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Author Topic: Radiator...help!!!  (Read 4225 times)

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Offline jeremysdad

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Radiator...help!!!
« on: April 09, 2014, 08:28:40 PM »
Has anybody installed and verified function of a later model (74-80) radiator into an early year (72, specifically) car? AC, auto wagon.

I just discovered a leak in the vicinity of the upper tank in mine, and I've only found one (somewhat sketchy) source for a replacement (Here: http://www.outlawradiator.com/#priceresults).

I know a couple of old-school radiator shops in Nashville, but that's 45 miles each way from me. (Formula: Gas x Time +RadShopPrice = Just buy new radiator if the newer ones work?)

 Thoughts, comments, suggestions???

Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2014, 09:07:34 PM »
CU426 is the late radiator. It will fit the early cars & I'm using one in my 71. It's a little wider so the passenger side bolts in but the drivers side either need new holes or you cut & move the section of the core support over & weld it in. A few people have done it. It takes the stock hoses in the stock locations.
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Offline amc49

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2014, 09:51:03 PM »
Watch the ultimate bottom as well, I've seen like '74 go into '80 and seems fine but the bottom tank hung down further. Doable but I made a mental note to not pull up to curbs as close, lower tank ended up being close to the first thing that would drag.

Offline jeremysdad

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2014, 03:34:15 PM »
A follow up: The leak doesn't seem that catastrophic (maybe a 1/3 gallon a month) and it seems like it's over the normal water level, so it's just venting pressure and steam more than leaking liquid water.

To better monitor the situation, I finally got around to installing my aftermarket mechanical temp gauge this afternoon. My preliminary test drive indicates that the temp never gets above 170, even sitting at a warmed-up idle at a drive thru window.

Not ruling the thermostat out (though it is only a year and a half old), but my question for the 2.0 crowd is this:

I know that there is supposed to be a retaining ring behind the thermostat/seal to keep it forward in the housing. Mine was MIA. Would that allow the thermostat to tilt enough to where it was virtually bypassed? What could you replace it with, a big snap ring?

As always, thanks, guys!

Eta: Knowing that the thermostat is appx 1.886 inches across, a ring like this, maybe?

Offline jeremysdad

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2014, 06:33:33 PM »
A quick Google says this is what's missing (the metal retaining ring): http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thermostat-Gasket-Kit-82deg-cooler-Sierra-Cosworth-2wd-YB-/151272663792

Offline dick1172762

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2014, 06:55:28 PM »
THAT WHAT YOU NEED! You could make one if you could find the wire. Maybe at a hobby shop. Give it a try.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline amc49

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2014, 08:31:11 PM »
Probably bypassing in a leak. Running at 170 will eventually sludge the motor up............ .............. too cold.

Offline jeremysdad

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2014, 07:47:08 AM »
I'll figure something out and follow up with what I did to fix it. Thanks guys!

Offline jeremysdad

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2014, 06:30:06 PM »
Still on the hunt for a good (not made made out of a coat hanger) retaining clip. Going to try a store in Nashville that had a stainless internal snap ring (in stainless) that I found through Google.

Amc: Just wanted to let you know that my local Advance Auto Parts had a Stant thermostat in stock for me, as I've read other posts that you've made saying that you couldn't find them readily available locally. If you have any of those around, they should have them for you. And it was the same price as the store brands from the Autozone and O'Reilly ($5). Even had a big shiny 'Made in the USA' printed on the box. ;) Link to the 195 degree version.

I went to my parent's yesterday, and it will eventually get up to 190 or so, it just takes 30 miles to get there. O.o

Will follow up tomorrow.

Offline jeremysdad

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2014, 04:54:50 PM »
Or today, four days later. :/ Question: Does anyone have a thermostat housing from a 2.0 off the car that they could measure the ID of for me?

Stopped by Grainger Industrial Supply today after work, with my thermostat for reference. Wound up ordering 2 internal retaining rings ('snap rings'), a 2"(2-1/4" fully open) and a 1-7/8"(2-1/16" fully open), both in stainless steel.

They'll be in Monday, so hopefully I'll be off in time that they're still open so I can run by and figure out which one will be the best fit. They're about $8 a piece, but should last forever. Til then, it does get up to 185-190 now that it's warm out. It was in the 20's yesterday morning, and it stayed at 160. It was 75 on the way home today, and it sat right at 190 all the way home.

Offline amc49

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2014, 05:08:48 PM »
Actually I just ran across Stant being stocked again at the local Walmart after a long absence. You could've knocked me over with a feather. They may have still been around but me just picking up parts in the wrong places. I buy mostly online now simply to stiff the big two parts chains, their parts are simply way way too high now.

Offline jeremysdad

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2014, 05:03:21 PM »
Repaired follow up:

A 1-7/8 inch internal retaining ring (I went with stainless) replaces the thermostat retaining clip perfectly.

I ordered mine in person at a Grainger Supply, but they have a website. :)

Link to part I used: http://www.grainger.com/product/Retain-Ring-5DE17?searchQuery=5de17

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2014, 08:19:11 AM »
A T-Stat snap ring????..
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Offline dick1172762

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #13 on: April 25, 2014, 10:01:15 AM »
YYYY not. Looks better than stock. Seems like I remember a rubber spacer under the thermostat so the thermostat would fit up against the snap ring????
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2014, 10:14:34 AM »
Never had a vehicle in my life that ever had a snap ring in a t-stat, my Pinto don't have one...
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Offline dick1172762

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #15 on: April 25, 2014, 07:32:47 PM »
ALL 2.0L Fords are built that way.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline 74 PintoWagon

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #16 on: April 25, 2014, 09:09:37 PM »
Interesting learn something new everyday, of course these little things are a whole new world to me, gotta lot to learn, LOL..
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Offline jeremysdad

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Re: Radiator...help!!!
« Reply #17 on: April 26, 2014, 03:34:45 PM »
YYYY not. Looks better than stock. Seems like I remember a rubber spacer under the thermostat so the thermostat would fit up against the snap ring????

Yes, there is a 1/4" thick seal  between the housing and the thermostat. :)

I thought it looked better than the stock clip, as well. And it should last forever.