74 CJ 304 Temp issues

Guys i have been a lurker on here for yrs just poping in occasionally to find stuff for my dad. We rebuilt a 1 owned 1974 CJ-5 Renegade with a 304 V8 back in the Mid to late 90's. It wasnt a full restore but it was taken down to the frame to fix the body,etc. Since the rebuild it was only used for Sunday rides, occasional trip to school, etc...and only has 4400 miles. Motor was gone through etc. Basically it was a few yrs long project we worked on that to this day has me owning multiple Jeeps, and i enjoyed every minute of it. In any case the time has come and after getting married it was turned over to me. until this past 2 wks it has barely moved in the last 3 yrs. So for the past wknd i had to deal with stuck brakes, etc in order to get it road ready .

I remember it only running at the most 1/2 way on the temp gauge, as does my dad. I think with it just idling when i picked it up 2 wks ago it only did that much.The radiator has started to leak, and 2 freeze plugs were leaking. This wknd after addressing the brakes i installed 2 rubber freeze plugs, 1 of the metal plugs got knocked into the cyl head and wasnt able to retrieved out. I didnt think it would be that big a deal. But now after doing that and the radiator and hoses all at the same time, it wants to run at 3/4 or slightly more of the guage band. I know the parts store gave me the regular 3 row radiator when i asked for what was supposed to be the heat buster version from Oreillys, but none the less even with an old leaking radiator it never ran that hot. any suggestions..i dont think its the guage just cause it worked fine 2 wks ago in the yard idling, and now doing the same it gets warmer. I am just worried sick that maybe either the knocked in plug is the issue or maybe its just the radiator.

It has no shroud, never has had one since we bought it in 95...i have been thinking about getting one though to help.

 

depending on where the plugged dropped in the head at, could cause problems. I have never been a big fan of the rubber plugs, great band aid to get down the road but not for long term fixes. The old radiator you took out looked the exact same as new one correct? What are the hose temps coming out of top of the engine and the temps on the botom entering engine? (temp guns work great for this)

 

I have corrected the problem....after pulling the new radiator due to being given the wrong one, i picked up the "Heat Buster" i was supposed to have had as well. At the same time i decided to go ahead and install a new fan clutch. When i took out he radiator i removed the rubber freeze plugs and got my finger and there and found the old metal one had not even budged. I reinstalled the rubber freeze plugs, installed the larger radiator i had originally ordered, and the new clutch fan. She is running like she always has now.

 

I don't know about a 74, but 73 models did not come out with a fan shroud. I have looked for one - not even listed on parts list for a 73 - does anyone know if a later model shroud will fit a 73?

 

You should be able to use shrouds from other intermediate years. I now have the contour fan conversion and LOVE it. One fan comes on at 190 and the other at 210. Cooling troubles due to shrouds, clutches and metal blades are a thing of the past. The cost was about the same as a new shroud and a fan clutch.

 

Pretty sure the '73 304 with HD cooling had a shroud.

As mentioned previously, a shroud for a '74 or '75 will fit. May not be the same PN as a '73 shroud, but it will fit.

 

Off topic-
ConstantJoy, keep that woman of yours happy (love the quote in your sig)

On topic- I'm glad to hear the Contour fan works well for you. I picked up one at the salvage yard and can't believe how well it fits the radiator...almost like it was made for it.

 

Not to hijack this thread but is this what you are refering to?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/B9-9...s?hash=item23026e4610&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116
Is there a temp sending unit sold seperatly ?

 

No. It's a double fan. There's a good pic of it here: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582629