Time for new radiator

[Smokestacklightnin]

My car still has the original radiator. Had it repaired about 8yrs ago, now it's starting to leak again. Going to go ahead and replace it, just a couple of questions. Have looked at oreilly and autozone online an it appears the replacements are aluminum core and plastic construction. Are copper core and metal construction made anymore? Also i assume only the police models had heavy duty cooling? Any suggestions on a replacement would be helpful.

[1990LTD]

I bought the cheapest one RockAuto had listed for my car and it's aluminum w/ plastic. It's been holding up fine...I don't imagine you get down to -30 in Texas but if you did it would hold up just fine mine has been fine in the cold.

[GM_Guy]

These days, I prefer the aluminum/plastic rads, I even put one in my '73 Nova (that one actually swayed me to the al/plastic ones). Many of the commonly available brass rads are flimsy and made of thinner material and just don't hold up near as well as they once did. If you can get your hands on a Visteon al/plastic rad, you'll be happy with it. Good construction, everything in the right place, decent materials.

Alex.

[sly]

my 88 got a direct swap aluminum core/plastic tank. works like a champ. my Mark got a dual core all aluminum with electric fans added on as well. works like a champ. The direct swap I got from rock auto. I think for the older models, rock auto actually has the copper core option as well.

[gabegt90]

yeah the common stock replacement # is cu227

[87gtVIC]

If you want a three row rad search for 1985 351 Crown Vic radiators.

[1980c10]

I have a stock replacment from autozone in mine. I works great, hardly ever even have to turn my fan on.

[mitymerc]

I recently had to rpl the Advance Auto rad in the CP.
It had been about 8 yrs, couldn't find the reciept, Adv Auto records are purged every few years (how convenient for them).
Moral of story, make a copy of the receipt & don't lose it!

[Piece-it pete]

If I had to replace mine I'd put the 3 row copper in there, no question imo.

Copies X2! I make copies of EVERYTHING from the major chains, anything on that thermal paper, that conveniently fades - fast.

Pete

[87gtVIC]

Yes those receipts fade fast.

[P72Ford]

If I had to replace the radiator...

I'd measure the old one/ mounting area, and buy a universal, and make it fit. There are some pretty nice, affordable all aluminum multi-row units out there.

[Smokestacklightnin]

Replaced the radiator this afternoon. Got the autozone replacement about $90. wasnt an exact fit but made it work. It was 2 inches shorter on the width than the original. Had to modify the fan shroud and move one of the supports over, other than that it everything fit like it should. top radiator hose is a little longer than needed, but its not pinched or kinked. Everything checked out good after a short drive.