In the market for a radiator

[nb11]

I have a small leak in my radiator where the plastic tank attaches to the core. I patched it with some epoxy which helped it leak less to get me home, but it still leaks a little and I know there's not really in point in trying to get it repaired. I've seen replacements on summit and rock auto for a little over $100, and I'm wondering if they're a good quality? One brand was Spectra and one was Vista Pro. I don't want to spend $400 on a Motorcraft one if I don't have to. I posted in the 4-cyl discussion and didn't really get a response. Thanks if you have any info!

 

[whocares]

I dont know if you have pull a part in your area, but I just picked up a nearly new one from a 90 BII with a/c and auto trans. Its a 4 (maybe 3?) core radiator, and it appears to be aftermarket. It's thicker than the explorer radiators w/ac and auto that I compared it to in the junkyard, but not as wide. Bolted right up and used my old hoses. Why they left it in there when they sold it to the junkyard I'll never know because it works perfectly.

Point is, they charged me $37 and some change, with a 30 day warranty.

 

[nb11]

Oh wow, that's a good deal. I'm not sure if there's any yards here or not. I just moved a couple months ago and haven't heard of any yards. I'd rather get a new one than chance one from a junkyard if I can get one for as cheap as I found them online.

 

[whocares]

I understand that completely. Maybe it's just me, but the pull a part yard here is like a Wal-Mart to me lol. I spend hours in there.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I got a used one for my V8 swap, it turned to be a leaker. Not looking to keep making 1-1/2 hr trips up there I just got a new one.

I want to say it was a Spectra but don't hold me to it, $116 for a brand new two core Explorer radiator from Carquest. Works great

They vastly changed things upfront in '96, I don't have many 3+ gens in the yards around me.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I've replaced mine with a Ready-Rad from Advance Auto Parts. Its about to go on its second winter and has survived the hottest days on record for Oklahoma.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I've tried the used rad from a junkyard before....

I put four radiators in the same truck in a month and a half doing that. If it wasn't for the fact that I was up at that junkyard at least once a week, I would have got fed up sooner than that. Kinda soured me for getting a used rad again.

Last new one I bought for myself was through a place called Radiator Barn, found them online and they had a pretty good price at the time.

Last new one I bought for someone else was from Autozone. Turns out AZ warranties their radiators for as long as you own the vehicle. If it leaks, bring it back and get a new one. Wish I would have known that sooner, for as long as I keep stuff, that's a great deal for me.

 

[snake]

1 800 radiator is another place. I tried a boneyard rad once and it leaked like a sieve too- I don't even have them cleaned anymore, when they start clogging I just put in a new one and be done with it.

 

[nb11]

Thanks, guys. I finally just went with a Napa radiator. I figured I could trust their product. However, it turns out that while the box had a Napa sticker on it, the radiator inside had a Spectra Premium tag on it. I could have gotten the same one from Rockauto for $115, but I paid $165 for one from Napa lol. Oh well. You live and learn. I just thought I'd share that in case anyone else was going through the same thing.

The new radiator seemed to be good quality; everything fit just like the old one. Only difference is the new one is a universal model, meaning it has fittings for a tranny cooler for the automatic model Ranger. Another thing I might add, is if you haven't flushed your coolant in a couple years or so, DO IT! A lot of crap came out when I did mine. Lots of what looked like black sand. With the engine running, I left the drain petcock on the radiator open and kept running water through, about 4-5 gallons worth, until it came out clear.
Just thought I'd post the final results of my ordeal.