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Author Topic: need radiator  (Read 761 times)

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Offline pintob

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need radiator
« on: November 09, 2022, 04:32:47 PM »
1979 2.3 with air & auto. trans. can't find a radiator. HELP!!

Offline rob289c

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Re: need radiator
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2022, 05:17:34 AM »
When I get home tonight I will see what the physical differences are between my 1980 2.3, Auto Pinto and my 1967 289, Auto Mustang.  They may be close enough for easy adaptation.  Everything is available for early Mustangs...
rob289c

Offline Wittsend

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Re: need radiator
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2022, 04:42:00 PM »
Finding a generic radiator with the height/width, inlet/outlet size/placement probably isn't too hard. It might take a few holes drilled to mount. The shroud might be more difficult but not impossible to mount.

The good thing about radiators is they are very adaptable. When I put a 20" radiator in my '73 Pinto the 17" sat around for ever. My daily Driver was a Mazda 323. It was destine to fail smog but it met the requirements for the $1,000 smog buy back program. Wouldn't you know three weeks before I could test the car (it did fail, knew it would, hit the highest passing number on the previous test) the radiator took a large leak. I literally uses I think..., one bolt hole and baling wire to hold the Pinto radiator, Mazda electric fan in place. Rolled up at least 250 miles before I went through the testing and then the buy back process. But thank you 17" Pinto radiator, you made me $1,000.


Offline firepinto

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Re: need radiator
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2022, 11:45:41 PM »
I used an Eastwood Tri-flow GM small style radiator in my 79.  It was a project to make it work but it works great.  It is a cross flow style, and the cap just fit snug up into the hood.  I had to trim the opening and mounted the flanges on the front side of the core support.  For mounting, I used bolts and rubber shock bushings and washers to space it out.
 

https://odysee.com/@firepinto:4/20211031_162128:6

I had already taken the front grill and lights out prior to this project, and removing the bumper and passenger side bumper mount was also needed to be removed to install the radiator from the front.


My Pinto is a manual transmission, and it don't look like the tri-flow has an option for internal auto trans cooler.  It looks like they have external options.
'79 Pinto auto hatch back with an '80 2.3L and 4 speed transplant.  A 2.3 Turbo and T5 are waiting for the next transplant.

Plans changed, going V8 with TKX!

Offline Mattb

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Re: need radiator
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2022, 06:56:01 PM »
US Radiator’s web site shows that they make a radiator for the Mustang II. Might want to see how close that is to your needs. They might even be able to customize to your exact dimensions. Also if you have your radiator there are places that can rebuild it.

Offline rob289c

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Re: need radiator
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2022, 05:10:26 PM »
My '67 289 Mustang radiator is dimensionally the same as my '80 2.3 Pinto radiator.  The difference is the upper hose is on the drivers side in the Pinto, and both upper and lower are on the passenger side of the Mustang.  It could easily be used in a 2.3 Pinto with a different hose.  Both the thermostat and water pump on the 2.3 are on the passenger side so with the right hoses, an early Mustang radiator could be used in a Pinto.  I don't know what the orientation of the connectors are on a 6 cyl Mustang but if they are the same as the Pinto (Upper on Driver's side and lower in the passenger side, it would be a direct replacement unless the connection sizes are different.  Even if that is the case, it can be made to work if no Pinto radiators are available.  A little creativity would make it an easy swap.
rob289c

Offline davidpinto

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Re: need radiator
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2022, 04:15:40 PM »
I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING A RADIATOR FOR MY 80 MODEL.I BOUGHT THE ONE IN IT NOW A YEAR AND A HALF AGO ,MY LOCAL OREILLYS HAD 1 IN THEIR D.C. .A CU426 THE ONE FOR AC CARS.IT HAS LEAKED FROM DAY 1.I HAD TO RESOLDER THE TRANS.LINE BUNGS FIRST,THEN IT STARTED LEAKING AGAIN AROUND THE LOWER SPOUT,FIXED THAT.RECENTLY STARTED DRIPPING AGAIN SO I PUT SOME BARS LEAK IN IT AND IT HAS STOPPED SO FAR.THAT WAS THE LAST CU426 IN EXISTENCE THERE IS NO MORE.# CU418 FITS MUSTANG 11s W/O AIR ,CU419 FITS MUSTANG 11s W/AIR EITHER WOULD WORK EASILY BUT GOOD LUCK FINDING ONE.I'LL PROBLY TAKE IT BACK OUT AND TAKE IT TO A RAD REPAIR AND GET IT FIXED RIGHT.I WILL CHECK OUT U S RADIATORS .
D BARHAM

Offline davidpinto

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FOUND RADIATOR
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2022, 05:21:47 PM »
I SCORED! I CALLED A BUDDY OF MINE WHO WORKS AT O'REILLYS YESTERDAY AND TOLD HIM ABOUT MY RADIATOR PROBLEM.HE TOLD ME HE'd SEE WHAT HE COULD DO AND WOULD CALL ME BACK.HE CALLED TODAY AND SAID HE HAS ONE COMING ,BE THERE FRIDAY AND WOULD WARANTY MINE NO CHARGE .MINE IS A MURRAY BRAND .IF THEY HAVE ONE THEY MIGHT HAVE MORE AT THE FACTORY.I WAS ABOUT TO ORDER A MUSTANG 11 RADIATOR FROM USA RADIATOR FOR $650.00 I RECOMEND CHECKING WITH O'REILLYS FOR A MURRAY.
D BARHAM