radiator options?

My CJ2A radiator leaks like a garden watering can. I've been looking around for another one, but haven't come up with anything yet. I don't really want to drop $400 on a new one. Is there anything else out there that will fit and work? Maybe a rad out of some other kind of 4-cylinder vehicle? Will L-head radiators work out of a 3B or early CJ5? Any other options?

 

I would take it to a radiator shop (look in phone book) and have them look at it. sounds like it needs a new core (but it could have a lot of small holes).

 

New cores are about $330 right now due to copper prices, I priced mine about 2 months ago...

IIRC it was a 66 Mustang radiator you could use, but recoring the one you have is a better option if you have it. By the time you re-fab mounts etc you might as well have something that looks right and fits right. (IE your stock one) Finding a 66 Mustang radiator isn't that easy either.

I did a thread on this a few months ago...

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38992&highlight=Flatty+Radiator

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21560&highlight=Flatty+Radiator

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38992&highlight=Flatty+Radiator

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40515&highlight=Flatty+Radiator

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I pulled mine a few weeks ago and noticed a crack from the lower port to the core, a few fellow jeepers in town said I could get it soldered/repaired

 

It is possible to solder a radiator to repair it, it has to be drained and CLEAN in that area, I use flux liberally when I do it, but if he has that many leaks it probably isn't worth his time...

 

try border truck in Irasburg VT for a good used one. They have about 300 old jeeps that they part out. i used to have the phone # but i lost it. this is what i came up with by googling it: http://www.localcardir.com/profile/66143.html some of the other members of this forum have used them before. Might be worth a shot if you dont want to drop 400$ on a new one. good luck

 

Mine came to me with a 2-row radiator out of a 1962 Ford. I swapped this out for a brand new 3-row radiator designed to retrofit a 302 into a 65-66 Mustang (needed staggered outlets). Brand new it was only $158 at Mustangs Plus in Stockton CA. Can't beat that with a stick...

Granted, I have a Ford 302 and not the Go Devil, but the 65-66 Mustang radiator will fit in the grill. Go with a standard radiator if you need inline outlets, or modified if you need staggered outlets. Needs a bit of fab to mount things up, but it wasn't anything too crazy.

Chris

 

I don't know what part of PA you are from, but I found a great old radiator shop in Mt. Airy Maryland called Courtney's. This fellow knows vintage radiators! He did an amazing job with my 3A's original radiator for a very fair price!

Shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions or need a pic of his handiwork. It was worth the drive down to MD from the Gettysburg area!

 

Thanks for all the info and options. I think I'll take my radiator to a local shop and see what they have to say. If it's too much, I'll go with something else.

 

Here is a rebuilt one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WILL...0QQihZ006QQcategoryZ34201QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Weird, that doesn't look anything like my factory radiator.... but it looks like it would fit fine...