Ford Thunderbird aluminum radiators

[FoxyRoxy]

I am wanting to replace original radiator with an aluminum one but all I can find for $160 is for 64-67 models. The only one on ebay for a 63 is $250. Will the $160 one fit? it looks like it will.

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[biddle]

Ford Thunderbird Full Aluminum Performance Cooling Radiators. Please double check that the part fits your model/engine. Feel free to post replies with your installation photos/instructions below.

1955-1956-1957 Ford Thunderbird Y-Block Aluminum 3 Row Performance Cooling Radiator- Ebay Link



1958-1959 Ford Thunderbird Frostbite Aircraft Aluminum Radiator 3 Row- Ebay Link


1960-1961-1962 Ford Thunderbird Ebay Link
(please reply below if you find others)


1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 Ford Thunderbird- Ebay Link
Note: 1961-1963 & 1964-1966 had different fan guards, but this will fit with both.


For 1964 1965 1966 Ford Thunderbird Full Aluminum Performance Cooling Radiator- Ebay Link


1967-1968 4 ROW Aluminum Radiator for 1967-1968 Ford Thunderbird Ebay Link


1969 Ford Thunderbird Aluminum 8 Rows Radiator Transmission Oil Cooler & 7" Cooling Fan Kit Universal Ebay Link


1972-1973-1974-1975-1976-1977-1978-1979 Ford Thunderbird 3 Row Aluminum Radiator- Ebay Link


1980-1981-1982-1983-1984-1985-1986-1987-1988 Ford Thunderbird Radiator - Ebay Link


1994-1995-1996-1997 Ford Thunderbird Radiator- Ebay Link for 3.8 V6 // Ebay Link for 4.6 V8



2002 Ford Thunderbird Radiator - Ebay Link
Hydraulic Cooling fan which was only in 2002- Ebay Link

2003-2004-2005 Ford Thunderbird Radiator- Ebay Link


If you need a radiator sticker decal for the 2002-2005 check out this post- https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...engine-radicator-fan-decals.11711/#post-71853

 

[biddle]

Looks can be deceiving. If it fits other models, I bet they would note it, because they would sell more. This one specifically says "Note: 1961-1963 & 1964-1966 had different fan guards, but this will fit with both." They've also sold over 179 of them. If it were me, I would buy that one. even though it's a little more. Contact the seller of the other two directly and ask about fitment.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[racermainer]

looking to replace the radiator on my thunderbird. i was looking to upgrade to a full aluminum one to remove the issue of a weak plastic under high heat. but they only seem to make them for the 4.6L, i have the 3,8L so my question is, are the radiators interchangeable throughout both engines or would i need to find something else for the v6? if anybody knows please let me know!! thnk you!!

 

[biddle]

remove the issue of a weak plastic

This is a common misconception. The "plastic" being weak. The reality is, these radiators typically outlast aluminum and are more resistant to cracking and are not subject to corrosion. Because of the harsh operating conditions, the radiator tanks are made from glass-reinforced nylon, a plastic that features a high-softening point. The high-softening-point nylon plastic is what helps the plastic radiator tank withstand the pressure and temperatures involved.

Our OEM Jeep radiator lasted 22 years. Folks that replace with Aluminum report failure after a few short years or even months.

With that said there are links above for the V6- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?LH_...teid=0&campid=5338236430&toolid=20008&mkevt=1

 

[Mark 1955]

So I belive a 55 has a air cooled transmission. I need to get a new radiator for my bird. If I buy the one with transmission cooler lines can I cool my transmission or would I need to replace the transmission. I belive in 56 they put a cooler in for the transmission.

 

[doug7740]

On 1955 and early 1956 Thunderbirds, with a Ford-O-Matic transmission, the torque converter is air cooled. The air enters the converter housing through a removable duct on the left side of the housing. A screen in the inlet duct filters out gravel and road dirt, and can be removed for cleaning and inspection. Fins on the outside of the impeller housing draw air into the converter housing. A baffle directs the air over the entire converted surface. The air is exhausted through an outlet on the side of the converter housing.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

Inside the Converter Housing
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Outside the Converter Housing

​

 

[JRMedved]

I noted a minor leak in the passenger-side (plastic) inlet tank on the radiator. So, it's time to replace it!

I see that the OEM radiator (H2MZ-8005-AA) is NLA from Ford; only aftermarket units available. I'd prefer a fully-aluminum radiator with tig-welded aluminum tanks. However, the only ones I am finding are on ebay and Amazon

Thought I'd ask the group if you have replaced your '03-'05 radiator with an aftermarket unit, and which brand you went with, and your experience with it. If anyone has used one of these fully-aluminum radiators from ebay/Amazon, I'd definitely like to hear your feedback.

 

[DougS]

I am looking at a radiator from Stillwell Ford on E-bay- has anyone had experience with this seller or generally buying parts on E-Bay ?

 

[biddle]

I am looking at a radiator from Stillwell Ford on E-bay- has anyone had experience with this seller or generally buying parts on E-Bay ?

All sellers on Ebay have ratings and reviews/feedback. Read them. Ebay is a 30 billion dollar company with buyer protection, so there is no real reason for concern when buying on Ebay.

 

[Totally Burgundy]

I've been looking to upgrade my radiator setup from the 17" to the 19", but apparently none of the suppliers have them anymore?
Do you still have thus setup available, or did you finally sell it off?
Frank

 

[jrs.gordon22]

I recently purchased a 63, and while there doesn’t seem to be an issue with the current radiator. I was just curious for future, as to the try advantage/disadvantage on these birds??

I’m about to replace my alternator and thinking if I should do a change of radiator while I have it apart?

 

[Jim B.]

On my was to start the front suspension rebuild at my buddy’s garage with a light, the radiator decided it had had enough after 71 years on the road. I want to install a new aluminum radiator with electric fans but will probably forgo the fans for now. In researching I have found 2, 3, 4 core fans and sales pitches for which is better. I’m just curious what y’all have found that works the best. I’d like to bring the temp down just a little bit.
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Tom Alpers]

Based on my personal experience and reading quite a bit of stuff.... Get a two row aluminum radiator that uses 1" tubes. There is a tradeoff between how many rows and how much airflow restriction the radiator has. To cool it has to have both "surface area of tubes" and it has to have airflow. The best balance seems to be the 2 rows of 1" tubes. When you add more rows you reduce airflow... you pay more and perhaps get the same or less cooling. Here is a source many of us have used and it has fit perfectly and worked well. I replaced a nearly new HD 4 row copper/brass radiator with the aluminum radiator in the attached picture and it dropped the running temperature another 3 to 5 degrees. CASCO tested both brass and aluminum and overall their results said to get the aluminum as best for both cooling and cost.

Ebay Link- https://www.ebay.com/itm/2915315962...pid=5338236430&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[Tom Alpers]

PS. If you don't like the aluminum look, paint it black. Light coat on the fins, don't want to put a heavy coat as it might reduce heat transfer but I suspect there may be a good study to be done in that regard as black bodies radiate heat better...

 

[doug7740]

Since my radiator had the original tag on the top tank, I had the brass tanks removed and had the shop replace the core.



The radiator tag shows the engineering number AH-8005-B; the manufacturer (MC) McCord Radiator Company; L54 is the date code; L is the 12th month of 1954. Since the production date of my Thunderbird was December 20, 1954, this was the original radiator.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue