Cooling System Rebuild... Stage 2

[04_Sport_LS]

OK...

After replacing ALL plastic cooling system parts attached to the engine, (plus degas),,, and replacing ALL rubber hoses I could get my hands on at the time, (2.5 years... 50K miles ago),,, I now have a new leak. Seems the right side tank seal on the radiator is taking a vacation.

I can get "Red Box" parts throught the aftermarket,,, for the radiator and DCCV for about $355 shipped. However the aux coolant pump is somewhat hard to find. Red Box doesn't exist,,, and the Bosch part is available... but I wouldn't want to order it through any places I've seen online,,, and AZ, Adavance, and O'Reiilys don't list the Bosch part.

I did some digging on the internet... and may have found a "Blue Box", (OEM), part that has a different part number than the standard Ford part number suggested on LVC. The part number is... 5W4Z-18D473-A,,, and supposedly fits '03-'06 LS V8's. I realize Ford superceeds part numbers,,, but is this a true supercession on the original part number 1W4Z-18D473-AA??? The number sucession is close enough to the original part number,,, but I want to be sure.

Joe,

Your expertise would be much appreciated here,,, because i can get the 5W4Z-18D473-A... for $164 shipped, from the west side of the country. If I can get the rad, dccv, and aux pump for $520 shipped... that would make me very happy.

 

[joegr]

I have 5W4Z-18D473-A as the most current Ford part number for the aux pump.
I had to replace the radiators on both of mine. I used the aftermarket that the auto stores had. That was maybe two or so years ago, so not really long enough yet to say if I came out ahead or not.

 

[cammerfe]

We tend to have, here, a distrust of anything that didn't come over a dealership parts counter. But, on the other hand, there are a plethora of aftermarket radiator manufacturers who make parts even better than what was original equipment. Any 'knee-jerk' reaction regarding parts sources probably needs to be re-examined with an open mind. Just for example, my own Accel cops are still going strong after nine years.

KS

 

[04_Sport_LS]

After turning wrenches for 35 years or so... I have reason for a bit of distrust,,, but it's not kneejerk.

I've said it may times already on this forum,,, and I'll say it again. There are reasons that OEM part numbers change and are superceeded. Improvements in design,,, based on reports from parts changed by dealerships... and looking at failure rates and reasons for the failures.

Aftermarket may say their parts meets or exceeds OEM,,, but they don't get to see the blueprints or specs for the latest OEM design change. And the aftermarket may not get them for years. So aftermarket parts designed to OEM most like will have the original design flaw.

Nothing wrong with Accel coils. Been used on high performance vehicles for decades. But in the past they did have their share of problems. Heck,,, I'm using a version of Standard Motor Products coils on my LS. Main reason was because they are made in the USA... and they have a lifetime warranty through the local parts store.

Not everything HAS to be OEM from my perspective... but I feel I have a little better insurance on longevity by buying OEM. Over the last couple decades... with the invasion of foreign made parts in the aftermarket,,, I've seen the quality of many aftermarket parts take a nosedive. For about the last decade or so... I buy mostly OEM parts,,, unless I can find a well known reputable U.S. made version in the aftermarket.

I could be overspending for a false sense of security... but it's worked for me so far.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Thanks Joe... for the confirmation on the part number. I've used Spectra radiators before,,, out of necessity. They don't seem too bad... but as you say,,, time will tell.