Do 3.0 Autos have a 2 row radiator or 1 row?

[sickwilly]

Looks like I need a new radiator (small leak at top, no idea how long it’s been there) and the vast majority I see at rockauto and summit are single core. Ive seen mentioned while reading old threads that the autos had 2 core so Im wondering if I should be looking for a 2 core. This is for a 03 3.0 auto. thanks

 

[cbxer55]

I have a 98 3.0 auto, 183,800 miles. Honestly, I couldn't tell you. I don't know if you can tell by looking at it if it's single or double. Maybe it needed to be double since the auto trans fluid was cooled via the same radiator? I know I've never had a lick of trouble with mine overheating, or with the transmission at all. The rest of the truck is falling apart around them. ;-)

It's my bad weather beater.

 

[RonD]

Yes, automatics have double core and most vehicles with AC do as well

You need to replace it with what you have or the shroud won't fit

Although my 1994 Manual trans 4.0l with AC had a single core, I replaced it with double core because that was what was "in stock" locally, that's how I know the shroud is different, lol

 

[sickwilly]

Cbxer55. Yeah I didn’t know if you could tell by looking at it or not either. I can fix a few things, I don’t know jack about radiators.

Ron. Your the one that posted in an old thread about autos having 2 cores. If I hadn't read that I might’ve ordered a single and not known the difference. I’ll check Rock and Summit again, thought all I saw were singles. And ebay has 3 or 4 coils. This is the only 2 row I’ve found so far.https://www.ebay.com/itm/255683973880
Can you look at it or measure it and tell? Well if the shrouds are different I guess you can. I’ll look around some more.

 

[Curious Hound]

You can measure the thickness. Double row is roughly twice as thick as single, triple is 3x’s etc. I think Rockauto usually lists the thickness and tells you if it’s single, double, etc.

 

[sickwilly]

OK, apparently mine is single row - measures 1inch. Also only holds 2 gal, not 14.9 qts like the book says. This aint the first part to not add up on this truck. I bought it brand new so i know its original. Assuming a 2 row radiator holds twice as much fluid, I gotta wonder if a 2 row is what’s supposed to be in there. Took the shroud off to measure and it looks like there’s room. Then again, Ive got a scanner and coolant and trans temp has always been where it’s supposed to be so FI, maybe see if I can find an all aluminum single core since a single has worked for 19 years.
Anybody have any idea how much coolant stays in the engine, just curious.

 

[Curious Hound]

Double row might not hold twice as much water because the tanks in the ends are about the same size. It’s mainly just the tubes that are doubled.

 

[sickwilly]

Eric
Yeah your right. I just thought the discrepancy in capacity was odd - was trying to explain it in my head. I have no idea how much the engine block holds or if it drains from the block when you drain the radiator from the petcock. I would think so but idk.