Radiator?

[spdy0001]

Well I finally found where my antifreeze has been going right out the side of the radiator. So im looking to order one online, but I am confused about which one to purchase. I have a 91 sport with AC and its a manual. Most places offer a single row and a double row and mark the double row for the automatic. My question is should I look for a better radiator since I plan to only do minor suspension upgrades? Is the stock single row sufficient? I found one at outlawradiator.com for $98 shipped, but im unsure if I should buy it yet.

 

[jimbo74]

dont get that one... there are a ton out there that are way better than stock.....

 

[Glacier991]

In a perfect world you'd at least like to get away from the plastic tank with seal design. Try and get an all metal one if you can find it. Money spend on a good radiator is never money thrown away. Buy capacity. Let your thermostat work.

 

[puddle jumper]

if your wanting to buy online then check out www.radiator.com , they have a pretty easy to use site with online help . i was going to purchase a radiator from them for my wife`s neon but before i got the chance to order,the timeing belt broke and now i need a new head for it (i replaced the belt and now it shakes bad when it runs,bent the valves ) and then i`ll buy the radiator,,,

 

[spdy0001]

Well I have called many places (online, and local) and everyone is telling me that they only offer single row radiators for M/T explorers. They say that the dual row only fits the A/T

 

[351wExplorer]

i got mine from a local radiator shop... fremont radiator. for about 125$ its a four core aluminum and keeps my 351 cold

 

[Tony H]

A 2 core all aluminum is much better then a 4 core copper. The cores are bigger so they wont clog as easy.

The 4 core has 4 cores deep so the core closest to the Fan doesn't cool well because the hot air from the other three cores are blowing hot air on them.

I hate the plastic tank idea BUT having said that. I got 230K miles on my X radiator and so far I have 255K miles on my original stock Volvo radiator. So if every 13 years or 200K miles I have to replace a radiator, so be it

 

[spdy0001]

Im with you on that. My 91 X has 73K miles on it and the radiator is just now failing, and thats probably do to the thing sitting for a long time. Even at this time the temp guage always registers between C and the half way mark. So as I see it the factory single core has done a good job for the last 14 years so, plus I can't find a bolt up radiator with more cores

 

[Rhett]

In a perfect world you'd at least like to get away from the plastic tank with seal design.

Yes, you would.

Try and get an all metal one if you can find it. Money spend on a good radiator is never money thrown away. Buy capacity. Let your thermostat work.

I had to research this about 2 years ago. All-metal DOES carry a premium:
For our 1st gen trucks: all-metal rad = $400+
OEM (Visteon) Super Cool (3 row) = $200
OEM (Visteon) (2 row) = $120 or so

I went with the 3 row, and that's the same rad Ford put on as a factory option called, "Super Cool" I believe. I know it's the plastic tank junk, but I did not want to spend $500 on a radiator. I can run across desert in 95 degF+ with A/C on and it cools like a champ. But I do know that in about 5 years the plastic tanks will start leaking...and no amount of crimping on the seams will help them for long once that starts...

 

[Rhett]

Im with you on that. My 91 X has 73K miles on it and the radiator is just now failing, and thats probably do to the thing sitting for a long time. Even at this time the temp guage always registers between C and the half way mark. So as I see it the factory single core has done a good job for the last 14 years so, plus I can't find a bolt up radiator with more cores

Go to www.fordpartsnetwork.com

I'd call their phone#, they CAN get you whatever part you need. If it were me I would look at an OEM 2 core for manual trans., which will keep you plenty cool unless you are doing some serious stuff. It will be a breeze to install it yourself, as you won't have to deal with the auto trans cooler fittings.

The only drawback to the OEM radiators is, as Glacier said, the fact that they have plastic tanks in them. Over time, heat/cold cycles and age warp the seals on the tanks and they start leaking. My original rad tanks lasted 7-8 years. That's not bad for a $120 rad. if you ask me.

Good radiator shops can custom make a radiator for you--but this will cost more than what you want to spend. It's very difficult finding a ready-made all-metal radiator for our 1st gen Explorers. I believe Griffin makes one, or they used to. But those cost $500. I don't know what you're looking to spend.

 

[spdy0001]

Since I can only find a dual core for the auto explorer does anyone know if that would work on my M/T.

 

[DROFYM]

Anyone know a good place for 2nd gen explorer's to get a radiator. mine cracked right aat the top left support. not a bad spt but unfixable. outlawradiators has the best price so far but i could realy use a deal right now, I am also replaceing all of my A/c and right front axle.

 

[Rhett]

Anyone know a good place for 2nd gen explorer's to get a radiator. mine cracked right aat the top left support. not a bad spt but unfixable. outlawradiators has the best price so far but i could realy use a deal right now, I am also replaceing all of my A/c and right front axle.

Look up in this thread a few posts, and you'll see: www.fordpartsnetwork.com

 

[DROFYM]

fordpartsnetwork wants 265 plus shipping. I was quoted 176 free shipping from radiator.com. I thinks thats pretty good. thanks for the help guys

 

[410Fortune]

You can run the automatic unit in a 5 speed FYI, I did and it came in really handy when I converted to an auto

2 core aluminum with plastic side tanks, aka the 4.0L HD radiator should run about $180.

 

[Rhett]

You can run the automatic unit in a 5 speed FYI, I did and it came in really handy when I converted to an auto

What did you use to plug up the trans cooler ports on the auto radiator?

 

[spdy0001]

I just went with the M/T unit for about $100 shipped from outlawradiator.com

I thought the A/T one would work, however I needed one ASAP and didn't want to worry about it not working. Dual core would have been nicer, but not really needed in my application

 

[edhand]

I recently bought a new radiator for my 92...got the 2 core aluminum w/plastic at Napa (in stock, even) for $175. Mine is an auto, but if you use it with a M/T, I would just leave the plastic plugs in place that come on it.

 

[jd4242]

old thread but isnt going to a two row point less if you are a manual?isnt one row used for engine cooling and the second row used for trans cooling?so technically you still have a one row engine cooling radiator?just holds a little more water because the tanks are slightly thicker?

 

[Anime]

As far as I've seen, both cores of the 2-core radiator are used for cooling the antifreeze/coolant, and there is smaller, seperate line for the auto trans fluid inlet/outlet, either along the bottom or around the outer perimeter, to provide just a bit of cooling.

For those needing a replacement radiator, I would suggest going with a Visteon/Vista-Pro unit, either from Advance Auto or Rockauto.com. Visteon makes the parts for Ford/Motorcraft, and at this point, that's all you're going to get from Ford, so you can pay ~$100 for one from a parts store, or $175-200 from a dealer.

I'm still on the original single-core factory unit, and though it's leaked a few times, it's holding up ok and has yet to be replaced. Not bad.