Ford Radiator

An essential part of your vehicle's cooling system, your Ford radiator is one of the parts that helps to ensure that the intense heat created by your combustion system does not melt away the seals, gaskets and hoses in your engine and prevents that heat from warping your metal parts and surfaces beyond usefulness. While your Ford radiator is designed to last for a good long time, it is vulnerable to the effects of time, as well as to the elements and the assorted types of road debris that bounce up from underneath the vehicle. In order to perform is essential cooling function, your Ford radiator has many small metal fins to increase the surface area for efficient cooling and thin metal tubing running through it to transport the coolant. These thin metal parts are vulnerable to rust in ways that your heavier metal parts are not, and over time your Ford radiator can develop leaks. While at first you may be able to keep up with the coolant loss by refilling the fluid, over time the leaks will become just too large, fast, or many to effectively manage in that manner and replacing your old Ford radiator will become the only practical solution. When that time arrives, you'll find a fine quality and affordably priced Ford radiator replacement in our easy to navigate online catalog. You can quickly get your new Ford radiator on its way by placing your order using our secure online ordering system or by dialing our toll-free telephone number, and we'll even send it to you via free ground shipping, if you like, as we do with all orders of $50 or more.

Your Ford radiator is like an air-conditioning unit for your truck's engine-it stops the car engine from overheating. While the engine is working, it releases a great deal of heat and friction. The radiator, then, uses coolant to maintain the engine in a cool, healthy temperature. This job involves working in small clearances and removal of some parts, and it may take about an hour or two to finish. Below is a guide to help you replace it without burning a hole in your wallet.

Required skill level: Intermediate

Tools and materials needed:

• Radiator
• Coolant
• Distilled water
• Socket wrench and sockets
• Drain pan
• Large open-ended or adjustable wrench
• Pliers
• Rag

Initial preparations

Loosen the valve in the Ford radiator and allow all the coolant to flow out before detaching the clamps and hoses. While waiting for the coolant to drain all out, inspect the radiator hoses and clamps for any cracks or if either of them is worn out. Replace when necessary. As soon as the coolant has drained, get under the truck to detach the lower radiator hose clamp and disconnect the hose. In the same way, remove the upper radiator hose that is found under the hood.

Removing other components

Loosen the upper radiator shroud without removing it. Then, take out the fan at the water pump by loosening its shank from the water pump pulley by turning it counter-clockwise with your adjustable wrench. If the pulley moves when you try to knock it loose, get a large screwdriver to jam against the pulley bolts to keep it from shifting. When loose, take out the fan and shroud together.

Taking out the old radiator

Hold the two radiator hold-downs and detach them from the radiator support. Carefully lift up the Ford radiator. For an automatic truck, use a line wrench to get the transmission lines off the radiator. You may have to replenish some transmission fluid after the installation unless you have an aftermarket transmission cooler and have gone around the radiator. If this is the case, you don't have to get the fluid.

Putting in the new radiator

Before mounting the new radiator, check that the rubber isolators are on their brackets. If not, they have been possibly pulled out together with the old radiator; just place them back. Then, carefully place in the new radiator into its position. Make sure the lower supports hold up securely. After that, add your 50/50 blend of distilled water and coolant to your Ford truck. Start the vehicle and let it warm up while observing the coolant level. As soon as the level becomes stable, take a drive and regularly observe the coolant level-add as needed.

Tips and warnings

• Make sure to wait until the car system is completely cooled down before taking off the radiator cap.
• Coolants are considered hazardous and must be disposed properly. Use a clean drain pan when draining the radiator so you can send the coolant to dealers who have coolant-recycling machines. Do not use drain pans that are used for oil or transmission fluids as even a small drop of these will contaminate the used coolant.