Radiator Qs

[xpanmanx]

Greetings!

I have a few questions about replacing the radiator in my Expy.

1> Do lower hoses exist which use traditional band clamps?
2> What is the best way to capture the coolant and transmission fluid prior to disconnecting the upper/lower hoses and tranny lines?
3> I've seen only a 1-core radiator for the 4.6L. Can I use the 5.4L radiator, and will all the transmission fittings line up?
4> Any suggestions about where to buy a new radiator?

The radiator is venting coolant where one of the aluminum core tubes meets the plastic tank, on the passenger side, near the upper radiator hose.

Around town, the leak is manageable with daily top-offs. On the highway, however, it takes maybe two dozen miles, and coolant begins to pool up on the passenger floorboard...I guess it's blowing out of the engine compartment and landing there. Stop-Leak hasn't worked.

Mine is a 2000 Expedition XLT 4x4 4.6L 6-code. I often pull a 6K# tandem-axle cargo trailer. 10+ years ago, I installed the OEM trailer wiring kit, a Factory Tech valve body, changed to synthetic fluids all around, installed underdrive pulleys and replaced the clutch fan+shroud with a Flex-A-Lite model 270.

THANK YOU!

 

[Bowesmobile]

Hey check out the link in my sig under electric fan install. I replaced my radiator with a dual core unit. Much nicer towing now. Also I added an electric fan to boot. Wired everything and it works like factory.

 

[96mustangV6]

Pooling up on passenger floor board sounds like a heater core????

 

[toms89]

Pooling up on passenger floor board sounds like a heater core????

My thoughts as well. Leaky heater core as well as radiator kinda sucks if that's the case.

 

[Yudaman]

Yeah, heater core is the only thing to cause a leakage inside the cab. That is pretty bad news! I would personally like to b*tch slap the engineer that decided to build the entire dash assy around the heater core!

 

[stamp11127]

Check Rock Auto for the radiator. I bought a Spectra Brand from them, can use either type of clamping mechanism on the lower hose. I went with the tried and true band clamp. You can use the regular replacement hose after removing the joke quick connect clamp.

We use a large catch all for capturing coolant. Similar to the bottom of a 35 gallon plastic barrel that has been cut off.

The dual core radiators will fit in the same location as the single cores.

I recommend using an exterior trans cooler if yours doesn't already have one. That way there isn't the possibility of trans fluid and coolant mixing in the future.

 

[xpanmanx]

Pooling up on passenger floor board sounds like a heater core????

Sorry! D'oh! Passenger "running board!"

I would burn the truck if it were the heater core. Or bypass the heaters and buy some long johns and a lifetime supply of Fog-X.

 

[xpanmanx]

Check Rock Auto for the radiator. I bought a Spectra Brand from them, can use either type of clamping mechanism on the lower hose. I went with the tried and true band clamp. You can use the regular replacement hose after removing the joke quick connect clamp.

We use a large catch all for capturing coolant. Similar to the bottom of a 35 gallon plastic barrel that has been cut off.

The dual core radiators will fit in the same location as the single cores.

I recommend using an exterior trans cooler if yours doesn't already have one. That way there isn't the possibility of trans fluid and coolant mixing in the future.

Thanks! Especially for the advice about the lower hose.

Just to be certain, the dual-core rads will fit on the same brackets? On a 2000 model?

My truck has the OEM trailer package with external trans cooler. I added a temp gauge and started running synthetic fluid in 2003.

I'd have measured the radiator core long ago (to determine single-core vs. dual core), but the weather's been good, and I've been riding my cruiser to work and on errands, and by the time I get home at night I forget I own an Expy LOL. Definitely going to get back on this repair project after the weekend.

 

[xpanmanx]

Hey check out the link in my sig under electric fan install. I replaced my radiator with a dual core unit. Much nicer towing now. Also I added an electric fan to boot. Wired everything and it works like factory.

That is an AWESOME mod. Congratulations. I have a feeling your experience with the tranny fittings is going to prove invaluable.

I simply trigger my FAL 270 off the AC compressor. I ditched the FAL control module because it kept falling apart. I went through two in 18 months. I eventually rigged up Bosch relay and everything's been peachy.

The simple AC compressor control has been in place for 8.5 years. It's only ever been a problem when idling too long without the AC turned on, in 90-degree-plus weather. But I'm nearly always running the AC above 80 because I'm a wimp like that.

 

[stamp11127]

Yep, I have a rad for the 5.4 in my 4.6 bay. Same fan and shroud.
It was a "drop in".

The AH that designed the quick connect lower hose is probably the same one that was involved with the heater core...