My aftermarket rad (three core so fan spacer has already compensated for thickness) has breathed its last. Not worth repairing according to the rad shop (of which there are very few rad shops these days I might add). Looking for suggestions on a replacement. I looked at ACP three core as a possible viable solution. Made in USA out of California. I do also have that never used original 1966 desert radiator mothballed but hesitant to use because a. extreme rarity and b. apparently modern-day rads will outperform it. More a conversation piece than anything.
I'm using a 3 core radiator that I bought in 2011. Got it at a defunct auto supplier
I see a company called "cold case radiators" has something similar. Price has gone up since I purchased mine
Look them up and see if they fit your needs. I have my original repaired, but haven't reinstalled it in the car
Brassworks makes a quality product - but they are VERY proud of them. They might be able to put a new core into your current radiator. Aluminum is an option but even painted black has an aftermarket 90s look.
https://www.thebrassworks.net/collections/1960s-ford-radiators/products/1965-ford-mustang-radiator-reproduction
Thank you for your suggestions. I am considering both options.
Going to have the desert radiator gone through and if it passes with the radiator shop, then why not use it I figure.
Three core from Ford in 1966 for a Mustang???
I'm using a 3 core from Spectra and it has never overheated, has run warm while driving in the DC 4th of July Parade
It all depends on how original you want to be.
Years ago I replaced the original 2 core with a three core 69 or 70 351 Ford radiator. From memory I believe the tag is a D0... so that means it is a '70. I'll look if you want the full tag.
Since my car is factory A/C, there was no chance of over cooling. Personally I think that it should have always been a three core. I don't see the logic of going to 2 core, unless it was just a cost thing initially.
That two core is going to run hot in desert type conditions and you don't want to break down while you are driving through Death Valley.
At the time I had a Boss 351 C in the car and the water pump outlet is on the opposite side as the early cars, so that radiator I am talking about IF you are using it with your 289 with the original water pump will need to have the inlet on the bottom tank relocated. That is no big deal for a radiator guy to move at all.
I have the desert radiator with Rex rads over in East Dundee to go over it. They have been in business since 1909 according to their website. I plan to use the rad in the Shelby because it is from the day and rare even though no Shelbys ever came with the Ford desert radiator option. My reason to use it is one day I'll be gone and I can state within a high degree of certainty that the rad as a stand alone will get thrown out by my son while going through my possessions. Better to have it in the car so when he sells it (I have no doubt he will as fast as he can) at least the next owner might discover its rarity in the car. Sort of an Easter Egg for the next owner down the line. (If anyone even cares at that point given our current very strange trajectory on about everything in this world.)
I learn something new every day. I have never heard of a desert radiator option.
Quote from: shelbydoug on September 11, 2026, 05:23:01 PMI learn something new every day. I have never heard of a desert radiator option.
I had an old post on the thing and then it all went dormant over Covid, practically forgot I had it (though not entirely). Now it has resurfaced to haunt my dreams.
https://www.saac.com/forum/index.php?topic=1347.msg11334#msg11334
The desert rad was not in optimal shape so I had it recored. The rad shop said an overhaul they could not guarantee the result, hence the recore. Now installed and all buttoned up. Any suggestions on antifreeze?
Quote from: shelbydoug on September 11, 2026, 05:23:01 PMI learn something new every day. I have never heard of a desert radiator option.
You might have heard it referred to as a "desert cooler" Not many were sold but you see one every so often in San Jose cars built in the south west part of the country. Believe it was a different supplier that made them rather than Western or Eastern Modine. One year only sort of thing. Identification information is on the drivers side strap like Easter Modine's though different as deathsled posted above.
A few pictures
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/23/6-061026193239-23624672.jpeg)
And a few of a NOS Desert Cooler radiator kit
(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/23/6-061026193239-23623370.jpeg)
The fan shroud clips I reused. They were from the old radiator I removed which was a replica of a 66 rad except it had a three core in it hence the fan shroud clips were a kit made to accommodate a thicker three core. It all went together with no modifications and the desert cooler rad bolted up straight to the core support. I am thinking before I fill this rad I will re-disconnect the hoses and do a power wash of the engine block. I don't want to be flooding the rad with dirty engine sludge from the water passages. Any thoughts?
Wondering if I can top up the radiator with distilled water, disconnect the top hose and start the engine and let it run until it gets hot enough that the thermostat opens and let the presumably dirty water flow out of the disconnected hose until it runs clean then reconnect and fill with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water.
Addendum: Looks like that idea is a bad one. The green that came out was fairly clear (and green) so I will just fill it up with 50/50 and go from there.