SBC CONVERSION in 86 cj7

[bearsden]

Getting ready to purchase a radiator and exhaust manifolds for my conversion. I've been reading off and on for about 2 years now and am just looking for some current information on the cooling system and what people are using. I see huge price differences in choice of radiators, and not sure what to do. My sbc has a 7 blade belt driven fan currently. I was wanting to go with the ram horn exhaust (ceramic coated). Single exhaust out the back in the stock position. 700r Transmission is already in the jeep behind the stock motor which is how i bought it about 4 years ago. After a year i have the motor ready.It is stock.Q-jet carbed. I'm using the m.o.r.e. motor mounts.Just to mention i have a seperate tranny cooler for the 700r Transmission now mounted to the front of the stock radiator. I did look at novaks stuff but very pricey. And as you all know...already have quite a chunk into it. was just hoping to avoid stupid mistakes...thank you guys!!!

 

[Hedgehog]

Sorry to sound so darned ignorant. What are you needing advice on or about?

Conversion parts will basically always be pricey with NOVACK and Advanced Adaptors being the way to go as far as Jeep parts are concerned.

I know that a lot of jeepers like to go with electronic fans these days, but I'm a firm believer on keeping things as simple as possible. If a mechanical fan kept your engine cool before installing it, why won't it continue to keep it cool in your CJ? Radiators are all over the place as far as money is concerned. What you use is largely your choice. Just make sure it has enough surface area to keep your engine from over heating.

 

[mike270]

Getting ready to purchase a radiator and exhaust manifolds for my conversion. I've been reading off and on for about 2 years now and am just looking for some current information on the cooling system and what people are using. I see huge price differences in choice of radiators, and not sure what to do. My sbc has a 7 blade belt driven fan currently. I was wanting to go with the ram horn exhaust (ceramic coated). Single exhaust out the back in the stock position. 700r Transmission is already in the jeep behind the stock motor which is how i bought it about 4 years ago. After a year i have the motor ready.It is stock.Q-jet carbed. I'm using the m.o.r.e. motor mounts.Just to mention i have a seperate tranny cooler for the 700r Transmission now mounted to the front of the stock radiator. I did look at novaks stuff but very pricey. And as you all know...already have quite a chunk into it. was just hoping to avoid stupid mistakes...thank you guys!!!

I ran an aluminum 2 core direct fit with shroud (about $300) on my 327 sbc with a flex fan. The shroud is a big deal, don't go without it. Never got over 210F running it hard in the summer and normally about 180F. I've only used external coolers for the tranny.

My latest project is a 6.0 LS in my '84 and I intend to use the same setup.

 

[Dphillip]

Performance Radiator sells a really nice aluminum unit for sbc conversion on eBay. You can buy it with or without a electric fan and shroud. I ran an electric fan for years but the constant on and off when crawling down the trail drove me crazy. I converted back to a belt driven factor fan and a homemade fiberglass shroud and it's been worry free.

 

[bearsden]

I ran an aluminum 2 core direct fit with shroud (about $300) on my 327 sbc with a flex fan. The shroud is a big deal, don't go without it. Never got over 210F running it hard in the summer and normally about 180F. I've only used external coolers for the tranny.

My latest project is a 6.0 LS in my '84 and I intend to use the same setup.

Thank you !! That's what I'm wanting to know.Does it really matter on the cross flow verse the other? And I see different sizes as well.. Is any one brand better? I see 600.00 at Novak and 300.00 at jegs for what appears the same thing. I'm sure it's a you get what you pay for thing somehow... thanks again !

 

[bearsden]

Performance Radiator sells a really nice aluminum unit for sbc conversion on eBay. You can buy it with or without a electric fan and shroud. I ran an electric fan for years but the constant on and off when crawling down the trail drove me crazy. I converted back to a belt driven factor fan and a homemade fiberglass shroud and it's been worry free.

I will definitely look at that ! And I do not want to run an electric fan as well ,would like to stay with the belt driven , obviously if I had to I would. The abc I bought did not come with anything on it, and a buddy had a 18" 7 blade fan laying around, no clutch. Did some research and the motor is a 1978 so it looks like there was one on it at one time. So I'm still looking into that. And yes everything I read says definitely a shroud! Thank you!

 

[bearsden]

Sorry to sound so darned ignorant. What are you needing advice on or about?

Conversion parts will basically always be pricey with NOVACK and Advanced Adaptors being the way to go as far as Jeep parts are concerned.

I know that a lot of jeepers like to go with electronic fans these days, but I'm a firm believer on keeping things as simple as possible. If a mechanical fan kept your engine cool before installing it, why won't it continue to keep it cool in your CJ? Radiators are all over the place as far as money is concerned. What you use is largely your choice. Just make sure it has enough surface area to keep your engine from over heating.

yes I did read on other posts about having a minimum I believe of 400 in.². But the more posts I read, it seems like alot of the problems are in cooling and engine bay heat. So I was just basically asking what other people were using as far as brands go that are working for them. I will improvise if I have to, I got pretty good at that in the military ! Thanks hedgehog !

 

[bearsden]

I ran an aluminum 2 core direct fit with shroud (about $300) on my 327 sbc with a flex fan. The shroud is a big deal, don't go without it. Never got over 210F running it hard in the summer and normally about 180F. I've only used external coolers for the tranny.

My latest project is a 6.0 LS in my '84 and I intend to use the same setup.

