Auto/MTX Radiator Swap

[Buckbee1129]

I have heard many mixed feelings on this and I have searched. Will the Automatic Radiator fit an MTX? Is the I4 and the V6 Different? I just need to get a straight answer so I can fix my car..


Thanks:)

[DanG]

An ATX radiator will work in an MTX, but not vice versa without a supplemental trans cooler. The reason is that the ATX radiator has connections for trans cooler lines, and the MTX radiator doesn't. And you definitely DON'T want to run an Autotragic without a cooler.

I can't believe Ford would be foolish enough to have differences between the I4 and V6 radiators (ease of manufacturing and only having to source 2 radiators instead of 4), but stranger things have happened.

[Buckbee1129]

thanks

[brapple]

there is a very slight difference in zetec and duratec radiators. this should go for either an atx or mtx but I only compaired mtx cars.

you will notice the duratec has two small radiator hoses that come off the top front corner of the coolant tank on the passanger fender. the lower hose goes to the radiator.

The zetec only has one. This one does not go to the radiator.

when I had to replace the radiator in my zetec the aftermarket one was for an atx because it had the fittings for the cooler lines. It does have the port on the radiator for the small line that runs to the coolant tank on the fender. originally I just used a bit of hose and a metal dowl to plug this fitting on the radiator. I recently got a duratec coolant tank from the junk yard with the second hose and installed that. the hose I used as a plug was starting to crack.

I also did this because I have the wiring for the low coolant sensor in my zetec but the stock coolant tank didn't have the float. I plugged it in but it didn't work, but I am not sure I have a bulb in the cluster as I don't recall from when I last had it out a few years ago.