bigger radiator.

[NMB2]

im looking to upgrade the radiator in my 88 B2, currently it just has the single core which i belive is really the problem to my cooling issues. I noticed its not as simple as the one in my 84 that just drops into some brackets and clamps in.. rather it has built in brackets/tabs on the radiator itself. Did B2's come factory with bigger than this single core? If so, ill go hit up the j-yard.

 

[pwrranger88]

one out of an explorer with a 4.0 should fit

 

[AllanD]

The radiator you want is the one from an auto trans 91-94 Explorer.

AD

 

[NMB2]

thanks guys. Ill go find/get one tomorrow.

 

[CopyKat]

Just remember that a bigger rad is not always a solution. The bigger the rad the more fuild you need to cool.

My 4.0L stays cooler with a single core rad than it does with the thicker Explorer dual core.

Not all single core rads are the same. I have found that some are thinner than others.

What I would be looking at if your having overheat issues is the thermostat and looking at your fan and clutch. Do you have a fan shroud?

Might want to look into a Taurus 3.8L e-fan. I have one, and I think it might solve some of your conserns, as it did mine.

 

[Clem]

CopyKat is correct about the radiator and the clutch fan.
My 86 B2 came with a brass 2 core radiator, I don't know why it had brass.
A friend had an 87 B2 with a single core aluminum radiator and couldn't keep it cool in the spring and fall, let alone the 90+ summer days. He did a lot of looking and found a two core and a 10 bladed clutch fan from an Explorer. His problem was solved.
I'm not saying this will solve your problem. He also lost a couple tenths of a mile per gallon, which equates to a loss of HP.
In the day when we didn't have computer engine management, an engine running hot meant the timing was out of whack or possibly some part of the cooling system was plugged.
The other problem, heaven forbid was a cracked water jacket.
The later is possible on a 2.9, cracked head, but you would be loosing coolant with that problem.
Where I live a 4 core aluminum radiator from a ASY will run about $65, I don't believe you need one, but pulling more air with either a 10 blade clutch fan or an electric from a Taurus will probably be a lot cheaper and more of a problem solver. Pay attention to the above statement about the 10 blade fan and the power loss.

Ray

 

[Mosinman76254]

In the day when we didn't have computer engine management, an engine running hot meant the timing was out of whack or possibly some part of the cooling system was plugged.

Ahh, the good ol' days, Amen to that Clem.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Just remember that a bigger rad is not always a solution. The bigger the rad the more fuild you need to cool.

My 4.0L stays cooler with a single core rad than it does with the thicker Explorer dual core.

Not all single core rads are the same. I have found that some are thinner than others.

What I would be looking at if your having overheat issues is the thermostat and looking at your fan and clutch. Do you have a fan shroud?

Might want to look into a Taurus 3.8L e-fan. I have one, and I think it might solve some of your conserns, as it did mine.

Hey CopyKat, can you elaborate on that? my theory is the thinner radiator is easier to pull air through. I swapped to the super thick explorer radiator, and am now having clearance problems trying to instal an Efan. Seems my options are go back to thin core radiator, or run the thinnest fan possible and slice off the waterpump fan clutch threads for clearance. Your statement has given some confidence that the thin core radiator may be fine, even in CA desert summers, if with a good Efan behind it...

 

[JerryC]

My 86 never overheated, even when I lived in Phx on 120 degree days. It was all stock.
This B2 I have now has a factory sized replacement rad and it's fine on high 90 degree days with the AC on. I think it's a dual core. I did put a new fan and fan clutch on it when I fixed the AC.

 

[ecgreen]

I use a 4.0 rad. Simply couldn't run my engine without it overheating any other way

 

[wildbill23c]

I have a dual row 4L Ranger radiator in my 88 Bronco 2, you can't have too much cooling capacity I don't think, and having the automatic transmission and air conditioning, the cooler I can keep things the better....I added an auxiliary transmission cooler which helped a lot too. I have the stock clutch fan, and have no cooling issues unless I'm sitting for long periods of time with the A/C on and transmission in gear creeping along in traffic for example. Most times I have no trouble with cooling, and it would be trouble free if I switched to an electric fan at very low speeds or at a stop is when things will heat up due to lack of airflow through the condenser and radiator.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Just remember that a bigger rad is not always a solution. The bigger the rad the more fuild you need to cool.

My 4.0L stays cooler with a single core rad than it does with the thicker Explorer dual core.

Not all single core rads are the same. I have found that some are thinner than others.

What I would be looking at if your having overheat issues is the thermostat and looking at your fan and clutch. Do you have a fan shroud?

Might want to look into a Taurus 3.8L e-fan. I have one, and I think it might solve some of your conserns, as it did mine.

+1! I switched to a thicker core radiator, then switched back...thinner core surprisingly cooled better.

 

[JerryC]

I put a Flexalite 160 kit on this weekend it's working well so far but I haven't really had a chance to test it in 100* heat yet. Mid 90's no problem.
The AC does work better at idle than with the stock clutch fan setup.

 

[bobbywalter]

11 year old thread likely won't get a response from kopykat.

 

[stegomon]

I have a 4.0 rad in my 88 b2. I think the lower hose is for a 4.0 manual and the upper hose is off the 2.9