And your project sounds like a blast !!!

 

[bearsden]

Performance Radiator sells a really nice aluminum unit for sbc conversion on eBay. You can buy it with or without a electric fan and shroud. I ran an electric fan for years but the constant on and off when crawling down the trail drove me crazy. I converted back to a belt driven factor fan and a homemade fiberglass shroud and it's been worry free.

Nice cj by the way!!!!!

 

[Dphillip]

Hey Bearsden, I said mine was a Performance Radiator but it was actually this one from Northern. Not the cheapest but it's been a great unit over the past 9 years with a lot of punishment on the trail.


NORTHERN 205054 73-86 JEEP CJ5 CJ7 ALUMINUM RADIATOR W/ CHEVY 350 V8 ENGINE SWAP | eBay

 

[Knighttime85]

Hey Bearsden, I said mine was a Performance Radiator but it was actually this one from Northern. Not the cheapest but it's been a great unit over the past 9 years with a lot of punishment on the trail.


NORTHERN 205054 73-86 JEEP CJ5 CJ7 ALUMINUM RADIATOR W/ CHEVY 350 V8 ENGINE SWAP | eBay

I went with the same radiator and the shroud kit for it. I have a belt driven fan, and I still get a little warm when riding the trails so I'm thinking about installing a 16" pusher that I have laying around.

 

[bearsden]

Hey Bearsden, I said mine was a Performance Radiator but it was actually this one from Northern. Not the cheapest but it's been a great unit over the past 9 years with a lot of punishment on the trail.


NORTHERN 205054 73-86 JEEP CJ5 CJ7 ALUMINUM RADIATOR W/ CHEVY 350 V8 ENGINE SWAP | eBay

i'll check it out !!! Thats what I'm looking for,a name of something that has worked and been reliable! thanks again !!!!!

 

[bearsden]

I went with the same radiator and the shroud kit for it. I have a belt driven fan, and I still get a little warm when riding the trails so I'm thinking about installing a 16" pusher that I have laying around.

I do here alot that there is some heating up on the trails, Igues i'll deal with that when and if it happens.....so many variables!!! Thanks !!!

 

[mike270]

Thank you !! That's what I'm wanting to know.Does it really matter on the cross flow verse the other? And I see different sizes as well.. Is any one brand better? I see 600.00 at Novak and 300.00 at jegs for what appears the same thing. I'm sure it's a you get what you pay for thing somehow... thanks again !

I think the statement of you get what you pay for is generally true, but in this case I'm not sure that it is accurate. They are both aluminum 1" core design. I can't see paying over $300 for this setup. The radiator experts will say crossflow is better, and most of the aftermarket radiators are cross flow design anyway.
I see a lot of suggestions on electric vs pulley driven on the fan. I think it comes down to how you use your Jeep. Personally, my club goes through a lot of deep water crossings and I've literally shredded all the blades off the hub of an electric fan when it hits the water so I will not go that way again but they do work great outside that. Everyone suggest to add a switch for water crossings which would work if I could remember to flip the switch

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The headers greatly add to under hood heat issues. A shroud is a must.
Look at adding a hood vent at the rear-center of your hood. You will be amazed how much heat comes from there, that gets trapped in that under hood 'pocket'.
A secondary electric 'pusher' fan would be good to have for low speed crawling, to cool the ATF fluid and move cooler air throughout the engine bay.
LG

 

[bearsden]

I think the statement of you get what you pay for is generally true, but in this case I'm not sure that it is accurate. They are both aluminum 1" core design. I can't see paying over $300 for this setup. The radiator experts will say crossflow is better, and most of the aftermarket radiators are cross flow design anyway.
I see a lot of suggestions on electric vs pulley driven on the fan. I think it comes down to how you use your Jeep. Personally, my club goes through a lot of deep water crossings and I've literally shredded all the blades off the hub of an electric fan when it hits the water so I will not go that way again but they do work great outside that. Everyone suggest to add a switch for water crossings which would work if I could remember to flip the switch

I went with the northern radiator and they also make a shroud kit for it and it is exactly what you said. Thank you so much for the info! i'm going to stay with the stock belt driven fan and hopefully that will be enough ,I will Start to install everything first of January . I can't wait! I will be posting as much as possible!

 

[bearsden]

The headers greatly add to under hood heat issues. A shroud is a must.
Look at adding a hood vent at the rear-center of your hood. You will be amazed how much heat comes from there, that gets trapped in that under hood 'pocket'.
A secondary electric 'pusher' fan would be good to have for low speed crawling, to cool the ATF fluid and move cooler air throughout the engine bay.
LG

I ended up going with the true Ramhorne exhaust manifolds it's ceramic coated,hopefully that will help with heat. I have that about venting the hood as well, and will more than Likely do that. I also want to thank you for all the posts that you reply to on this forum. When I search I get a lot of great info from all the help you have given people on the forum. I just wanted to thank you myself! I was going to go and work a little today but the weather is not cooperating! -26 wind chill! I fire up the wood burner early today!!!! Thanks again!

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The biggest reason this is such a great forum, is it's a team effort in helping all who post here. As many here have their own 'expertise'.
We ALL learn from each other on this site.
LG

 

[bearsden]

The biggest reason this is such a great forum, is it's a team effort in helping all who post here. As many here have their own 'expertise'.
We ALL learn from each other on this site.
LG

Amen brother!!!!!! Cheers to all you guys!