Mustang: 1. Me: 0

"V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!" (v8demon)
11/08/2016 at 01:54 • Filed to: None

Getting this radiator and trans cooler in an S197 is the worst radiator swap I’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with.

The core is more than twice as thick as the stocker. Made for a REEEEAAAAL fun time snaking it in with the transmission cooler attached (you have to do it this way). Trans cooler is larger as well, same thickness as stock though.

Did I mention using the stock hardware is out of the question in some places? Did I mention grinding was involved on the mounting tabs to get the fan to fit properly? How about the fact this is a Ford Racing radiator designed for this vehicle?

I’m still not done because grinding and 2 trips to Home Depot....I’ll finish tomorrow. Im in the home stretch, but need sleep.

Very frustrating.... Had to vent.

‘85 Buick Riviera that was recently on eBay in the EXACT color scheme I want for your time.

Goodnight.

DISCUSSION (8)

Birddog > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/08/2016 at 02:06

I would rock that Riv in a heartbeat!

The rest just sounds like a fun day in the shop.

pip bip - choose Corrour > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/08/2016 at 02:14

sounds like a fun job!

;)

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/08/2016 at 13:19

As an ex-s197 owner: HAHAHAHAHAHAA YUP

Fuck, even an OEM replacement stock-sized rad is a bitch and a half to swap on those things. Even more fun when you aren’t swapping the trans cooler so you have to juggle it around while trying to get the rad in and out... just fuck that car. Never before have I seen so much shitty engineering in one automobile.

LongbowMkII > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/08/2016 at 13:47

certainly a radiator swap would be simpler on that Cougar.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > LongbowMkII
11/08/2016 at 14:58

It was. I have a large brass/copper 3 row in that car. Took all of about 2 hours.

V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me! > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
11/08/2016 at 15:01

Meh. Suspension parts are easier. Alternator is easier. Everything forward of the pulleys on front of the motor can jump in a lake. If I ever have to pull the A/C condenser I may take the nose off the car....

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/08/2016 at 16:38

I had a 2005 V6. The radiator was stupid, the coolant neck was stupid, the timing chains are unbelievably stupid, the exhaust is horrid, the transmission... is actually one of the best automatics I’ve ever used, so good job. The convertible mechanism has some super dumb achilles heels, the external door handle design is bumblefucked. I could go into greater details but regardless of me having the “wrong” mustang they’re still poor engineering choices made by a company that I respect a lot less as a result.

MPA > V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!
11/08/2016 at 16:55

I have to install a radiator on my FiST after the winter (for track day cooling issues), and I have to rip the entire front end of the car apart - bumper, crash beam, rad and a/c condenser (with the a/c lines still connected, I might add). Once the Crash beam/rad/condenser separate from the rest of the car, then you can seperate them, and replace the radiator.