Super cooling radiator?

The picture I posted came from a 2004 f 150 spec sheet, only dealers and fleet users get, and it came from ford engineering so I assume its right, 5800 pound bullet trailer ,100 degree day, 62MPH ,Water temp was 192,Trans temp was 162, converter locked, and outstanding fuel mileage ,trailer towing package, Id say that some one got it right in the cooling department

Yup...agree with mkirsch...look at the specifications instead of the marketing verbiage

Even then, gotta look deeper into those specifications.

Like just comparing core thickness can be misleading...

• how many rows are there in that same thickness?
• the row tubes flattened?
• staggered?
• how many tubes per row?
• fins...are they just pushed on, or are they brazed onto the tubes?
• How many fins per inch?
• are the fins straight or wavy?
• cross flow and if so, how many sections? meaning does it move left to right...then right to left...etc ?
• Does the tubes have internal fins ?
• Are those internal fins straight or wavy or twisted ?

Pure marketing many times is just that...marketing verbiage and the component or system are EXACTLY the same

This is thermal dynamics folks and is a science and technology, not marketing names...

Assume there is a difference and recommend getting the biggest you can afford. As the thermostat throttles the cooling system down to whatever is needed...and...the total capacity is for the worst case where the thermostat will open it up to full capacity

mkirsch wrote:
Go back and look at the specs posted in the picture earlier. The standard radiator has a thickness of 1.02" (approximately 1"), and the "super cooling" radiator has a thickness of 1.42" (approximately 1-3/8").

The mechanic is talking about the exact same radiator, just using different terms.

Great. Thanks so much.

Go back and look at the specs posted in the picture earlier. The standard radiator has a thickness of 1.02" (approximately 1"), and the "super cooling" radiator has a thickness of 1.42" (approximately 1-3/8").

The mechanic is talking about the exact same radiator, just using different terms.

Just talked with a shop that came recommended to me. The guy said he could install and HD radiator for me. The difference is the original has a 1'' core, the HD has a 1 3/8' core. Does anyone know what that means?

I'm a mechanical dope...would this change be "better"? Would that be similar to Ford's "SuperCooling"?

Thanks.

I read the second core will add 50% to 60% more cooling. Third core is 20 to 30% and fourth is 5 to 10% additional cooling. Never as much as the first as the air is hotter with each core so less transfer.

Really comes down to surface area. The additional fins will also provide additional cooling by same percent as the fin increase.

I would give it a test run before spending money. If you do replace for any reason I would always opt for the SuperCooling option radiator.

And yes the aftermarket will have the HD radiator for a few $$ more.

acritzer wrote:

steve-n-vicki wrote:
the coolant tubes are wider and they put more fins per inch

Ok. Do you happen to know if those coolant numbers are accurate? And, if so, do they represent a significantly better operation for cooling?

Yes they would cool better, even though its only a half gal more its how the radiator blows off the heat more on the super cooler vs the standard.

Do you plan on towing above 100 degrees than the super cooler is a must.

steve-n-vicki wrote:
the coolant tubes are wider and they put more fins per inch

Ok. Do you happen to know if those coolant numbers are accurate? And, if so, do they represent a significantly better operation for cooling?

the coolant tubes are wider and they put more fins per inch

GordonThree wrote:
Is it an extra horizontal row, which wouldn't be much, or an extra vertical row, as in, a double or triple thick radiator? An extra vertical row could double the btu / kwh rating of the radiator?

I'm not sure but he said the difference in coolant is 23.2 vs 20.6 quarts.