Radiators....old topic and another view (1 Viewer)

[scoutingranch]

Welp, I am considering buying a new radiator for the '68 40 (stock). Mine could be restored but at what cost?
And, it seems like radiator repair shops are vaporizing as I write. In my investigations, the issue is all over the map with opinions on the best radiators, we all know how that goes.

I could buy a cheap aluminum one, they come in two, three and four row and I read complaints or glowing reviews so that leads to a summation of schizophrenia on that topic.
A copper/brass (always my personal fav) and they can be rebuilt if there will be a shop left to do it and where are they made? The last copper/brass bought new for a '70 Boss 302 was mind boggling in that when rotated or shaken, the builder left so much solder inside it sounded like a bunch of B.B's
So that was bust.

And lastly, a Ron Davis aluminum radiator. I place the Davis in a different column than the cheap aluminum or the pricier copper/brass. The Davis company is in the Arizona desert so who knows heat better than those guys. They look at radiator design in the different way. Less rows with larger tubes, therefore increasing flow. But their products come at a price.

There it is, what now..........if you folks have nothing to do I would like a few thoughts.

 

[FF LC FREAK]

OEM? I bought a new Toyota radiator a couple of years ago from @beno for a great price. Very happy with it. It is now cooling a 5.3 with no problems.

 

[cult45]

Yep, OEM. If not then brass/copper. Leave the alloy for the tarmac. Too brittle.

 

[scoutingranch]

Ohhh, that would be peachy if OEM is still available.

 

[73FJ40]

, that would be peachy if OEM is still available.

Are you sure they aren't?

 

[S4Cruiser]

Piggy backing on the OPs question...will the oem version that’s still available plug and play with my ‘67 (stock but with a F145 water pump and plastic fan). I have the original that’s been serviced but new oem can’t be beat if it fits.

 

[cbmontgo]

OEM if available, or find an old school radiator shop to recore. I went through this recently and learned some valuable lessons.

Avoid Chinese aluminum radiators.

 

[DesertFJ40]

Discontinued Radiator Part numbers
Old type 3-core radiators

(03/1969 - 11/1971)
16400-60011

(11/1971 - 01/1975)
16400-60012


New type 4-core radiator

(01/1975 - 07/1980)
16400-61020


Part number above, for the 4-core radiator, is superseded by the following, which is still apparently available, through Toyota, brand new:

(01/1975 - 07/1980)
16400-49356

 

[Racer65]

I will throw in a caveat regarding the OEM radiator. Yes, it is still available, and you can pick one up from the dealer or an online source. However, I will caution that Toyota's packing for the radiator sucks. There is an 80+% chance you will receive a radiator with some dent or damage. On top of that, if you order online, there is a 50+% chance the seller does not know how to properly pack it for shipping.

As a vendor that carries the OEM radiator, I have a contact who hand picks radiators from the dealership network as soon as it arrives in a California warehouse. I can tell you that at this time, there is no perfect one in the inventory. I have a dozen on reserve for the next incoming shipment, subject to inspection. If you're not looking for perfection, I can get you the best one available now.

 

[scoutingranch]

Remember all this is a '68 and like S4Cruisers '67 it must bolt right in as I'm not part of the Sawzall crowd.
Thank you Mr. Racer65 and DesertFJ40. Good info. Also please advise as to fitment for the early 40's.
Regards

 

[S4Cruiser]

Remember all this is a '68 and like S4Cruisers '67 it must bolt right in as I'm not part of the Sawzall crowd.
Thank you Mr. Racer65 and DesertFJ40. Good info. Also please advise as to fitment for the early 40's.
Regards

I'm edumacatingly guessing while the 4 cor is slightly thicker it should bolt in fine. If no one can confirm, I can measure the differences in the OEM 3 core from my '67 to the current Toyota 4 core in my grey truck.

 

[pb4ugo]

SOR sells an aftermarket replacement brass 4 core radiator for the fJ40. The one they offer fits 1958 to 1979. This info would allow me to speculate that an OEM Toyota rad would fit most, if not all years up to 1979.

 

[firestopper]

OEM? I bought a new Toyota radiator a couple of years ago from @beno for a great price. Very happy with it. It is now cooling a 5.3 with no problems.

I purchased the same from beno. Perfect fit and real affordable.

 

[Warloc]

Yup, 4 core stock Toyota radiator is the only way to go IMO. Don’t forget that you will need a later year radiator brace, like 78 I think. It’s the same year as the new 4 core radiator you need. Keeps my newly built 350 SBC chilled in So Cal. EBay on the brace for me. I also made some brackets that allowed me to move the radiator closer to engine and lower by a couple of inches. Oh I’m using a stock shroud which really made a huge difference in radiator keeping things cool at slow speeds when wheeling. Can add pics later let me know.

 

[73FJ40]

Remember all this is a '68 and like S4Cruisers '67 it must bolt right in as I'm not part of the Sawzall crowd.
Thank you Mr. Racer65 and DesertFJ40. Good info. Also please advise as to fitment for the early 40's.
Regards

I got a four core from Beno for my '73 FJ40. The tanks and the tube sheet for the core are the same size as the three core, there is room in the three core for another row of tubes.

There were extra holes in the flanges for later models. The only difference I saw was that my original had some 'ears' to hold the overflow line to the passenger side of the radiator mounting flange, to direct the overflow coolant to the ground. Yeah, "old school".

The neat thing about the new one was it came with a new drain pipe and a new radiator cap. Extra value! (if that hasn't changed in a few years.

I agree with Racer, the packaging wasn't too good. The drain pipe slipped out of it's cardboard cover and scratched and dented some of the fins.

 

[Racer65]

We just finished inspecting 2 dozen units. Will have 4 units come in next week. The rest all have some sort of damage. Not just talking about minor fin damage; many have dented header tanks. This is at the Toyota warehouse, before it ever reaches any dealership. Our rep has reported this issue to Toyota many times. Maybe one day they will do something about it.

 

[Coolerman]

Would it be possible to get one of the dented but still usable radiators at a good discount?
I will be needing one for my 2/1971 shortly... Tired of soldering up the pin holes every year.

 

[65swb45]

Would it be possible to get one of the dented but still usable radiators at a good discount?
I will be needing one for my 2/1971 shortly... Tired of soldering up the pin holes every year.

I have one available. $200. And I need to call you for an estimate today. I have a new customer with a frame off ‘78 that need his wiring harness cleaned up before I hang it.

 

[65swb45]

I have one available. $200. And I need to call you for an estimate today. I have a new customer with a frame off ‘78 that need his wiring harness cleaned up before I hang it.

Can’t find your ph#! D’oh.