Hello All,

I am thinking of replacing my 2005 2.3 duratec radiator and water pump as a preventative measure as they are nearing 20 years old. The truck has 117 thousand miles and is in a very high state of maintenance. I also just like replacing parts that are not broken. Anywho, where can I get some good hose clamps that won't cause me any problems? I hear that the traditional clamps can cause damage and I misplaced the original ones. I suck.

Thanks all.

I am not sure what the hose diameters are.

 

Radiator Hoses are likely 1.5" ID
Personal preference is to replace factory SpringClamps with DoubledUp traditional WormClamps from NAPA\Oreilly;
avoid the cheap WormClamps sold on Ebay\Amazon, they tend to be worthless junk that will strip\slip loose.
I have replaced the 1.5"ID hoses on both my vehicles with StainlessFlex;
easily bent\routed\cut as needed & slightly increases radiators capacity with more exposed cooling surfaces.
If still running FactoryOE PlasticTank(junk) 2Core Radiator, consider swapping to an AllAluminum 3or4Core version;
click here for more info.

 

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, we have the degas system and I have not yet found an aluminum radiator that will work with out some modifications to they system. I would rather not play engineer and put in a non degas system radiator and make an issue that I did not foresee.

I do want to go with the T-bar style connectors, If anyone has the measurement size that I would use would be great.

I have an email to Mishimoto to see if they have a solution. Their website did not have a radiator for my application.

It that doesn't work out I will go with a Motorcraft radiator as they have held up so far so well. I would be tempted for a better performing radiator as I live in Pheonix where it gets very hot in the summer.

Thanks all,

BOB

 

The OE design is fine, you do not need an AL radiator.

I'd consider DENSO if you cannot source OEM, when I replaced mine, OEM was close to 500 out the door, but was on backorder with no restock date listed.

 

Thank you for the replies,

I was going to order a Motorcraft radiator for a later model 2.3 ranger with automatic transmission and just leave the trans cooler lines covered as mine is an automatic. It is about 220 bucks. The Denso is about 160 but I just feel a bit better keeping it Motorcraft, unless it just doesn't matter.

Thanks,

BOB

 

If you can find an OE unit, and its what you want, definitely go with it. I couldn't source a reasonable replacement when the replacement I bought blew up 2 weeks after install.

PSSST.....dont buy CSF. They didn't even get the crimps together on the end tanks properly, and wouldn't warranty it either "A shop HAS to install it"

 

Well I pulled the trigger and ordered new Motorcraft hoses, water pump, coolant degas tank, and radiator from Rock Auto.
Sometimes I feel I go a bit overboard but this car is currently my new car (2005 117K) and I want it to be reliable as possible so I don't have to buy a new car in this market.
So now the entire cooling system had been refreshed and good for another 17 years.

Thanks all,

Waiting for it to fail just sounds bad to me as I would not think any aluminum engine would like to get hot.

 

Just as a word of advice, make sure both the degas tank and the "radiator" cap are both FoMoCo OEM parts.

I went through absolute HELL chasing coolant problems, and 99% of them were traced back to the aftermarket Coolant Recovery Tank and cap.

 

Thank you for the advise.....

BOB

 

I did already order whatever the most expensive one that they had from Rock Auto before you advised against it.

If I have issues I will change it out with a Motorcraft. They did not have it at Rock Auto.

Thanks