'86 CJ7 radiator for a good price?

[Jeeper42]

I'm looking for a standard replacement radiator for a 1986 CJ7 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l Manual Transmission .

Most I've found have been around $250 but the local repair place wants $300 to rebuild mine.

Is that surprising to see the cost of a new one less than rebuilding?

Does anyone know where I might find a new one for even less than $250?

I'm not looking for anything high performance just a standard OEM replacement.

Thanks for the input,
Jeeper42

 

[elwood blues]

I'm going to take a stab at this and say that the local place is charging you $300 to repair your OEM radiator because it is all metal including the tank. The new one you are looking at is probably cheaper because it is mostly plastic, or made in China...

I ran into the same thing a year or so ago when I replaced my rad, I actually pulled mine and took it to a radiator shop and the guy told me that it had been refurbished once before and wasn't worth doing again, I had them there order me a new one, it was a little more than $300, but that was okay, because they ordered me a good all metal one.

 

[Jeeper42]

Yes, the one I wanted to have repaired was an OEM.

I'm pretty much a noob at this so forgive the questions but I've found several 3 core radiators for under 200.
How many cores did the OEM radiator have?

Is there a problem with an all aluminum replacement radiator like this guy is selling on ebay?

I'm not trying to go ultra cheep here but I just don't need a racing radiator either.
I'm not going to be pushing my Jeep to the wall just enjoying an occasional run through the two-tracks in the back woods.

Jeeper42

 

[elwood blues]

This thread answers a couple of your questions.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/stock-radiator-core-17535/

My personal opinion is to NOT use an aluminum radiator, aluminum does not transfer heat like copper/brass radiator does.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0211_aluminum_or_copper_radiator_for_your_car/viewall.html