1 Row or 2 Row Radiator?

[Paul39]

I recently bought my 4th Festiva, 1989 4 speed with air. It was leaking along the top tank, so I crimped it all around and it leaked worse.

Plastic tank is cracked. I found the suggested seller and also found places that sell 2 row radiators. I have driven my 1988 4 speed with air conditioning to Raleigh, NC in summer with air going full blast and had no problem with overheating.

Any point in buying a 2 row radiator?

Paul

[zoom zoom]

When you get into aftermarket radiators you have to make your own hoses because the barbs don't usually line up. I'm sure there's something to the dual core radiators for the hondas, better cooling and stuff, but if the hose barbs do come in the same spot they're probably different sizes too. The fan also needs mounted. Just something to think about..

[TominMO]

It may be that the only rads they are making now for the Festys are two-row ones. A matter of economy; not wanting to build two different radiators for an increasingly-rare car, when the two-row will do for all applications.

[getnpsi]

A lot of those civic "racing" radiators come with a fan and shroud as a kit for pretty low price. Is there a how to on this on here? I imagine its pretty straightforward if you do not have a/c, make it however you want. With a condensor and lines poking out no matter how close you think it all tucks in the core support that has to be considered.

[kingstonpygmies]

Haven't seen or heard of a DIY on this. Give it a shot and take lots of pictures. Sounds interesting. I'm about Tod do some research

Sent from Kingston Ga from my hillbilly handheld

[Paul39]

Thios place was suggested by someone here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-1-Row-w-o-EOC-w-TOC-Replacement-Radiator-For-1-3-L4-GAS-/400320605923?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AFord|Model%3AFestiva&hash=item5d34f7aee3&vxp=mtr

Photo sure looks like what I took out, price is less than half of what O'Rillies, and Autozone want.

I did not mention in my original post that the Festiva with air had a single row radiator.

Swapping radiator is easy, unplug fan, move wires to side, remove hoses, remove 4 bolt on top mounts, lift out.

Paul

[jason_]

More radiator sheds more heat. Size and core.
I just swapped in an automatic radiator in my manual aspire for that specific reason.

Nothing wrong to not need it and have it (winter) then to need it and not have it (summer).

Worth my $25 for this junkyard pull. Less fin whacks too.

Then again I'm getting lazy, just rebuilt engine, CR so high it'll occasionally ping on 93 teasing throttle around 4500rpm, I figured I try and shed a few more btus for a few dollars then chase this block down again with wrenches.....


Sent from my rooted HTC Supersonic using Tapatalk 2 Pro

[drddan]

I bought a radiator off of ebay from "classic radiator" Was like $60 deliverd to my door. Festy replacement. It was an auto radiator. Just wont use the tranny lines. That is all they make now, like Tom said.
The new rad increased my heat temp and I have a nice WARM drive to work in winter now!

[jawbraeka]

i ended up getting the two core auto one in the case that i could actually utilize the 2nd core as a 2nd water core and not for a transmission... also to allow me to get the temp up in the car and also remove more heat from the engine.

[burnt_toast]

I blew the radiator and head gasket in my Festiva trying to climb out of Arizona into Utah several years back. I would personally replace with a 2-row for my own needs. Climbing hill are a big deal for me where I live; full throttle, 4th gear, and 100 degrees out. I'd also want an all aluminum job if I could find one.
For my Dodge van I went with Radiators4Less on ebay and actually got a THREE row (stock is 1-row) all aluminum job and holy crap does that thing work great. For the Festy I have no personal experience with a 2-row but I certainly would pay the extra money for a 2-row if/when the need arises.
-toast

[getnpsi]

On ebay, some of the civic all aluminum radiators come with a fan. For about 25 bucks more you can get the buy it now with the upper/lower silicone hose for the honda which looks to be a ridiculous long lower rad hose. We can cut those to fit and perhaps get away with no plugging and welding. I have a leak on my car as we speak. I add about 6oz daily

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

I'm resurrecting this thread from July 2013. I searched but don't find any later discussion of radiators.

I need a new radiator for this car:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?55369-Ford-Festiva-LX-1989-1100-(Downtown-San-Diego)

which I bought last weekend in San Diego and left with a mechanic to prep for an ultimate 20-hour drive home to Seattle.

I called Napa, O'Reilly, and AutoZone near the mechanic. All can get what sounds like 2-row radiators (same p/n for manual as automatic) for $126 to $149 within a few days.

The eBay thread referenced above is long gone.

I read above that some aftermarket radiators require fitting custom hoses ... definitely something I don't want!

Where are members buying new radiators these days? Any 1-row ones for us manual drivers? Are they straightforward plug-n-play?

I also have several Festies (all manuals) where the "knobs" on the top of the radiator that fit into holes in the mounting brackets have long since broken off and the radiator is just sitting there aligned by only the lower mounts. I therefore should be buying several radiators now.

[Fordverde]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/88-90-Ford-Festiva-A-T-Radiator-View-Chart-/231018383397?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989%7CMake%3AFord%7CModel%3AFestiva%7CSubmodel%3AL%7CEngine+-+Liter_Display%3A1.3L&hash=item35c9c4c825&vxp=mtr

[bhazard]

Rockauto has them for $80

[drddan]

Go to ebay.. type ford festiva radiator scroll down the page a few..there is one for $59 free shipping
as far as I can tell they are all the same. Must be one manufacturer making them