4.6L donor radiator, use it or get another

[bil1024]

My donor rad is bent up from the donor, should I get a 98 rad from NAPA or after market from Summit ? I also understand that the rad keeps the power steering cooled ?

[acth4347]

The Mustang radiator does not normally keep the power steering fluid cool. The 96-98 Mustangs use a single loop of tubing separate from the radiator that acts as a cooler. The radiator does cool the automatic transmission fluid if the car is so equipped. That said, I don't see any reason why you can't use the radiator to cool the PS fluid if you are running a manual trans and your radiator has the trans cooler built in.
The only issue might arise from the stock Mustang radiators being inadequate for cooling in general and where the upper radiator hose routes. FFR has a radiator where you don't have to route the hose through the F panel. Both ways work though.
For best performance I think a good aftermarket radiator and a small fluid cooler would work. I am building my MarkIII using a 98 donor and I am going to try the stock radiator with a separate cooler, unless someone else chimes in indicating problems going that route. If I run into cooling issues I will consider an aftermarket one. Bill

[riptide motorsport]

Its up to the task but now adays its the plastic end caps of the new rad.s that crack over time, its 15 years old......how much is a new one from advance ?

[AZPete]

I used the donor radiator with my 2000 4.6 and it ran cool even here in the AZ desert with 110+ temps in stop & go traffic. Donor fan with auto control. For looks and protection cover it with a stainless steel screen from Pegasus.