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aluminum radiator swap questions

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by piffey263, Aug 12, 2013.

  1. piffey263

    piffey263 Active Member

    Hi guys, been looking all over the site and google for ideas.

    I read patrick's thread
    http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?89027-Aluminum-radiator/page2

    I got the radiator and fits great, looks great. However, im not sure what to do about the lower radiator hose?

    I got about 1 1/2 clearence tell the belt.
    [​IMG]


    tried my luck at autoparts store and this is what I ended up with, the hose keeps trying to kink and doesn't go behind oil filter.

    I used to run a flex hose that routed behind the oil filter and then to water pump but this wouldn't work.

    [​IMG]

    I think im approaching this the wrong way.. so any ideas? some one told me use pvc? I saw online someone use exhaust tubing but this was on a car. would it crack?

    If i use exhaust tubing would it be fine without a bead around it to hold hose?


    my other question is I got eletric fan too, someone told me using the plastic clips threw radiator is fine for driving around but not good for offroading.
    looking threw the thread on the radiator install could I just take some strips of aluminium and get a flat bolt (correct name) and then mount to radiator and not worry about it? I was told to get an aluminium shroud for it but was wondering if I can get away with less money :)
     
  2. supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    im using a aluminum mustage radiator and had to use one of those universal hoses with metal coil inside that look like a vacum cleaner hose. the coil helps reduce kinking. i think i used a 10" or 12" long hose and it barely fit without kinking and clears the belts. ill get a pic if you want to see the routing.

    i still havnt driven the jeep yet so i dont know about the plastic fan clips holding up.
     
  3. PieLut

    PieLut Member

    You could have a fab shop cut the outlet off and re-weld at an angle. This would fix your clearance issue and allow you to run a hose without a kink.
     
  4. tarry99

    tarry99 Member


    Like Pielut suggested .....one method is to have that bottom hose come out with a 90 degree angle facing towards the right front tire and up a few degrees as mentioned in option #1.........the hose then becomes a simple U from there to the water pump.
    Options: 1)get an aluminum 90 degree fitting and weld it on at the correct angle..............2) Go to Summit or Jegs and look at there "Gates" pre-molded 90 degree hose's......It may take two sections put together with a copper or aluminum sleeve to get back to the water pump 3) Go to a good parts house and see if they will let you gaze through there complete inventory of hoses on the wall or in there book..............I have found many hoses that were pre-molded for whatever application that fit quite nicely by trimming off a piece at either end............make sure you check the sizes as some come with different sizes at each end.
     
  5. duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    What I did for my 3B facing a similar problem (but it wasn't the oil filter). If you have a decent machine shop available, it takes about 10 minutes and costs maybe $25. One very nice feature of a welded aluminum radiator.
     
  6. piffey263

    piffey263 Active Member

    I will take another look at my radiator and see about droping by the only fab shop there is in town, will look into the gates rubber things too.

    thanks for offer supertrooper, I just looked at your build and you got more clearence (diffrent grill), I got one of those flex houses from the pinto radiator I pulled out and I can't move the radiator towards passengar tire anymore than it is. Nice build by the way.

    I will keep you guys updated