Aluminum radiator with Explorer serpentine?

[kholding]

I have decided to buy an aluminum radiator and wanted to make sure I got the right one that will work best with my explorer serpentine set-up. I know I need the inlet on the passenger side but other than that are there any other concerns, suggestions, experiences...? Anyone have brand or model #'s I should look into. Thanks in advance.

Also have a brand new Wildhorses staggered 4-core radiator for sale. Retails for $375, will sell for $275. Has been used for mock-up only. Located in So. Cal.

 

[fetorino]

Do you need it to be Bronco specific?

Kenny I know you have a custom tubular core support. You could go direct to Ron Davis and have them make the radiator based on the available room and place the outlets where you want them.

I have the WH / Ron Davis radiator and the clearance between the bottom tank and the pass frame rail is tighter than I really want. The other thing I would say is using the stock radiator mounts places the radiator to close to the Explorer water pump to use the Taurus fan.

I'd do something similar to Malonejys radiator.

 

[kholding]

Not a bad idea. Malonejys radiator might be more than I need (or want to spend). Going to check out the Ron Davis website now. Just want to make sure I'm not going to run into any overheating issues especially here in the Vegas desert (115 in the summer!).

 

[MarsChariot]

I am using the Ron Davis radiator with and Explorer serp. It all fits like it should. I do not recall any clearance issues with the passenger side frame rail using the stock lower mounts.

 

[fetorino]

Everyones Bronco is different

I am using the Ron Davis radiator with and Explorer serp. It all fits like it should. I do not recall any clearance issues with the passenger side frame rail using the stock lower mounts.

So everyones experience with parts is different. My core support (and Bronco overall) is nice and straight. My stock mounts are nice and straight. The clearance is way close and there isn't much room on the other side even if the mounts were moved over. The RD radiator is as big a core width wise as will fit in there per their own description. You also have to trim your stock mounts when installing so time for you or $$ spent at the shop to install. The Duff radiator is the same price or a little cheaper and comes with the mounts. I forget who makes the Duff I think AFCO. I remember it is a vendor with a good rep. Also the Duff trans cooler appears to be on the pass side where the stock lines go vs the RD which has the cooler on teh drivers side and requires you to make up some lines. If I was to do it over I would buy the DUFF radiator.

http://www.duffTUFF.com/5_0EFI_Conversion_Aluminum_Radiator_1966_77_Bronco_p/3112.htm

 

[kholding]

Wow, that is close. Good info!

 

[MarsChariot]

fetorino, I just looked at mine and it is close but still has between 1/8 and 1/4 inch clearance, or at least twice what you have using the stock mounts. Looks like a slightly smaller frame separation would definitely cause that. Entirely within manufacturing tolerances too, I suspect. A body lift of 1 inch or more may help. It did on mine.

 

[bsquared]

May not help your application, but my fit was after a complete swap from I-6 to 5.0L, w/ serpentine installed. Since the I-6 already had supports along the sides and tanks on top and bottom, I kept that setup and ordered a Champion 3 core meant to fit a 1970 Mustang. This kept the tanks on top and bottom and outlet and return on the correct sides for the Explorer setup. I used a cutoff wheel to remove the vertical mounts and reset them with the flanges pointing outward. Then a few trips to the auto parts store to find hoses that had the right bends and it went in pretty well. Adding the 2" body lift probably helped.

Might give you some other ideas on mounting. Cheers, B2

 

[Viperwolf1]

So everyones experience with parts is different. My core support (and Bronco overall) is nice and straight. My stock mounts are nice and straight. The clearance is way close and there isn't much room on the other side even if the mounts were moved over. The RD radiator is as big a core width wise as will fit in there per their own description. You also have to trim your stock mounts when installing so time for you or $$ spent at the shop to install. The Duff radiator is the same price or a little cheaper and comes with the mounts. I forget who makes the Duff I think AFCO. I remember it is a vendor with a good rep. Also the Duff trans cooler appears to be on the pass side where the stock lines go vs the RD which has the cooler on teh drivers side and requires you to make up some lines. If I was to do it over I would buy the DUFF radiator.

That is the first radiator I've seen with the trans heat exchanger on the hot side. It won't do much of anything to cool a trans like that.

 

[fetorino]

fetorino, I just looked at mine and it is close but still has between 1/8 and 1/4 inch clearance, or at least twice what you have using the stock mounts. Looks like a slightly smaller frame separation would definitely cause that. Entirely within manufacturing tolerances too, I suspect. A body lift of 1 inch or more may help. It did on mine.

Unfortunately I already have a 1" lift.

 

[kholding]

So Ron Davis seems like the way to go?

 

[z70what]

i just got my Ron Davis Radiator in the mail. I'm running 351W, Explorer Serpentine Setup, and Ford EFI. I have all parts lying on the bench, and will begin the install as soon as my EFI harness arrives from RJI... it's been on back order for a month now. The Ron Davis radiator is a SWEET looking radiator.


Luke