If you have done any modifications to your Mustang or you live in a warmer environment, you may find that you have a problem with keeping your engine cool. Cooling of the engine is a key element to the functionality of your Mustang. Not only does it keep the engine from melting down, an engine with proper cooling will generally have better gas mileage, improved emissions, and it will allow for higher compression and power. If you have an automatic, the new radiator will also help keep your transmission safe by cooling the transmission fluid.

A lot of you will run into problems when you throw a larger engine in your Mustang. Any time you try to increase the horsepower, you will probably have cooling issues as well. People who race in the south also often have cooling issues just because of climate. Plus, a typical radiator will fail within 4-7 years of owning the vehicle. Why not buy a radiator with more cooling? Especially when the upgrade does not cost much more than the standard radiator.

There is the option of upgrade radiators for many Mustangs. This should definitely be your first option when you are replacing a radiator, and should be the first area you look at when you are having cooling issues. These upgrades can be done with little or no modification.

The best type of upgrade is to upgrade the thickness of your radiator. Often, this is measured in rows. Be sure, though, that the radiator is actually thicker. More rows does not necessarily mean more cooling. Cooling is determined, primarily, by the overall volume of the radiator, the materials used, and the number of fins per inch. (A radiator with more fins per inch called a high efficiency radiator within the industry.)

You want to make sure that you measure the current radiator in your vehicle to verify it is the correct one. The most common method of measuring a radiator is by measuring the core. The core is the honeycomb portion in between the tanks.

All radiators can be ordered through Radiator.com. Radiator.com offers free next day delivery (if you order before 3:30 Monday through Thursday), which is great when you have a radiator blown and you need to replace it right away. All their parts have lifetime warranties, and their parent company has been around for about 20 years. Plus, their price is guaranteed to be low, or they'll give you the part at the low price and an extra 10% off. I've priced a few radiators and, of the upgrades that the dealer actually has available, Radiator.com was between $100 and $300 cheaper.

Be sure to write in the comment field which upgrade you want. I talked to the guys at Radiator.com and they said they leave part numbers out to make it easier on the average consumer. Just be sure to specify the part you want in the comment field. Like if you want the 3-row upgrade, state it in the comments. They were really helpful when I ordered an upgrade radiator for my '85 stang.

The following radiators are going to work for both manual and automatic transmissions. If you have a manual, just ignore the transmission lines. They are in a self-contained module of the radiator and nothing comes out that doesn't go in first.

64 1/2 - 69 Model Mustangs
The stangs of this era came with two different radiator sizes. The radiator that has a core length of about 24 inches can not be upgraded. But if you have a radiator with a core length of about 20 inches, you are in luck. The radiator should have a core height of 16 3/8 and a core length of 20 1/4. Be sure the bottom hose is on the passenger side. If the bottom hose is towards the driver's side, you can not use a standard upgrade radiator without modifications.

Radiator.com has both a 2-row and a 3-row. If you desire the 3-row upgrade and you originally have a 2 or a 3-row, just specify in the comment field that you want a 3-row or call (888)-RADIATOR. I don't know of any dealers that offer the 3-row upgrade. Remember that a radiator that has the bottom hose on the driver's side or a core length of 24 inches can not be upgraded without modifications. The price for the standard replacement (part # 340) is $169 and the price on the 3-row upgrade (part # 1464) is $229. Both come with a lifetime warranty and free next day shipping (orders need to be placed before 3:30 Mon. - Thurs. to receive the next day with free shipping).

71-72 Model Mustangs
Just like the 64-69 model mustangs, there is only one type of radiator that can be upgraded. There is no standard upgrade if your radiator's core length measures about 26 inches. On the other hand, if the core measures about 21 inches long, there is a 3 row upgrade. The standard 2-row (part # 382 or 386) costs just $195. The price for the upgrade (part # 385) is the same price! Both come with a lifetime warranty and free next day shipping (orders need to be placed before 3:30 Mon. - Thurs. to receive the next day with free shipping).

79-93 Model Mustangs
All engines. The standard is a 2-row. You want to be sure of two things before you get the upgrade. First, on rare occasions, some radiators have pin mounts on the bottom. If your radiator has two stubs coming off of the bottom as a mount, you are not able to get the standard upgrade. Also, if your radiator has the tanks on the top and bottom (i.e. a down-flow radiator), you can not get a standard 3 row upgrade. The price for the 2-row (part # 556) is $99. The price for the 3-row (part # 138) is an unbelievable $134 and comes with a lifetime warranty and free next day shipping (orders need to be placed before 3:30 Mon. - Thurs. to receive the next day with free shipping).

On a side note, you may notice that there are several years missing. I have not found any standard upgrades for the Mustang II series, or for some of the newer mustangs. My feeling is that the large vendors have not found a large market for upgrades of this year. If you know of any radiator manufacturer that makes inexpensive standard upgrades, let me know. My email address is muadib@universalmail.com. I know Griffin makes sweet upgrade radiators for all these vehicles, but the prices were a little too much for my pocket book.