Radiator Size

Hello all,

As i about have my rig back on the road, i am looking down the road at other improvement projects. I have the 198 motor with a non-CJ5 grill. The PO installed a larger radiator that extends past the grill thingy (sorry i am not remembering the term for it) that funnels the air to the rad. I also see other V6 motors that have smaller rads so i am wondering if getting a more proper fitting rad would make it more able to overheat? I am thinking this to also add the rods that are missing but with this radiator blocks that possibility.

 

My rad with my 225 was oversized. It made the cooling system have larger fluctuations in temperature than is right.. so its not about overheating sometimes as much as not dropping 10 degrees or more when the thermostat opens.

 

It looks like you have a 4 cylinder grill installed and that’s why the radiator has the overhang. Depending on what you plan to use the Jeep for, installing a 4 cylinder radiator may create a constant overheating/ temperature flux situation. Can you source a V6 grill to make the radiator fit and function properly?

 

I have a 66 V6 model with the smaller radiator with shroud and a 70 V6 model with the larger radiator and no shroud. The temp in the 70 model will climb in the AZ summer when idling at at stop light.

I have no overheating issues with the 66 model.

Richard

 

Do you remember I dealt with this on my '63? Same engine and grill setup. Champion radiator fit almost perfectly with just a bit of minor, minor fab work.

198 V6 Overheating

 

Now I do. I don’t have a shroud so I imagine that’s helping your cooling with a smaller rad?

 

I think so, yup! coolant flush, new thermostat, hoses and she's cool as a cucumber.

 

Guess I need to first find a shroud to fit. I’m not having overheating issues as it’s more of a vanity thing.

 

I’ve done all those things too. Again so far it looks good on temp but I haven’t really got it rolling with speed and load. Just getting back on all four.

 

Anyone have ideas for possibly sourcing a fan shroud knowing I have a Grammy Jeep?
I would like to go down that route first before spending on smaller radiator.

 

My 2 cents: I would never put in a smaller radiator. That would be very much counter productive if you are actually really going to use the Jeep. Even your current mounting would be better than the F head version. I don't know what your fabricating skills are but it would not be too difficult to make a new radiator mounting from the grill shell back but a newer V6 grill would be the easy path. And most definitely put a shroud on it. They make a big difference.

 

those support rods can add some structural rigidity, but are kind of a pain to work around.

 

Just fyi, the radiator I put in mine is a 3-core aluminum radiator for a 225 V6. aka "not smaller", in fact, it's probably a bit oversized for the 198 I'm running? [shrug]. it replaced the 4 cylinder setup I had in there, and has been working well for quite a few trips.