ford 5000 radiator removal

[Chuck Mi]

Are there 2 bolts holding the radiator in place from under the rad.? If so any ideas as to how the get at them? Everything else has been removed but the rad. seems to be secured at the bottom corners. Thanks.

 

[rotten robert]

Yep there are two bolts and they are'nt easy to get to. Think they take a 5/8 or 11/16 wrench. Haven't done one in a couple years.

 

[Fordfarmer]

Yep, gotta go up from the bottom. Need a long extension on your ratchet, and I think a 5/8" socket. There are holes in the front bolster to get at them.

 

[Chuck Mi]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your help and knowledge. I'll head out to the barn with an extension and those sockets.

 

[RodinNS]

There's two carriage bolts that go down into the bolster and you need to access the nuts from the bottom. If you find that the bolts turn your only practical option is to torch the nuts off the bolts...

Rod

 

[Fordfarmer]

True, but I've found every '65-up Ford I've had to take the radiator off of had enough grease/oil/crud in there to keep the bolts from rusting, and they've all come out OK. (so far...knock on wood!)

 

[RodinNS]

Yes. I've found the same thing... but had one or two that were 'close calls'.

Rod

 

[souNdguy]

the close calls I've seen were the previous booger mechanic used bad cariage bolts with rounded corners on the shank.. as cheap as they are.. it amazes me why people reuse rounded bolts, nuts, drain plugs and pipe plugs... then leaves it for the next poor fool to deal with..

soundguy

 

[RodinNS]

Ones I've had were original. Some rust more than others...

Rod

 

[Ultradog MN]

If the 5000 rad/bolster configuration is like the 4000 it would be easier to slide a Sawzall blade between the rad and bolster and cut the bolts off.
Underneath in those holes in the bolster is not an easy place to get a torch.

 

[souNdguy]

ditto that. must be chinese hardware.. you see an oem nut or bolt last 50 ys.. then repalce it with a 'bulk' part which is likely overseas origin.. and in 3-5 ys it's rusty and eroding.

reminds me of the water pump I just chenged on my 98 dodge ram yesterday.. changed the oem one in 05 with a car quest one.

seal went 2 days ago and bearing was growling. pulled it off and the metal inside behind the impellor was so pitted.. i thought a bearing ball had come out and was circulation.. but no.. it was just cheap cast eroded all to heck behind the impellor.. must have been bypassing like crazy..

soundguy