Xplorer FEAD - What Rad Hoses Did You Use?

[markinms]

I installed the Explorer FEAD. I'm using a "V8 Swap" radiator that I bought on ebay. The radiator has a connection on the bottom of the driver's side and the top on the passenger side.

Since the Explorer water pump is a reverse rotation pump, do I need to reverse how my radiator hoses are installed, ie., water pump hose to upper rad connection; thermostat housing to lower rad connection?

How have you, who are using the Explorer FEAD, installed your hoses? What hoses did you use? What modification(s) did you have to make?

Thanks for any help!

Mark

 

[RonD]

On all engines
Upper hose is OUT to Radiator
Lower hose is IN from Radiator

Radiators cool from the top down, so flow is warm coolant in at the top and cooled coolant out at the bottom, yes even side flow radiators
A Radiators static cooling is about 10-15degF, static = no fan or air flow while driving, it bumps up to over 20degF with air flow

Engines that use lower hose thermostats just use a different temp setting for opening and closing, but flow in and out of rad is the same as engine that uses upper hose thermostats.

Upper hose thermostat is 190-195degF
Lower hose thermostat 180degF

This accounts for the 10-15degF cooling provided by radiator
Thermostat does not care what direction coolant flows, it just opens at the set temp and allows coolant to flow either way

Water pump rotation is decided by the fan belt setup for that model/year and engine, but flow thru the engine and out to radiator would be the same regardless of water pumps rotational direction
Rotational direction has to do with impeller blades in the pump

If your radiator connections are opposite of the current engine then get another radiator with reversed connections.
Using longer hoses is an option but not one I would recommend

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Thermostat does not care what direction coolant flows, it just opens at the set temp and allows coolant to flow either way

I think they are mainly temperature sensitive on one side so the hot coolant should probably only hit the one side to work the best.

I have a OEM replacement stat in mine, 190* IIRC. Beware if you use the Ex t-stat housing you have to use an Ex t-stat. They are different than a generic 302 t-stat.

When I first did my swap someone said you gotta use a 160* thermostat for it to cool the best, so I did. Ran 200* in the summer and ran 160* in the winter and had the most miserable heat/defrost ever. Amazing what 30* will do. I put a OEM 190* t-stat in it and it runs 200* year 'round.

91-94 HD Explorer radiator, trimmed 5.0 Explorer top hose and a flex hose on the bottom. Your connections are in the same corners as mine but mine are angled. Also keep in mind I have a 3" bodylift so the radiator sits higher than normal.

 

[RonD]

Yes, the larger spring side of thermostat always faces the engine, I should have made that clearer, but once it opens coolant can flow either way

 

[markinms]

Thanks guys for the info.

I spent some time with one of the local auto parts store. Tried the Xplorer 5.0 top hose and it absolutely did not work for me. I couldn't get either end of the hose to line up with the outlets. Took it back for an exchange.

Tried a 1990 Mustang GT upper hose. It was perfect except that the radiator end size was 1 1/4". I need 1 1/2"

The 1990 Mustang GT lower hose was also a perfect fit. Right size for the water pump end and right size for the radiator end. I screwed up and cut off too much. Will get a new one tomorrow and be more careful when I cut.

So, bottom hose will be taken care of. Still need to find the "right" upper hose.

Mark

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I trimmed the Explorer hose to make it work.

 

[markinms]

The Xplorer upper hose I tried to use was a Gates 22310. I was told it would fit a 1998 Xplorer with a V8.

If you get a chance, would you mind doing a quick Google search on Gates 22310 and let me know it that is the hose you started with? Not sure how to post a pic yet.

Mark

Added: I rechecked the above hose and can see why it fits your vehicle. Having the passenger side rad outlet angled makes a big difference. With mine being straight, the hose kinks no matter what I do. Trimming won't help; going to have to do some splicing with different hoses to get what I need.

Mark

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Might just get two 90* elbows (or a hose that will provide two 90* elbows) and put a pipe between them.

 

[markinms]

Thanks, that's what I ended up doing.

Mark