Swap Radiators

[85_Ranger4x4]

This is a pretty big issue with an engine swap, what are ya running?

What do you have for an engine?

What temp thermostat?

Hose setup?

Belt System?

Fan Setup?

Impressions/issues/thoughts?

Pics are worth a thousand words and part numbers are worth 10x more...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This is a pretty big issue with an engine swap, what are ya running?

What do you have for an engine?

Hose setup?

Fan Setup?

Impressions/issues/thoughts?

Pics are worth a thousand words and part numbers are worth 10x more...

What are ya running:

HD two row radiator for a 91-94 Explorer with A/C and automatic transmission

What do you have for an engine:
1987 CV 302, Mustang HO cam, shorty headers, 4bbl Edelbrock 1403 (500CFM) Shortblock is smilar to a '86 Mustang GT but without forged pistons.



What thermostat?
OE spec 195* thermostat

Hose Setup:
Cut and trimmed 4.0 Explorer upper hose.



I believe the lower hose is from a 5.0 Explorer, cut with a splice.





Belt system?

95-01 Explorer



Fan setup?

Low profile flex fan



And two A/C condenser fans for a Mercedes C230 Kompressor for pushers

 

[Curious Hound]

Ok. i was going to start off with a smart-a** answer since you and I began discussing this last night. Instead, I decided I could stand to learn something. Based on what the Navy taught me about heat transfer and fluid flows, I would say the article linked below is spot on. It doesn’t tell you straight up “Use this radiator for that engine.” But all the clues are there for someone to make an educated purchase.

Note some of the things mentioned that we don’t often consider. The shroud is just as important as the radiator design and fan blade placement within the shroud - how far into the opening is the blade? Considering materials, I would aim for all metal construction. Plastic tanks won’t transfer heat as well as metal ones. Then all that stuff about how many rows, how many passes, fin density, etc.

For my V8 swap, I am hoping to use the OEM radiator from my Explorer donor vehicle. If Ford thought it was the right size, I’m willing to try it. I have a feeling that radiator placement, shroud and fan blade placement in the shroud opening will be the tricky pieces to optimize.

How to Select a Radiator - Keeping Your Cool

With a properly designed cooling system, overheating should never be a problem. We show you how to select a radiator for your application here. - Custom Classic Trucks Magazine

www.hotrod.com

 

[fastpakr]

Ok. i was going to start off with a smart-a** answer since you and I began discussing this last night. Instead, I decided I could stand to learn something. Based on what the Navy taught me about heat transfer and fluid flows, I would say the article linked below is spot on. It doesn’t tell you straight up “Use this radiator for that engine.” But all the clues are there for someone to make an educated purchase.

Note some of the things mentioned that we don’t often consider. The shroud is just as important as the radiator design and fan blade placement within the shroud - how far into the opening is the blade? Considering materials, I would aim for all metal construction. Plastic tanks won’t transfer heat as well as metal ones. Then all that stuff about how many rows, how many passes, fin density, etc.

For my V8 swap, I am hoping to use the OEM radiator from my Explorer donor vehicle. If Ford thought it was the right size, I’m willing to try it. I have a feeling that radiator placement, shroud and fan blade placement in the shroud opening will be the tricky pieces to optimize.

How to Select a Radiator - Keeping Your Cool

With a properly designed cooling system, overheating should never be a problem. We show you how to select a radiator for your application here. - Custom Classic Trucks Magazine

www.hotrod.com

For what it’s worth, I had the stock V8 Explorer radiator in mine and never had any cooling issues whatsoever.

 

[Curious Hound]

For my project, I will be also be utilizing an external transmission cooler in addition to the one in the radiator. I would like to use the oil cooler that came in my donor engine. But clearance to the power steering gear may prohibit that. Cooling engine oil should also help control engine temperatures. I firmly believe in cooling lubricating fluids and hydraulic fluids. I have already added a power steering fluid cooler on my truck.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ok. i was going to start off with a smart-a** answer since you and I began discussing this last night. Instead, I decided I could stand to learn something. Based on what the Navy taught me about heat transfer and fluid flows, I would say the article linked below is spot on. It doesn’t tell you straight up “Use this radiator for that engine.” But all the clues are there for someone to make an educated purchase.

Note some of the things mentioned that we don’t often consider. The shroud is just as important as the radiator design and fan blade placement within the shroud - how far into the opening is the blade? Considering materials, I would aim for all metal construction. Plastic tanks won’t transfer heat as well as metal ones. Then all that stuff about how many rows, how many passes, fin density, etc.

For my V8 swap, I am hoping to use the OEM radiator from my Explorer donor vehicle. If Ford thought it was the right size, I’m willing to try it. I have a feeling that radiator placement, shroud and fan blade placement in the shroud opening will be the tricky pieces to optimize.

How to Select a Radiator - Keeping Your Cool

With a properly designed cooling system, overheating should never be a problem. We show you how to select a radiator for your application here. - Custom Classic Trucks Magazine

www.hotrod.com

Where the rubber meets the road here... is fitment vs performance.

OE is great where it fits... but it often doesn't. This is just to kinda share what everybody has tried and what works. The 5.0 Explorer radiator is a bit too tall for earlier trucks.