Quick radiator question on '81
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
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From: Central Texas
Quick radiator question on '81
I'm about to order some parts for my '81. I need to know if I have a "heavy duty" factory radiator or not. I have factory a/c and the radiator has three cores.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
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From: Shamong, NJ
It is my understanding that VO8 Heavy Duty Cooling, was only available as part of the Trailering Package, RPO ZN1.
The Trailering Package included VO8 HD Cooling and FE7 Gymkhana Suspension, and required the automatic suspension. So if your car is a 4 speed, you can't have the HD radiator. Also, cars with the Trailering Package, used a metal rear spring (in place of the fiberglass spring normally supplied with the automatic) and a rear sway bar. Since the metal rear spring and rear sway bar were also part of the Gymkhana suspension package, it is possible for an automatic car to have them and still not have the Trailering Package and HD Cooling.
All original HD Radiators, have a tag on the side tank marked "FW", and a 1 1/4" inlet. Standard radiators are marked "FN", FP" or "FR". Unfortunately, this tag can be hard to see because of the shroud and seals. Also, many replacement radiators lacked the tags.
There were only 916 81's built with the ZN1 Trailering Package, so the odds are pretty good that you don't have HD Cooling.
The Trailering Package included VO8 HD Cooling and FE7 Gymkhana Suspension, and required the automatic suspension. So if your car is a 4 speed, you can't have the HD radiator. Also, cars with the Trailering Package, used a metal rear spring (in place of the fiberglass spring normally supplied with the automatic) and a rear sway bar. Since the metal rear spring and rear sway bar were also part of the Gymkhana suspension package, it is possible for an automatic car to have them and still not have the Trailering Package and HD Cooling.
All original HD Radiators, have a tag on the side tank marked "FW", and a 1 1/4" inlet. Standard radiators are marked "FN", FP" or "FR". Unfortunately, this tag can be hard to see because of the shroud and seals. Also, many replacement radiators lacked the tags.
There were only 916 81's built with the ZN1 Trailering Package, so the odds are pretty good that you don't have HD Cooling.
