Cj3a Radiator Recommendation

Hi, I need to replace a radiator on a CJ3A. I saw some at Ebay at $129 and others at $500??. What is good and sufficient? Anyone had experience with All aluminum (No shroud ) units?

Youra advices woud be appreciated. Thanks Yvan

 

Did you search? Lots of discussion of this in previous posts.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=site:earlycj5.com+mustang+fiero+radiator+

The brass/copper commodity radiator has been replaced with the same item made from plastic and aluminum. If not available (ie for a Mustang), you could try on Mustang specialist sites for a replacement.

Radiators are typically sized based on the power the engine can produce. If you look on Summit or Jegs, there are plenty of aluminum radiators along with measurements and (I presume) some indication of the engine power. Either try the applications suggested in old posts, or measure for a hot rod radiator: https://www.summitracing.com/search...tOrder=Ascending&keyword=radiator&kr=radiator

 

Whether brass or aluminum, you still want to use a shroud. It significantly increases the efficiency of the radiator. In my experience, welded, all aluminum radiators are probably 15 to 20% more efficient that an identical sized brass version. And you do not want one with plastic tanks. As Tim posted, do a search. There should be a lot of information on this site.

 

I have a champion aluminum radiator on my cj5 and have been very happy with it. Would this one possibly fit? https://www.championradiators.com/Willys-radiator-1951-1953

 

I used an aluminum radiator from eBay on my M38. It is a bottom mount. Make sure your lower mounting and bottom hose mounting is the same and you will do fine.
You will need to be creative with your shroud mounting. Mine had no provision for that. I used foam tape as a spacer along with cable ties to secure the original shroud to the new radiator.
on your hoses you may find oem doesn’t fit the lower outlet because of the angle. I don’t remember what I did but you might have to use a flex radiator hose. (Sorry Mortske)

 

https://www.thejeepsterman.com/prod...m-3-row-1949-1964-jeep-cj-3a-cj-3b-and-dj-3a/

 

I'm not a big fan of aluminum radiators, as we've had too many leaks on a V8 hemi conversion on my son's JK.

For my Little cj2a truck conversion, I opted for a new radiator for a 1965 mustang with a 289. I also use a push type fan from summit mounted on the front of the radiator, so no shroud is needed. Pretty simple to fab mounts, and it has plenty of capacity to keep my Buick 232 cool.

Spent a week in Moab over Thanksgiving, and never had a cooling issue. I do not use a thermostat to cycle the fan off and on, just set it up on a relay so it runs all the time if the jeep is running.

We also had an unusually hot summer, and jeep stayed at 185 degrees.

 

I used this one in my 3A build
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2340681146...ontiac&hash=item367f8bfcd6:g:lkwAAOSwAEJf4EeE
Here's the thread so you can see what it looks like
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/106826/page-3

 

Not to hijack this thread, but how do you guys drain your radiator? Last time I did it, I loosened the small release valve at the bottom. No quick release, I had to turn it many times. Fluid went everywhere, I mean everywhere! As it began to loosen, fluid sprayed out sideways, then once I got the stopper out the rushing fluid went a new direction (none of it in the funnel). There was just no way to get a controlled stream and direct it to my buckets.

How do you do it?

 

You might try a big square or round pan about 6 inches deep and just pull the bottom hose. Your going to make somewhat if a mess no matter what, so might as well make the process fast.

I have a container about 3 feet round by 6 inches deep and works pretty well.

 

Find one like this with the right threads and stick a piece of hose on it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293533841518?epid=5017012691&hash=item4457faf86e:g:fUMAAOSwQRNg-MsO

 

Yeah, I'd just pull the bottom hose if there was no tap.

Suggest you don't hijack and instead post a new thread with your question.