Original 3fe Radiator is about to puke

[rex in bama]

whole cooling system has been refreshed save for one item - and that is about to change. Smelled a bit of coolant on my last milk run. Sure enough, after 29 years (only Toyota) the plastic tank looks like it is nearing surrender. Based upon what I’m seeing online it’s csf or Ron Davis (yikes on the latter). Please post if any 3fe owners are finding another quality source. Thanks!

 

[Stoshu]

I don't believe that is the original radiator. OEM 3FE radiators had brass cores and tanks, not plastic. The 1FZ's had plastic tanks and aluminum cores.

A few years back, my 91 needed a radiator. The Spectra Premium CU1469 was the only one out there that was comparable in construction materials to OEM. Been in the truck for 4+ years and still doing fine, even after an LS swap. Think I paid around $300 for it?

 

[jonheld]

I don't believe that is the original radiator. OEM 3FE radiators had brass cores and tanks, not plastic.

That's incorrect. The OEM 3FE radiators had plastic tanks.

http://www.sdsysdesign.com/TLC/images/OBA/York.jpg

 

[Marco Lau]

I just put in a Liland radiator and got it running this weekend. The Ron Davis i got for over 4 yrs got destroyed on the trail due to my stupidity. Here is a pic of it. Ron Davis is backordered for 2 months right now. So far the temp stays between 187-190 around town.

 

[rex in bama]

That's incorrect. The OEM 3FE radiators had plastic tanks.

http://www.sdsysdesign.com/TLC/images/OBA/York.jpg

Yep, that’s the one! Confident it’s original - truck only has 94k on it, and it’s the same radiator I had on on my 91 back in the day

 

[Stoshu]

That's incorrect. The OEM 3FE radiators had plastic tanks.

http://www.sdsysdesign.com/TLC/images/OBA/York.jpg

Learn something new every day. Thanks for pointing that out Jon. I swore that the disconitnued Mr. T 3FE radiator was brass/brass, but my memory isn't great anymore.

 

[OGBeno]

Learn something new every day. Thanks for pointing that out Jon. I swore that the disconitnued Mr. T 3FE radiator was brass/brass, but my memory isn't great anymore.

It was for the 3F-E in the FJ62.

Incremental weight savings gains were implemented at the supplier level starting in 1990.

 

[rex in bama]

Went with a CSF - will report back if I have issues.

 

[Marco Lau]

Went with a CSF - will report back if I have issues.

View attachment 2867763

good luck! CSF didnt work out well for my 3FE.