How do I? Radiator Selection

[oldcj7guy]

Looking for recommendation for a radiator for my 1979 CJ7 . I'm putting a 5.3L LS in it with a 4L60E Transmission . I'm going to want the radiator, electric fans, and Transmission cooler. I see a lot of options, but looking for advice if available.

 

[TSB8C]

Many folks will tell you to use a separate tranny cooler for an auto and not the built-in cooler in the radiator. I won't dispute that logic, but will say that my personal experience has seen no issue with doing this. I have a 4-core aluminum radiator will built-in tranny cooler from Be Cool and dual electric fans from a Ford Contour. I have a 420HP SBC 350 engine and 700R4 auto tranny and no issues with cooling it. Of course for an LS swap, you need a different radiator than I used. US Radiator has a great option for old CJ's doing an LS swap. Wizard Cooling is another good one; and Be Cool is another, which is what I used. I then made my own overflow bottle with an aluminum canister. Stay away from the cheap junk all over eBay or Amazon. Get a good qualify aluminum job that has the extra vent connection for LS engines. Most of these options can also be ordered with electric fans and shrouds. I chose not to use a shroud/fan setup from the radiator supplier. I went with a dual electric fan setup from a Ford Contour because of the exact fit, included shroud, and the built-in dual speed control. Rather than the fans just kick on all at once on the highest speed and tax the electrical system, I have mine wired to kick on lower speed at one temp and then go to higher speed if needed at a higher temp. My ECU already supported that functionality built-in and with user programmable temp settings when the different speeds kick in. So two high-amp relays connected to the existing built-in resistor block in the Contour fan shroud is all I had to add. And the stock connectors are widely available. No expensive fan control unit or other add-ons needed.

 

[Turbogus]

I used the Dual Electric Fans on 'Black Betty' that I got from a V8 HO Mercury Mystique (aka Ford Contour) with homegrown wiring, switches and relays with the help of an excellent wiring diagram from John Strenk. It indeed fits like a custom, I was blown away. After a long diagnosis, trial and error this finally got my overheating in the Oregon summer under control.

 

[jzak]

I've got a Champion 4-core radiator, which was a game changer compared to the old copper radiator. Everything else is factory, and I never get above 190, even in the hottest days. If your coming from the Pacific NW, I doubt you'll need electric fans and tranny cooler.

 

[CJ]

I've got a Champion 4-core radiator, which was a game changer compared to the old copper radiator. Everything else is factory, and I never get above 190, even in the hottest days. If your coming from the Pacific NW, I doubt you'll need electric fans and tranny cooler.

View attachment 104786

Cool!
Imagine how good it would work if you had a shroud...

 

[Belizean]

I run a 2 core from Summit and it hangs where it should. 195 degrees. I also like having 2 temp gages. Factory and a VDO gage.

 

[Project86]

Trusty Rusty runs a 3 core (IIRC) radiator, the biggest cfm Derale fan, Transmission cooler, and small LED light that lets me know when the fan comes on.

Electric Fans

Electric Fans. Read more

derale.com

 

[RustyRed81]

Not gonna suggest source or anything for radiator not already suggested by Jeeper guys with more experience than I. But if you are thinking shroud as was commented above let me tell you about a friend. I come from little British classic cars and a friend took a big block of styro foam carved it to fit his MGB with V8. Then he painted it with water based and laid up fiber glass strips. When the way he wanted he cut and sanded styro out...outside. Cross laid strips and then trimmed and sanded it. Fit beautifully in his little car. My suggestion is skip that and get electric fans!!!

 

[CJ]

Not gonna suggest source or anything for radiator not already suggested by Jeeper guys with more experience than I. But if you are thinking shroud as was commented above let me tell you about a friend. I come from little British classic cars and a friend took a big block of styro foam carved it to fit his MGB with V8. Then he painted it with water based and laid up fiber glass strips. When the way he wanted he cut and sanded styro out...outside. Cross laid strips and then trimmed and sanded it. Fit beautifully in his little car. My suggestion is skip that and get electric fans!!!

That's a good way making a custom shroud. I am still in the category of ditching the mechanical fan and installing the Ford Contour type dual fan and shroud. It fits perfect, seals the radiator, can be wired to use one fan then switch on the second if needed or always use both and there are many full kits already pre wired if you don't want to do the work.
I scavenged my fans from a junk yard for $15 a piece.

 

[RustyRed81]

well I am in the final stages of resurrecting a somewhat abused CJ5 that had lots of entertainment opportunities.
Stock cooling system except bypassed heater core. No top, sides doors, Florida, no heater needed. Not sure I will ever need to upgrade cooling as the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l runs cool, rough but cool.

 

[Belizean]

well I am in the final stages of resurrecting a somewhat abused CJ5 that had lots of entertainment opportunities.
Stock cooling system except bypassed heater core. No top, sides doors, Florida, no heater needed. Not sure I will ever need to upgrade cooling as the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l runs cool, rough but cool.

Well I keep my heating system functional mainly because the defroster dries the gauges out. I live in high humidity and 15 minutes of defrost clears them up. Otherwise they are fogged up.