correct me if I am wrong here - frankinstien radiator

the origonal and the spare radiators I have for the jeep (64 cj5) leak - thought I had one - then I flushed one last time and she is definatly leaking - tried my hand at soldering the fins - forget it - wasted 9 hrs.

so - I have a grill and radiator from a 78cj7, It cooled a 304.

I would need to use the new grill since the radiator is so much larger, it won't bolt up to my 64 grill.

I could patch the TS holes on the 78 grill to get my smaller signals to fit. Of course this is not a bone stock restoration either - I just like the origonal grill better.

anyone see a problem with this?

 

Personally I would get a new radiator, in the end it will be cheaper and look better too.

 

Or look into a recore.
Re cored mine, 50 bucks less than new, looks new.

 

as part of my options today, I have been searching who even Has a radiator for this applicaiton - most go back to 72, others will manufacture a new one to meet the requirments - buy I like my youngest child and my right arm.

not saying I would never have the cash to get one - eventually yeah - and i could switch the grill back then - my only concern was being over cooled - should not be a problem as the thermostat controls the temp and this option is free

 

just patch the radiator with some JB Stick Weld. I do it everytime a get a leak (wrench, stick) and havn't had a problem yet. cost 3 bucks or so and works instantly.

 

x2

I got mine re-cored at a dedicated radiator repair shop. Instead of just a patch, I asked them if they had any higher performance cores. I think they put in a late model mustang core in between my tanks, though it was just generic radiator stock fins. My old PTO winch generated lots of heat. I forgot how much it cost.. 100 or 150 bucks? They did a fantastic job, in like 3 or 5 days, and it uses every last sq inch of the grill of my CJ. Maybe even a little taller.

btw, I'm convinced the more open flames and caustic open vats, the higher the quality of the radiator shop. Also bearded old guys in dirty jeans with one or two word answers while they play with fire.

I asked them what kind of custom jobs they do; if you think yours is frankinstien-strange.... they had tractor or forklift radiators in the shop, which had big PTO shaft holes through the radiator. They also very large radiators, like maybe from an 18 wheeler.

 

:iagree: A re-core or having it rodded and re-soldered are certainly options but I am biased towards the new radiator because I have had bad luck with those types of repairs, Its hard to find a shop or individual that really knows what their doing.
I would go with whatever is free for the moment until I could afford a new radiator or had the time to find a shop with a really good reputation and could talk to some of their customers that had similar work performed that has been in service for at least two years.
I agree with you that overcooling wont be a problem in this case.

 

thanks for the input folks - I have a dedicated shop here in town, one of the only ones around for this stuff so Monopoly comes into play. They do great work, I just think sometimes the cost is directly related to the condition of the owners wallet, guess that is why he is the OWNER ha ha. Swingin by there this morning with the radiator to at least get an estimate. If it is doable, will do - if not, have the free option. Still haven't found a source for a new one.

 

Show up to his shop driving your jeep with the leaky radiator. If he realizes how much it costs to keep an old jeep together (especially with the requisite upgrades) he may feel sorry for you and cut ya a break.

 

HA - not hardly - dude would see dollar signs - cost me 70 bucks to have the radiators looked at - and they can't be fixed - guy said a recore would be over 350 bucks since the price of brass has sored - my ars is sore - looks like I will be going with the other grill and radiator for the 304 for the time being.

 

You had to pay to have them looked at.
I got mine re-cored 2 years ago for $254. Brass hasn't sored like copper has and no way has it gone up that much. Heck there ain't 10Lbs of brass in a radiator. You could probably mail the thing out of state and have it shipped back and save money over his price.

 

the later grille mounts differntly than the early grilles
FYI

 

x2 :iagree: cant believe he charged you to look at them

 

Yep I would have walked right then. IIRC the Toyota Pickup rads are almost the exact same size as your old rad and the outlets are correct.

 

too much cooling may be a issue,i replaced the radiator in my pickup with a 3 core,dont have very good heater now,and the engine runs cooler than normal,but not enough to hurt it,and that is with the hottest thermostat i can get,get on a long pull with a heavy load though and it will heat up to normal

 

You might look around Craigslist and ebay. I bought an intermediate V8 radiator off Craigslist in August for $50! (Against my better judgement I bought it because it was a great price . . . not because I needed it!) Since then I've seen a couple more for $75 or less.

 

yeah - I'm a bit smoked that I'm going to have to pay for the "Look at" - especially since on one of them, I tried to bypass the leaking tubes by cutting them out and soldering over teh holes. - that one was definatly toasted. - why they ever tanked it to "look at it" goes beyond reason - but they are the only game around.

didn't know the Toyota radiator were close - got teh new grill repaired and should be able to install it in the am

as for the grill mounting diferently, I shal see in the am what I will need to get into with bolting it between the fenders - looked close as for the curveture - if the holse don't line up, I have a drill

As for what I did to the 78 cj7 grill, here goes:

Up close - notice the LARGE TURN SIGNAL HOLES - they will go bye bye

Couple shots of the cancer in lower corner - quick patch job here


Paper pattern

 

cutin out sheet metal - this junk air hood should do the trick :2thumbsup:

Clamped up patch - boy I like self tappin screw to hold sheet metal on a curve

all welded up


It's Primer time:drool:

 

Remember this???