Should I replace grille with newer grille for engine swap?

I have a 58 CJ6 and I found a 1974 grill and new radiator for $175. I am installing a buick even fire v6 into my jeep and the current radiator is in sad shape. I am thinking about buying the grill and radiator to convert to a cheaper radiator and better cooling. Plus I would have more radiator to fan clearance. What are your thoughts on this? From what I can tell this is a direct swap.

 

Nice thing about the swap is I have another guy buying all my origional parts I am taking off the jeep to turn his jeep back to stock. It works out the upgrades saginaw steering, seats, different grill ect are not costing me much out of pocket and both of us are happy with the deal. I just want to make sure I don't regret doing some of this down the road.

 

Makes it easier for an electric fan. I put a fan on my 71 and had to search awhile to find one skinny enuf to fit. If you go electric it will give you more room.

 

The jeep was rusted out when I started so I decided origionality wasn't a concern. I just want the fun factor of being able to take the family out. I am going to go and buy the grill and radiator this weekend. For now I am going to run the mechanical fan. But I do have a twin electrical fan out of a 92 subaru I might try since I will have a larger radiator surface area. It has been a never ending story and buying and selling parts to make the jeep into what I want.

BKD what size tires are on your CJ6?

 

it's not a direct swap
the later grille bolts to a tab on the front side of the crossmember
the early grille mounts on the engine side of the crossmember
you'll have nothing there to mount it to
a mount will have to be fabbed up if I recall.
just a heads up

 

Thanks! I could weld a plate to the front with the correct hole position. With everything else I am doing I think this would be a easy mod to do.

 

I'm in the process of the same thing. I haven't got far enough to know all the details but it looks like I'll have to either notch front cross member for the lower radiator hose or remove the cross member all together. Will depend on where the radiator ends up. Original radiator sits to the rear of the cross member. New grille sets it farther forward.

 

I really don't want to remove the crossmember so now I will have to think about this before I buy the stuff. I just assumed this would be a minor bracket change but otherwise everything else would work without much mods.

 

maybe look at a 72-75 CJ before you do this.
I don't think it's minor because of the fab work.

 

If you're putting a V6 in your Jeep I think you'll wind up with the fan very far from the radiator. If you use an electric fan then no biggie, with a standard engine-driven fan you'll probably want to fab up a shroud.

 

no, just waiting for you to show up and explain the procedure.

 

Well after this weekend I had an easy answer. The guy I was buying the parts from wouldn't return my calls all last week and finally my wife called Saturday and he answered. He sold the parts that day to someone else. I was trying to set up a time to come and pick the parts up. Oh well. This answered my question on what I should do. No parts no conversion.

 

The grills on early cj5 vary between the 4 and 6 cylinder. It's the length back to the radiator mine are about 3/4" different between the 4 and 6. The one for V6 buts the radiator closer to the front. After my convervision my radiator sets about 3/8" from the fan.

 

That's right ... the Dauntless powered CJ's use a distinct grille guard from the Hurricane CJ's.
Also the 1971 CJ's use another distinct grill gaurd variation with an integral hood safety catch. This grille is sloped.... to boot.
These V-6 grills are 7-1/4" deep with a 2" mountng recess.

FYI... I have two V-6 grills available on CL St. Louis.