $140 radiator says it's 2 core and the $84 one doesn't say either way, but if the core is 1 3/4", it's a 2 core.

 

[Jason94sport]

Yeah, the 2 core is thicker according to specs. I may replace my single in the near future. And as suggested ignore the trans cooler & buy the auto lower hose & shroud.

 

[429CJ-3X2]

I don't think you really need to change the shroud. You might need to trim it around the lower outlet, but I don't know why moving the shroud 3/4" closer to the engine would cause clearance problems.