radiator for 55 merc with 302

[manmerc5519]

Gentlemen I have a brand new radiator for my 53 but when I tried it in the 55 mercury the fan is too close any suggestions seems like I looking at the wrong places for radiators

 

[KULTULZ]

Does vendor cataloging call for the 53 to fit a 55?

 

[scicala]

Probably because the '53 was a flathead V8 and the '55 is a 292 Y-Block OHV V8. Plus the '53 radiator will have two upper hoses and two lower hoses. '55 used one on top and one on the bottom. Can't see the '53 radiator working in a '55 at all.


Sal

 

[manmerc5519]

what radiator would I use for 302 in 55 mercury montclair

 

[dmsfrr]

Does it fit well in the '55 Merc original radiator support?

Is the spacer between the pulley and fan too long?
.

 

[manmerc5519]

yes I took the spacer out and it is still to long for the radiator from champion that I have

 

[KULTULZ]

...what radiator would I use for 302 in 55 mercury montclair

It all depends on which Series 302/5.0L engine you have. Short and long WP and where intake is on bottom of WP.

No one sure answer.

 

[manmerc5519]

it came out of a 1978 ford Granada with automatic ****** ,but it has been changed over to three on the floor

 

[KULTULZ]

What you might want to do is call CHAMPION - https://www.championradiators.com/ - and get an idea. They will want some measurements I suppose and you have retained the original 55 MERC core support, correct?

 

[manmerc5519]

Yes I have retained original core support

 

[JeffB2]

You can shorten up the 302 by about 3 1/2" by using the 1966-69 289 "short" water pump and harmonic balancer. Here is what is involved in detail. ( Read Post #5) https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/sbf-short-water-pump-pulleys.303600/ In 1952-56 Fords the 6 cylinder cars had the radiator further forward because of a difference in the lower sheet metal panels, since Mercury did not use the Six you have to get creative to move it forward which involves cutting the splash panel.