Best radiator for 73 351C fastback

[Mikes73]

Hello everyone, it has been a while since I have posted but the car is progressing pretty well. I have the engine and trans in and I am ready to put the cooling system in. The car has a 351C 2V engine, FMX trans, 2.75 rear gears and will eventually have the air conditioning system put back into it. I bought the car as a rolling chassis so everything is being pretty much done from scratch so I need your suggestions for a nice quality radiator for our car, Thanks!

Ps I live in an area that gets very hot in the summer

 

[OMS]

Hello everyone, it has been a while since I have posted but the car is progressing pretty well. I have the engine and trans in and I am ready to put the cooling system in. The car has a 351C 2V engine, FMX trans, 2.75 rear gears and will eventually have the air conditioning system put back into it. I bought the car as a rolling chassis so everything is being pretty much done from scratch so I need your suggestions for a nice quality radiator for our car, Thanks!

Ps I live in an area that gets very hot in the summer

As long as your not looking for original looks.

Summit racing has a nice aluminum replacement - several members have used it.

If wanting original might be best to get your original recored

 

[Tnfastbk]

I bought a Griffin one, What they call direct fit but I did not like the angle the bottom hose had so I had it removed and rewelded straight.

But no cooling issues with it..

 

[Mikes73]

Thanks for the tip, I would like to try to stay original looking but I am open to the aluminum idea, we bought the car as just a body with wheels, no engine, trans, radiator, nada.

 

[Bill73Ragtop]

You can use Radiator Paint (specially formulated to maintain proper heat transfer properties) that will make an aluminum look pretty close to factory appearance. Unless you are going concourse, it's probably the best way to go. Remember to ground the aluminum to the chassis

 

[c9zx]

If you want copper/brass consider Murray 433381. It is sold through O'Reilly's Auto Parts among others. It has the vertical tension rods in the center as OEM. The replacement made by Spectra (Autozone and others) does not. Just an idea. Chuck

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

I went with the Griffin and even found a hose that when an inch or so is trimmed off each end fits very nicely. If you go Griffin, let me know and I'll get you the part number.

 

[Mikes73]

I went with the Griffin and even found a hose that when an inch or so is trimmed off each end fits very nicely. If you go Griffin, let me know and I'll get you the part number.

Thanks again folks!, yeah I'd like the part number for the Griffin if you have it, thanks.

 

[Mister 4x4]

If you want copper/brass consider Murray 433381. It is sold through O'Reilly's Auto Parts among others. It has the vertical tension rods in the center as OEM. The replacement made by Spectra (Autozone and others) does not. Just an idea. Chuck

That's the one I got (the Murray) - same P/N through Advance Auto Parts.

 

[droptop73]

I picked up a Jegs universal aluminum radiator with Ford inlet and outlet.

 

[Wolverine]

I am unaware of any issues with a stock OEM radiator that will prevent your motor from remaining cool even in hot areas with a stock OEM radiator. I live in Lousy Angeles, and drove my hopped up a 351w (2V to 4V with a mild cam) all hot September long without a single issue. Stock radiator, top flow radiator.

Part of considering a stock fan is you get to use the stock mounts, the stock hoses, the stock shroud, the stock fan. Makes installation and future parts purchases much easier.

And, in my humble opinion, if your car is overheating, you probably have an issue you should remedy....but it is certainly easy/cheap to go from a 2 row to a 3 row radiator.

 

[Mikes73]

I am unaware of any issues with a stock OEM radiator that will prevent your motor from remaining cool even in hot areas with a stock OEM radiator. I live in Lousy Angeles, and drove my hopped up a 351w (2V to 4V with a mild cam) all hot September long without a single issue. Stock radiator, top flow radiator.

Part of considering a stock fan is you get to use the stock mounts, the stock hoses, the stock shroud, the stock fan. Makes installation and future parts purchases much easier.

And, in my humble opinion, if your car is overheating, you probably have an issue you should remedy....but it is certainly easy/cheap to go from a 2 row to a 3 row radiator.

Thanks for the reply, I have never driven this car yet we bought this car as a rolling chassis a year and a half ago. So far I've done the body work, floor pans, trunk pan, taillight panel, installed a 70 351C 2v, FMX trans, new wheels and tires, new brake hoses, master cylinder and a ton of other stuff. I am now looking for a radiator for our resto project simply because our car didn't come with one