85f15dy

Basics: 85 F-150 5.0 EFI base model with previous owner's 'improvisments'
(i drove it 85-all highway miles last week, at 45-55 for two straight hours without a problem. read o-r on the gauge the whole time)
So after replacing my thermostat and fan clutch, I've decided my truck is overheating due to a clogged radiator. drove it to a shop 10 miles away on monday to get a quote and it overheated on the way there, overheated on the way back. overheated meaning A-L on the gauge then the needle pegs after it sits for a minute or two.
I pulled off my grille as soon as i got home and ran my hands across it. well the top half is boiling and the bottom 3-4 inches are lukewarm. My understanding is that it is clogged. when I flushed it for the thermostat fix I did get some sediment out but I wasn't thinking about the radiator then.

I'm running a single core radiator. Ideally I'd like to upgrade to a dual core and quite frankly, I don't know if I have the right one in to begin with. it's a ford E5THMB6 with the E5Ta8146PB shroud.

If my symptoms correctly indicate a clogged radiator, is it smart to go with a dual core, what do i need to change it over, or what am I not seeing?

Thanks!
Its late and I apologise if this doesn't make much sense....

jessiebarnes

My 85 kept over heating yesterday and started throwing anti freeze all over. I checked to make sure the thermostat was in the correct way and it was. Turns out it was plugged up. I got a different radiator, I believe it was out of a ford with a 302 so it's twice the size of the stock one. Haven't had any problems with it yet.. good luck

85f15dy

Upgraded to a two core towing radiator from performance radiator... 2000 miles and no overheating trouble. if anyone switches their core/row number you need a different shroud