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Aftermarket Radiator in CJ3a?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by DanStew, Jun 16, 2009.

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  1. Jun 16, 2009
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    After looking at the prices for a new stock radiator for my flatty, i am surprised at the expense. I can buy used, but still concerned how long that would last. My question has anyone swapped in an aftermarket radiator, say an aluminum one into your rig and have pics of it. I really do nto want to hack everything apart, but i could get a nice aluminum radiator for cheaper than the Omix-Ada stuff.
     
    DanStew, Jun 16, 2009
    #1
  2. Jun 16, 2009
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    I haven't had a rad recored in years, but the last time I did it was waaaay cheaper than replacing it. Have you gotten some prices on rebuilding the one you have Dan? Shop around while you're at it, the quotes can vary quite a bit!
     
    w3srl, Jun 16, 2009
    #2
  3. Jun 16, 2009
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    The quote i got was $650 :(

    I know a few years back i had my 226 rdiator recored for about $250. I jsut think the guys threw out a high quote cause they didnt want to do it.
     
    DanStew, Jun 16, 2009
    #3
  4. Jun 16, 2009
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
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    My recore was 350 and I'm considering an alum rad still.
     
    sammy, Jun 16, 2009
    #4
  5. Jun 16, 2009
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    DanStew, Jun 16, 2009
    #5
  6. Jun 16, 2009
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    DanStew, Jun 16, 2009
    #6
  7. Jun 16, 2009
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    DanStew, Jun 16, 2009
    #7
  8. Jun 16, 2009
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    I used my tanks and had a custom 4 core built for $300 Sumthing. Look for an old Mom and Pop Rad shop. The one I use is called Potts Radiators here in the Springs.
     
    Warloch, Jun 16, 2009
    #8
  9. Jun 17, 2009
    panzer

    panzer Super Mod Staff Member

    Columbus, OH
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    panzer, Jun 17, 2009
    #9
  10. Jun 17, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I had my truck radiator recored with 4 rows - the original was 3 and the only replacement I could find had 2 (HD and std cooling resp, I assume). I thought it was expensive at the time, around $250 or maybe a little more.

    I believe that most replacement radiators are made in Mexico now, and competitive pricing has made actual radiator repair uncommon. I tried a few local places that claimed to be "radiator shops" but none of them actually repaired radiators. I had to drive out of town about 20 miles to find a place that would actually recore my radiator.

    If the aluminum Mustang radiator will fit, I'd think that would be a good option.
     
    timgr, Jun 17, 2009
    #10
  11. Jun 17, 2009
    electricontr

    electricontr Member

    Denver Colorado
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    What engine do you have? If it's a 225, those rads. lower necks are on the wrong side.
     
    electricontr, Jun 17, 2009
    #11
  12. Jun 17, 2009
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Stock L-head.
     
    DanStew, Jun 17, 2009
    #12
  13. Jun 17, 2009
    NoFlyZone

    NoFlyZone Member

    Ridgeville, SC
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    And they offer them on either side. Speedway, Summit, and Jegs has them. Who else?
     
    NoFlyZone, Jun 17, 2009
    #13
  14. Jun 20, 2009
    farm1810

    farm1810 Member

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    I put a 2 row, aftermarket new radiator in my CJ3A project. Is that going to be enough cooling for my old flathead? Reading this thread about 3 and 4 row radiators made me think that maybe this isn't enough.
     
    farm1810, Jun 20, 2009
    #14
  15. Jun 20, 2009
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    It'll work just fine. ;)
     
    w3srl, Jun 20, 2009
    #15
  16. Jun 21, 2009
    farm1810

    farm1810 Member

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    Along with the 2 row radiator, I am using a 12" electric fan - 1250 CFM with no shroud. Do I need to add another fan? This is with running the flattie, and using a Delco alternator to power things. I am thinking that I don't need the fan hardly at all when traveling down the road, so why waste the HP?
     
    farm1810, Jun 21, 2009
    #16
  17. Jun 21, 2009
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

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    I ran a front adn rear fan in my old jeep. it kept it cool. It owuld cool with one but living in florida i used 2 just in case. I put them to a switch and you could definately tell if you didnt turn them on, or if the switch broke. Kept it cool. Make sure to use a thermostat. I used the electric fans at first with no engine thermostat and it couldnt get warm.
     
    DanStew, Jun 21, 2009
    #17
  18. Jun 22, 2009
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Why mess with the stock system that works pretty well?

    The shroud really is worth it, it makes whatever fan you use more efficient at pulling air through the fins.
     
    w3srl, Jun 22, 2009
    #18
  19. Jun 22, 2009
    farm1810

    farm1810 Member

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    My thoughts in not using the stock fan are two fold:

    1. That fan has to suck up some HP. I see folks trying to figure out how to squeeze out a little extra from the L & F heads with headers, shaving cylinder heads, etc. It seems to me that fan uses more HP than an exhaust header will gain you. Where I am thinking I will see the most help is in the 3000 rpm range plugging along down the road. With the air moving through the radiator from the forward motion, the electric fan will just be going along for the ride.

    2. Noise. I have my little engine running, without the stock fan and it is amazing how nice the little L head sounds. That fan is REALLY noisy!

    Maybe this won't prove to be worth it, but it's a hobby right? (chuckle).
     
    farm1810, Jun 22, 2009
    #19
  20. Jun 22, 2009
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Gotcha. Just keep in mind that there's really no free lunch!

    In another thread one of our members here pointed out to me that the electric fan can draw 70 amps on startup, but about half that when running. The juice to run that fan has to come from the battery, and the alternator immediately tries to replace it and that takes horsepower also. YMMV. :)
     
    w3srl, Jun 22, 2009
    #20
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