Radiator needs replacement

[jeffjjeep]

Radiator on my 57 truck is leaking.....anyone had experience with the inexpensive aluminum replacements?

[gmwillys]

I haven't tried one as of yet. I see them advertised on the ePay, and wondered myself if they were worth the low cost. t is getting harder to find a good radiator shop around due to the craftsman retiring and nobody is taking up the trade. The chemicals that they used to use is now banned due to the environmental hazards involved, and the new improved chemicals do not cut through the crud.

[bmorgil]

gmwillys, I am facing a similar dilemma. I have a nice looking original radiator. I am sure it needs to be gone through. Back in the day the local shop "rod'ed out" the core, "boiled it" and re-soldered etc. As you noted, I am having a tough time finding a shop now in this millennium. Are their any good trusted "mail order" shops? I see that KW does offer a new retro. Wow it is expensive. I hate to buy one when I appear to have such a nice rebuild-able one. Like jeffjeep, I wonder if you just put in the aluminum and call it an upgrade. Kind of kills the "original" concept.

On a positive note, the aluminum is a much better material for a radiator however. Much quicker heat transfer. Very easy to repair. Hope someone has experience with the aluminum's to share.

[gmwillys]

The best advice would be to ask around at your local professional parts dealers, (not Autozone or one of the chain stores). NAPA or any store that performs machining services would be my first go to. They typically have an older guy that knows how to get things done. You can also check with your local body shops that deal in restorations rather than collision repair as well. They would know who you have locally that can do the job right the first time. Just taking a stab in the dark, I put into Google radiator shops in Northwestern Ohio, and came up with one place that may be close to your general location;

https://www.archboldradiator.com/

I would be uneasy about sending out my original radiator through the mail, and hope that it would come back in one piece.

I have used aluminum radiators in the past for some high horse power race engines, and was happy with the performance, as long as we ran race fuel. If we ran alcohol, the radiator was too efficient, and would have to cover portions of the front nose to limit air flow to keep the temp warm enough to run consistently. We used Griffin Radiators, but they were rather expensive. They handled the abuse rather well, with little to no issues. With that being said, I looked into the reviews for the radiators being sold on eBay, and they are mixed. The side mounting brackets do not tend to line up with you existing mounts seems to be the biggest issue, followed by the lower nipple being not angled correctly to use your stock size hose. Other than that, nobody claimed they had issues with the actual construction of the rad.

[bmorgil]

Thanks gmwillys, I found a local shop here in Toledo. He only does big industrial anymore. He is old enough to remember how to do an old radiator however. His advice was to clean it and pressure check it first. If the core is not repairable... all bets are off! $500 for a new repro isn't so bad at all.

[gmwillys]

You may check with Willys Overland in Toledo as well. They used to stock OEM parts, but have since sold off a lot of their stock. They have focused more on the Repli-Tub Jeep bodies, but may be worth a look if yours is too far gone.

https://www.willysoverland.com/

[Nemo von Klepper]

So...
On a similar thread, I need a new radiator. A local shop says they can re-core my original for about $550 --estimated before pressure checking to see if it's a more minor problem. KW has one for $565 new. Is there any sound reason for me to have my original radiator repaired over getting a replica? Also regarding aluminum: I've been trying to keep my jeep looking as original as possible. Would substituting a cheaper aluminum radiator be too big a compromise in anyone's opinion? I imagine there could be a lot of pluses going to an aluminum radiator.

For anyone in the Pacific NW that needs radiator repair, Macs Radiator, https://www.macsradiator.com, is three generation family owned, reputable, will seemingly re-core or fabricate anything and they have multiple locations from Boise, ID to Portland or Eugene, OR.

[Nemo von Klepper]

So...

In a similar vein, I sent my radiator in to see about getting an estimate for rebuilding. It turns out that rebuilding it will cost me about the same as buying a new one from KW. I'd like to keep my jeep as original looking as possible. Any thoughts as to whether rebuilding my radiator or replacing it is preferable?
Also, what are the thoughts on an aluminum radiator?

[gmwillys]

If your tanks are good, as per their inspection, then I would have it re-cored. I personally like the original radiator in my 2A, and have even gone as far as to strip the lifetime of black paint off to expose the copper underneath, (of the top tank). If the time comes where I have an issue with it leaking, I will have it repaired and acid dipped to remove all the paint. The look would suit the rest of the Heep.

[LarrBeard]

"When I did the truck" ...

My old radiator was so far gone I decided to go with a new aluminum radiator. I was able to find a bottom mount, probably CJ-2A radiator, at Willys Overland in Toledo just as he was going out of the Jeep parts business. Of course, the radiator wasn't exactly like the truck radiator, so we took what was left of the old fan shroud, made some parts and pieces to fit around them and it looks almost like it belongs in there.

I worried about a "little Jeep" radiator cooling the truck until I had a flash that told me "Duhhh, it's the same engine - dummy!" Yep, it keeps it right at 165-degrees with no issues and no leaks. I don't like the plastic drain cock on the bottom though.

Having said that .... after all of the work it took to make it fit, I'd have been better off taking the radiator to the guy over in Warsaw and have him build a new core. I like the brass tanks too. I think the old radiator is still in the bullpen over at the shop and I may salvage it ....

