1966 radiator problems

I hope somebody here can help with this.
I got the chevy 350 installed in the 66 cj5 and now I am having a heck of a problem finding a radiator that will fit and keep the v8 cool. I need the top hose on the driver side and the bottom hose on the passanger side. The radiator that came with it works except the inlet and outlet are reversed so no matter what hose I put on the bottom the alt. belt rubs it. I already moved the rad as far forward as possible and still can't get far enough away from the alt belt to help.
A buddy gave me a brand new rad in a box and I thought it was going to work but just my luck it's about 4 inch's to tall to let the hood shut and that is with it resting right ontop of the steering shaft. HUMMMMM can a rad shop cut 4 inchs off a rad and put the pan back on.... that might be a option.

 

www.4wd.com carries a radiator for a chevy v-8 for 72+. A good Rad shop will move inlets/outlets, unsure about the core.

 

Where are you located? (fill in your profile ) Here, and in southern CA where I used to live, there are large u-pull-it yards that you can go in for free or a nominal amount. Figure out your requirements (height, width, brackets front or back, locations of outlets, anything else you can think of), leave the tools in the car and take your tape measure. Typically there are hundreds of American cars to look at - once you've analyzed your needs, you should be able to rule out most with just a glance. In MA, there are few cars older than about 15 years; in CA, the span is about 40 years. If you find one that's just right, a radiator shop can boil it, fix it, or recore it easily. A custom radiator will be much more expensive, if you can find a local shop that wll do it (I know of none here the greater Boston area, and I've looked).

 

If the above ideas fail, you can always take those dimensions/measurement requirements into a local radiator shop. They have ways of doing an application "search" using height, witdth, thickness, etc. as search paramaters. From there you could opt to order a new one, or instead go 'treasure hunting' in a junkyard now that they've helped narrow your search. :twisted:

Quick note: I had to do this myslef....when the '64 CJ-5 needed a new radiator, I took the fabbed bracket requirements/dimensions into the rad. shop. When they searched their database, I needed a rad. from a '77 or '78 Ford Ranger. I opted to just order a new Modine one for ~$120 which came in the next day. I coulda gambled and picked one out of a boneyard, but I figgered that after finding one, I'd have to go back and have it boiled and prolly fixed, which in the end wouldn't save me much $$ if any.
-Alan

 

I'm running a 283 in my CJ5 and had the same problem you did. I went to a local radiator shop for help. He used Chevette radiator tanks with a custom 3 row core. I forget the dimensions I gave him, could measure it if you want. I remember the core was something called "maxi-cool" or something similar to that. It has many more fins very close together to give it more surface area for the air to pass over. When driving it runs nice and cool, about 180. I did have to put an electric pusher fan on the front of the rad though to keep it cool in stop and go traffic, or while sitting at redlights. Good luck

 

If it's a common application, new radiators seem really inexpensive now. The most common brand, GDI, is made in Mexico now - IIRC Modine is the same radiator.

 

Have seen adds in the back of JP 4WD etc for radiators some of those prices seemed reasonable for chev V8 conversions especially if you don't go aluminum.

 

Thanks all for the help, I am going to start the day off at the cutom radiator shop and if nothing turns up there I will hit the pick and pull yard.

 

Just lost my rad for my 62 cj5 with origional motor.
Has anyone ever bought a new cj5 radiator from J C whitney.
They show a new one for 219.00

 

The problem isn't radiator size, it's airflow thought the radiator. You're going to have problems with this. The V-8 is a tight fit. There isn't much room around the motor for the air to flow.
My brother has a 350 V-8 in his and he is running a custom 5 row cross flow radiator. Even with this it runs hot. The only way he can cool it is with a pusher fan in front of the radiator.
Here is a picture of my 3 row radiator. It's out of a 78' Chevy Monza.

http://groups.msn.com/ScottMilliner/scottsjeeppictures.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=53

 

would try www.4wd.com or www.milehighjeeprebuilders.com

mine is a custom 3 row for the v-6. took about 3 months to come in. If I had to do it again, I would go for the "extra cooling" factory rad, (only 1 inch taller than regular) and have it done locally (shop said about 5 days turnaround).