Propably a dumb idea but I thought I would ask if it is worth adapting.
I have a new IC radiator if I want it and a spare core support. I know I would need a newer style thermostat housing.
If it is doable the Ic radiator looks bigger and rubber mount seems like better way to mount than the flange.

 

I changed mine over from non I/C. You need a different fan and fan hub too. It made a huge difference on keeping my truck cool when towing.

 

You will also need the hard to find I/Ced fan shroud and upper radiator neck that is on the motor. A new upper hose and a different serpentine belt.
The upper and lower mounts on the core support are different and will need to be modified to your old core support, unless you have a '91'5-'93 core support.
The newer core support will only work with the newer '91.5-'93 style grille.
Any questions Mark, just shoot me a message.

 

Thanks Oliver,
I was just sort of thinking out loud. I will probably just get one that fits.I would hate to loose my older style grille.

 

I figured that would be a big down side for you.
I run the earlier radiator in all my 1st gens.
It cools them more that enough with my manual transmission.
My temp gauge barely moves at all, even on my recent trip to Pa in the summer heat doing 75 MPH on the highway. I only saw it move when I was stuck in stop and go Pa. highway traffic.
The auto cooler dumps a lot of heat into the cooling system when towing, but the manuals don't.
Problem solved for me!

 

Every time I see a guy having a problem with overdrive on an automatic I think it's so much Simpler move the stick to the right and up.

 

My friend was on a drive with me in Poncho a few weeks ago.
He was looking at my temp gauge and asked me if it was broken as we drove down the road…I told him it works fine it just doesn't really read anything unless it is run hard then left to idle while not moving.

 

I have always liked manual transmissions. My favorite of all time is the Fuller Roadranger 18 speed the single overdrive. yes I like to shift

 

Same here!!! My 1990 truck had the 727 when I got it. I promptly destroyed it from hooking to heavy things and when it needed overhauled I hauled it over to the recycling place and found a 5spd donor.

I learned to drive a tandem in a Mack with a QuadraPlex!!! That setup will keep you awake!

 

I installed the later radiator as well, I upgraded the early core to mx crimp core at 350. in '04, it still wasent enough for the desert temps, and the mountain I live on, and as oliver stated, the shroud, which I purchased, pristine from him, along with the bigger fan, does keep it under control now. I bought the top brackets, and made the bottom ones.

 

This is where I've always thought our trucks have lacked a little. The radiators should have been much bigger. But I certainly do agree that the manuals stay cooler than the autos. At least my current '93 5sp stays much cooler than the '89 and '90 I previously had that were autos. I realize intercooling has a lot to do with that, too.
I have a '95 7.3 Powerstroke in a 1 ton dump that I work pretty hard. It's got a pretty good size cooling system, and getting hot has never really been an issue. But after adding a huge, 6.0 trans cooler, it barely climbs when hauling heavy. And I'm in the process of adding an intercooler right now.
Getting rid of the auto trans heat running thru the radiator, to me, makes a big difference.

 

That would be my advice to anybody with an auto transmission. Get rid of the heat exchanger on the side of the block and plumb in a couple of fluid-to-air heat exchangers with fans elsewhere on the truck.

Auto transmissions slip a lot and that friction generates heat, of course. Don't let that additional heat tax the undersized cooling system of these trucks. Might be nice to have the supplemental heat for the winter time though. Plus, that OEM heat exchanger can become a major problem or create major problems when it leaks internally or externally.

 

exactly my thoughts.

 

I get rid of the auto transmission cooler at the same time as I get rid of the auto transmission.

 

I did the same thing