Same radiator on '87 towing package vs. standard?

[RyPow]

Over the winter, the Sand Box decided to develop a leak in the radiator at the crimp between the core and passenger side plastic tank. Does anyone know for sure if the towing package cars had the same radiator as the standard one or not? I know the water pump is the HD version, but have not found conclusive info about the rad. Rock Auto does list a rad for "w/5.0L, w/towing package" but doesn't even state the manufacturer. The listing for wagons is the same as the sedan. I have the good used rad out of my Tudor which will likely be replaced with a bigger aftermarket one, but if it is not equivalent to a towing package rad then I'd rather source the correct version.

[TecNickal]

When I looked at a tow package car I found the radiator is the same size.

[RyPow]

I stopped by my usual parts store today, they only list one style of rad for 5.0L cars. I checked Rock Auto for a 351 rad, and there are many more listings including 2- and 3-row. I assume these are fleet/police replacements. Has anyone had experience with the Spectra CU547 or CU552? I could see myself going for the CU547 (2-row) as an upgrade, since there isn't much of a price premium over the CU227 (listing for 5.0L).

[gadget73]

The 351 radiator fits, but you need the upper radiator hose for the same vehicle. You will probably also need to modify the upper radiator clamps and the rubber block it sits into for the rad to sit right.

[sly]

+1 will need to modify the passenger side rad bracket and need the top rad hose for a 351. 3-core will need custom brackets both sides.

[RyPow]

When I looked at a tow package car I found the radiator is the same size.

I found the rad from my Tudor, and it is indeed identical to the one from the Sand Box. As a time/cost savings measure, it will be going on the Sand Box to get the car road-worthy. I don't plan on pushing the rad to its limits in that car anyway - for now.

The 351 radiator fits, but you need the upper radiator hose for the same vehicle. You will probably also need to modify the upper radiator clamps and the rubber block it sits into for the rad to sit right.

+1 will need to modify the passenger side rad bracket and need the top rad hose for a 351. 3-core will need custom brackets both sides.

Thanks for the heads-up. Without having one of the bigger rads in front of me, it was hard to tell from pictures if the tanks were the same size on the 2- and 3-core rads, necessitating modified bracket(s).