My stock and original radiator is showing its age and I'm looking to upgrade. I am also still running the stock/original fan and fan clutch. Last summer during the Power Tour the car was running quite warm (it got really hot when I turned on the A/C).
What aftermarket radiators (or OE) do you guys recommend? Would I be dumb to not go ahead and upgrade to an electric fan? Is an aluminum radiator really a big difference or is brass just as good?
Thoughts?
When my radiator went, i bought a generic aluminum one on ebay. It was a lot lighter, but a little less sturdy. All and all I'm pretty happy with it. I bought it mainly because it was cheap, but aluminum should have better heat transfer too. As far as the fan goes, I would just change the clutch. The stock fan is a well designed piece. I like how quiet it runs. I don't like how the electric ones click on and off and tend to be noisy.
I'm using this radiator, and it's been more than great since last summer (wicked heat here), and a Taurus fan. Stays cool all the time. Although with an automatic tranny, you'll need an aftermarket trans cooler, but that would be a good idea anyway.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/79-FORD-MUSTANG-LX-GT-GLX-SVT-COBRA-MT-MANUAL-THREE-ROW-CORE-ALUMINUM-RADIATOR-/150743958384?fits=Model:Mustang&hash=item23190a4370&item=150743958384&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Thats a beaut^^^
Thanks guys. I think going to electric fans would add some cooling potential and some eye appeal under the hood, but I am trying to keep costs down so I can do some other upgrades before power tour (alum driveshaft!!). With what I've read, upgrading to electric fans pretty much requires upgrading to 3g alternator. My current stock style alternator is just a few years old anyway, so I will probably just do the fan clutch as Bryan suggested.
Vinnie, if that aluminum radiator of yours can handle the sweltering heat you guys get in the summer, I am fairly confident it will be more than enough for Indiana weather. lol.
We got up to 118 this past summer, 125 or so with the "heat index". As I said, you'd need to run a tranny cooler though. I think I have a few. If so, you're welcome to have one for shipping.
I have a seperate cooler on mine too, but the thought crossed my mind that maybe its better to have it in the radiator if you live somewhere where it gets very cold so the engine can actually bring the tranny fluid up to temp quicker.
The tranny will probably bring the temp up on it's own pretty quick.
Remember I have a T-5 now so no cooler needed! ;) Hey I just discovered one more perk to having a stick shift.
My rad guy got me a brass 3 row drop in to replace my stock 2 row. Since it had a trans cooler built in and I have a 5sp, I used it for a PS cooler. I added the flex-a-lite 185 with the variable speed controller as I'd already done the 3G upgrade. I went with an elect fan for the HP savings as well as a 1653 flowkooler WP (high flow CW or CCW rotation) and then added March undersize pulleys. In short a good 3 row brass with a stock HO clutch fan will do a good job.
That's a very cool idea to use your old trans cooler for a PS cooler.
yeah that's pretty neat. I was just gonna plug mine off. Not now!
I haven't yet upgraded to 3G and I have no problems with my fan or the current draw. As for radiator, I bought the stock replacement unit from AZ and haven't had a problem with it in over 2 years. Granted, it hasn't been driven daily in about 1.5 years but still...
If you drive your car in colder temps, I recommend using a rad for an AOD along with your cooler
I'm still running the stock radiator on my T-bird and it cools fine. It never goes past the 1/2 mark even on hot days with the A/C on. I think your problem is the stock fan and fan clutch. If they really are the ones that came with the car from the factory then they need to be replaced. I have a HO fan clutch and a 9 blade HO fan on my car and it cools fine, even in hot weather with the A/C set on 68*.
Replacing the stock fan and fan clutch is cheap and easy!:D
Then I say get the radiator I have. Nice, sturdy, inexpensive, good looking, highly functional, and can easily be polished............Yeah, I'm thinking about it.
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So I have been researching the whole fan clutch thing. From what I've read, people claim that the stock fan clutch's are good to 70-80k and beyond that they are very pr0ne to not working properly. Mine is the factory original piece and with nearly 190,000 miles on her, I'd say its high time for replacement.
I looked into parts store brand replacements, but everyone has told me that they make a lot more noise than the OEM stuff and are not very high quality. I've also read that the most amazingly bad ass factory fan clutch ever (lol) was that found on the SSP police Mustangs. I have decided to go ahead and order one despite their higher cost ($149.99 from PPI (http://"http://www.performancepartsinc.com/engine_79_93.html")). From everything I've read, they make a huge difference and are worth the price. I still would like to get a aluminum radiator down the road but am actually hoping this solves my "running warm" issues for now.
That's the clutch I have. When I bought it 5 years ago I though it was expensive at $100.......
It works really well. I bet the clutch is what's causing the car to get warm. I'd also throw a HO 9 blade fan on the car while you're at it.
Heeeeeyyyyyy MR Wilson, you should also replace the plastic fan blade as well. The old one is most likely on it's way out at that mileage. When you remove it you will see cracks starting to radiate out from the bolt holes and if reused the bolts will magnify those cracks even further when re tightened and eventually cause that fan to self destruct. Trust me, it's not pretty when that happens.
By the way, you chose the best clutch fan made for a ford. :burnout:
Lol, guys I'm already one step ahead of you. I ordered the 9 blade HO fan from PPI as well. Last thing I wanted was to have the fan explode 100 miles from home.
Its good to hear some positive feedback from my 'bird/cougar brethren about this setup. After all, it has to be an awesome fan clutch, it has "police" stamped on it for heavens sake. lol.
I'd like to know how they designed that clutch to work like that....but all I know is it made a difference. And I can't believe it shot up $50!!!! I also paid 100 bucks two years ago I think, while I was still driving the red car. Helped out a lot, though I had no idea H.O. motors had a different fan. Suppose I'll pick one of those up too at some point for all 3 cars...
They are very pricey!