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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Jays74 on August 31, 2019, 05:22:56 PM

Title: 1974 pinto 2.3 radiator
Post by: Jays74 on August 31, 2019, 05:22:56 PM
Hello everyone
Well my radiator started leaking from bottom now need to buy new one
Here's the issue. .can't find one for my 74 at all , only 71-73 or 75-80
What's my options ?
Does anyone know where I can find a 74 radiator that bolts right up
O'Reily's have me a listing for a 75 Murray radiator but dimensions were not correct
Anyone know where to find a direct fit
Thanks !
Title: Re: 1974 pinto 2.3 radiator
Post by: russosborne on August 31, 2019, 09:43:01 PM
Take the radiator to a radiator shop, have it cleaned out and repaired.
Russ
Title: Re: 1974 pinto 2.3 radiator
Post by: Jays74 on August 31, 2019, 10:28:18 PM
I did call radiator shops and none would give me a garuntee
About $400 to repair if it's even repairable they said
May have to go that route but would rather get a new matching bolt up core if possible
Title: Re: 1974 pinto 2.3 radiator
Post by: JoeBob on August 31, 2019, 11:25:46 PM

This is what you need. I am not an expert, but I have had this 3 times over the years. It was not on a pinto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w36zxJWCgGk
Title: Re: 1974 pinto 2.3 radiator
Post by: LongTimeFordMan on September 01, 2019, 07:12:36 PM
Find another radiator shop..

I had my radiator cleaned and resoldered for $60. 

I checked other shops around and all were less than $100

Also try some of the hot rod sites like Summit, they sell new aluminum radiators.
Title: Re: 1974 pinto 2.3 radiator
Post by: hotrodln on September 12, 2019, 08:30:31 PM
I have a 74 and i bought a radiator listed for a 75 with AC for about 100 at rock auto. it bolted right in and works great. I would forget about trying to fix the old one.
Title: Re: 1974 pinto 2.3 radiator
Post by: Wittsend on September 13, 2019, 04:57:23 PM
1974 was an odd year because the 2.0 AND the 2.3 were offered. The early (71-73) cars had a 17" radiator and most of the 74 and up cars had a 20" radiator. However, I have seen '74 Pinto's with a 2.0 and a 17" radiator. Ford just used a flat plate to make up the difference.

You state that you have a 2.3 and that should be most common. There are only these aspects that are important:

1. Automatic or manual transmission (you didn't state).

2. Height and width.

3. Size and locations of the hose connectors.

With those aspect you can likely find a new, universal fit radiator for far less than the stated $400 to recore yours.  I've found radiators to be one of the more adaptable items on cars. I've swapped a 20" into my original 17" Pinto with a little cradle cutting and welding.  I've swapped a bigger 78 Dodge Diplomat radiator into my 73 Valiant simply redrilling a few holes to match. BTW, far better to redrill the car than the radiator because if you ever need to replace it on the road ... .  I even baling wired my old 17" Pinto radiator into my 91 Mazda 323 for a month or so until I was approved for the California $1,000 gross polluter buy back program. Like I said, radiator are adaptable.

As LTFM mentioned try a place like Summit and see if they have something that will fit. But I'm thinking that hotrodln was accurate in a 75 radiator would fit just fine.