Gunpilot

Well the car runs with the new heads, but I seem to have punctured the radiator when moving it forward and installing puller fans.

Anyone find a suitable replacement that is the same dimensions as the one in Martin's kit? Or have one for sale?

Thanks.

MRM331

I've gone through two on the current car. They seem to be a bit fragile. Have you looked into getting it patched?

The issue with generic radiators at Summit or Jegs is not the dimensions, rather its finding one without a filler at the top. You can get one of those and have the neck cut off and welded but it will most likely be more expensive than having hte one you have patched.

Martin will sell you a new one if you need it.

-Jason

charchri4

I know the hoses are not right for a Ford but I think this is about the biggest possible radiator you can fit in an NA. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gri-8-00009-ls

As I understand it it's designed to fit a 68 to 72 Chevelle but if you bend the flaps forward and trim the cross bar it works great in the Miata.


Maybe there is one that is about the same size with the hoses right for the Ford.
Griffin Universal Fit Performance Radiators for, ,

It would be tight to go 19 tall though.

MRM331

I would go with that one if I were doing an LSx swap but for a Ford the outlet needs to be on the other side. The price is not far off what Martin charged me for a replacement of his Sutana kit radiator a year or so ago.

-Jason

Gunpilot

Yeah, this was all my own fault. That's what hurts so much. I assumed the aluminum trim around the outside of the weld was not a water channel and drilled into it to secure the fans. Boy was I surprised when I filled it up! I removed it last night and used a 3M dual stage epoxy that I have used on several projects to try and "weld" over the holes. This stuff hardens better than JB Weld and has better adhesion. Filled it up this morning and seems to hold. I will keep an eye on it and see if it holds under heat and pressure. Time to try and find a better way to mount the fans.

Gator Bait

That epoxy may hold, but you'd been better off having it pro repaired at a radiator shop. I've had several AL radiators repaired due to stone hits and one due to a mount getting torn in an accident. The guy I used fixed em right up and only cost me $20, plus he made sure it passed a pressure test.

rowen210

I know this is a three month old thread but I think adding my 2¢ is better than making a new thread.
I was thinking of purchasing this one for my Ford diy...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gr...41-x/overview/
The dementions look right. Does it have the cooling power for a 5.0?

charchri4

Did you measure between the frame rails? I think 27.5 will fit but that would be the max for sure. 15.5 is comfortable but you can go another 3" taller and still fit in there.

Do they make the same thing in a double pass by chance? If so I'd go for that for sure.

5.0MX5

That's the radiator I'm running. If I had a do-over I'd go with the GRI-1-26222-X, it's 26"x19" and would have been a much better fit in my car. The one you referenced, GRI-1-26241-X is advertised at 27.5 inches wide, mine was 27.75" wide and a real bear to install due to being a hair to wide. I had to make much use of a BHF to clearance the frame so it'd fit.

The 26241 does cool great, but others have had good luck with the 26222-X and it'd be a much better fit I do believe.

Good Luck, RR

rowen210

With the factory radiator tabs removed I measured the space to be 27.5 × 14.5. I could install with a slight angle to fit a 16 or maybe 17 inch radiator but 19 inches seems like a stretch. I would be afraid to have that much hanging out of the bottom unprotected.

tbone heller

The story of my life.

charchri4

Not at all. I managed not to bother it plowing up a corn field!



I believe it when 5.0 says 27.5 is hard to work with. Mine is 26.24 wide and there was just enough room on each side to slip it in and out easy. Speaking as a person that started with a smaller radiator and moved to the biggest one I could find I would go big now.

This is what 26 1/4 x 18 5/8 x 3 looks like.










Note the oil pan is lower...






19 would still not be the lowest point of the car and yes my car is the most photographed car on the planet!

MRM331

Jim, totally off-topic but what size tires are you running?

charchri4

255-40/17s on 17x10 +20.