Topic: Differences in 24 inch radiators

[RocketScientist]

Ignoring the differences between manual and automatic transissions, there is a wide variety of 24 inch radiators for a whole range of different cars (B302, B429, 428's, 390's etc). They all appear dimensionally similar and are there any significant differences between them and their performance? I am just curious as to why there is so many different types out there.
Brad

[J_Speegle]

Ignoring the differences between suppliers I think if you look through the year specific MPCs you will find the difference are in the cores. Number of rows, size of each as well as the fin count

[RocketScientist]

That makes sense as the different engines have different HP ratings and will generate different amonts of heat. It is not sufficient to just keep them cool (and utilise a single specification radiator) but to keep them within a temperature range to maintain thermal efficiency and for that you will need a different radiator for each engine. It must have been a continual logistical headache for the supply deparmtent.

[J_Speegle]

That makes sense as the different engines have different HP ratings and will generate different amounts of heat. It is not sufficient to just keep them cool (and utilise a single specification radiator) but to keep them within a temperature range to maintain thermal efficiency and for that you will need a different radiator for each engine. It must have been a continual logistical headache for the supply department.

Reason why, for allot of things, Ford and others choose to reduce the number of parts carried as service replacements and increasing the interchangeability of of the ones they did. Did not make them the same - just would work in most situations.