[Nemo von Klepper]

Thanks, those are all good points.

For what it's worth, Mac's Radiator in Oregon/Idaho will build anything you like in aluminum (or rebuild what you have, if possible). They have a radiator for a '47 Dodge Power Wagon on their sales floor that they say they built from 2015 Dodge truck parts. They also fab overflow tanks which I may consider when I get further along.

[bmorgil]

Similar info from my radiator shop. I have a very nice original CJ3A radiator. Brass tanks and all. It looks real good. No leaking stains, dents, bent fins etc. Just old. It failed the pressure check. Needs a core. I was told it could not be done for $500. My man told me to buy the new one from KW.

On another note, from what I have found so far the aluminum CJ3A replacements run the gambit from $100 to $500. None of them appear to accept the fan shroud. KW states on theirs the shroud is not required. I would agree that an aluminum radiator will certainly perform well with no shroud. I like the shroud however. I also like my fingers which at my age, tend to drift into moving objects. I am going to put on the all out effort to find an aluminum one that will take my shroud or, try to find someone who will re-core mine for a reasonable fee. I will call the persons mentioned above. LarrBeard, do you have a shop near you? I would drive it there if they could do it for an affordable charge.

This is a good read on the subject from another forum. http://www.cj3apage.com/cgi-bin/3Ayabb26/YaBB.pl?num=1376456433

[gmwillys]

Another option could be to find a Fab shop that can make an aluminum shroud to fit the radiator.

[bmorgil]

I haven't made any calls yet but, just looking online, all the the CJ3A radiators have the top hose right in the middle of the radiator. That puts the fan shroud right through the middle of it. It needs to be on the drivers side of the radiator, the factory location. There are also no provisions for the shroud. I am not sure how the location would affect vehicles other than the CJ3A.

A fab shop would be a good choice. I have had the hose lines moved before. On a "Griffin" in a race car. I know you are familiar with that brand gmwillys, nice radiators! If I had the top hose moved and a shroud bracket fab'ed up, it might work out. There are welded core Aluminum radiators for less than $125. That leaves a lot of room for the fab shop.

[bmorgil]

Just got off the phone. This is looking like a broken record. It's $500 to fix it up. $500 for a new Repro. $110 to $399 for an Aluminum that may or may not fit without modifications. Looks like on CJ3A's extensive modifications. It also appears on some trucks and CJ2's they bolt right in.

[LarrBeard]

You asked: "LarrBeard, do you have a shop near you? "

While the '48 was in the shop, the owner invited me to come look in a custom car hauler parked in the secure yard. He asked me to take off my belt so I had nothing that might scratch some paint work.

In the trailer was , as I remember it, a 1936 Supercharged Cord. It had an aluminum 12-cylinder Lycoming engine and a 10X gear driven supercharger. The problem was that with modern fuel it ran too hot and the owner needed a radiator that looked like the original but had about half-again or twice the cooling capacity. (By the way, the car looked like Clark Gable had just stepped out of it. I didn't scratch the paint, but I think I drooled on the leather).

But, the stuff that matters to us was that Mr. Murray, the shop owner, had sent the original radiator to a shop in Warsaw, Indiana to get a look-alike made.

Mr. Google says there is one significant radiator shop in Warsaw:

Ab & Tom's Radiator Repair Inc
2314 W Old Road 30
Warsaw, IN 46580-8774
(574) 269-3485

Give them a call, tell them what you need. All they can say is "No" - and I suspect you've been told "No" before. If you decide to make a road trip, stop by New Haven and we'll look at the truck and get a burger at Rack and Helen's.

[bmorgil]

Credentials noted! I will call first thing tomorrow. I think it sounds tempting for just the ride and, I'll buy the burger! That is a truly bitchin' truck.

[LarrBeard]

That is a truly bitchin' truck.

There are times when it is truly just a cranky old b.... . But, when you're 71-years old, that's allowed, expected and tolerated.

[jeffjjeep]

Received a radiator from Champion today. Model CC60WL. While I had some reservations about fit, it turns out I had extra mounts on the radiator in the truck and that this one fit perfectly to the old , what I think are, original brackets. The angled lower outlet makes sense as it routes the hose away from the fan. The upper is offset but not by much and should not pose a fit issue. With a slight bending of the grill support rod, everything fit back correctly. Included a radiator cap and came to less than $250 with shipping.

41804181

Don't know why the pics are upside down............

[bmorgil]

I also just found one that is a correct fit for my CJ3A. https://www.vintagejeepparts.com/products/648328%252dAluminum_All-Aluminum-Radiator-Assembly-%252d-USA-Made%2C-Fits-46%252d64-CJ%252d3A%2C-3B%2C-Truck%2C-Station-Wagon%2C-Jeepster.html

It looks like I will be able to fit the shroud with a little fab work. I will update.

UPDATE:

Just received this Champion for my CJ3A. It looks perfect. Should bolt right in. Critical measurements match the original. Very nice. Good price. The water outlets are correct in location and size. The width is perfect for the shroud to slide right on. The height and bottom are nearly exact.I think these Champions are very well made. All welded. Included a nice cap. Nicely polished.