AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => Cooling System => Topic started by: vangremlin on December 28, 2013, 09:58:37 PM

Title: New radiator installation
Post by: vangremlin on December 28, 2013, 09:58:37 PM
My radiator had been leaking by the upper hose, so I decided to put in one of those CJ aluminum radiators that captspillane uses.  I probably could have gotten the old one fixed, but those aluminum ones just look so good!!!

Here is a peek inside the old radiator, you can see some gunk in there:

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/IMG_00000688_zps0ad5142f.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/IMG_00000688_zps0ad5142f.jpg.html)

Old vs. new

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/IMG_00000691_zpsb5d21e1c.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/IMG_00000691_zpsb5d21e1c.jpg.html)

New mounting holes drilled to make it work with the Eagle.  When measuring the locations of the holes, make sure to compare the holes on the old one in relation to the top of the neck, not just the top of the body of the radiator.  The neck sticks up a lot higher on these aluminum ones, and I had to switch to a regular radiator cap instead of the pressure relief one I had been using in order to get the hood to close:

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/IMG_00000695_zps6f0e47c1.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/IMG_00000695_zps6f0e47c1.jpg.html)

Stock lower hose doesn't line up with new radiator, not only horizontally but vertically also as the new radiator outlet slopes up at a pretty good angle

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/IMG_00000696_zps32187aa6.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/IMG_00000696_zps32187aa6.jpg.html)

Upper hose doesn't line up either, I ended up going with a flexible 15.5" hose, 1.5" diameter. Check out Continental 52415.

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/IMG_00000698_zps19fa9fa5.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/IMG_00000698_zps19fa9fa5.jpg.html)

For new lower hose, I followed anrkii's suggestion and got 1.75" and 1.5" hoses with 90 degree bends, joined together with an adaptor from jagsthatrun.com.  It takes a lot of test fitting and cutting to make it all fit, but its doable.

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/IMG_00000700_zps152e85a9.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/IMG_00000700_zps152e85a9.jpg.html)

Finished product.  Everything fits together and nothing leaks:     :occasion14:

(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/brilliantd/kammback/IMG_00000701_zps51eb88cc.jpg) (http://s62.photobucket.com/user/brilliantd/media/kammback/IMG_00000701_zps51eb88cc.jpg.html)
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: eaglebeek on December 28, 2013, 10:06:00 PM
That radiator looks really good!

The new radiator appears thicker than the stock Eagle radiator. Does it have a 3- or 4-row core? Are you going to use the fan shroud?
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: IowaEagle on December 28, 2013, 10:17:32 PM
What did you use for trans cooler fittings?  Or do you have a manual trans?
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: vangremlin on December 29, 2013, 09:24:44 AM
That radiator looks really good!

The new radiator appears thicker than the stock Eagle radiator. Does it have a 3- or 4-row core? Are you going to use the fan shroud?

It is thicker than the stock radiator.  It's only a 2 row, but the additional thickness gives additional cooling capacity.  I'm not sure the fan shroud will fit.  If you look at the mounting bracket, you'll see that the new one doesn't go up as high as on the stock radiator, which is where the shroud mounts.  I'll probably run it without the shroud and try to install it if I have any problems.  I doubt that I will, as the needle barely made it into the operating range even with the old radiator.

What did you use for trans cooler fittings?  Or do you have a manual trans?

I just transferred the fittings from the old radiator over.  Everything lines up without a problem.
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: Monkeyjoe on December 29, 2013, 11:05:56 AM
Box up your old radiator and send it to Colonial Radiator in San Antonio Texas.  If I remember correct it is on Commerce Street.  They will pull your radiator apart, boil it, "Rod" it, (that is where they run a flat thin rod thru every single ribbon, then they reassemble and pressure test, and paint, all for about $60 or 70 bucks. they have a very fast turn-around of 2-3 days.  They also have a 1 year warranty on their work.  I have not been in Texas for about 7 years but they have been there forever.  They do great work. 

Then you will have a "like new" backup.

They turned my 1967 Scout 800 Radiator from a 2 row to a three row for $69.00  that gives me 50% more cooling when I am off-roading.
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: IowaEagle on December 29, 2013, 11:26:03 AM
We need to reinvigorate the member approved vendors board to save great stuff like this in one place.
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: vangremlin on December 29, 2013, 11:26:36 AM
Box up your old radiator and send it to Colonial Radiator in San Antonio Texas.  If I remember correct it is on Commerce Street.  They will pull your radiator apart, boil it, "Rod" it, (that is where they run a flat thin rod thru every single ribbon, then they reassemble and pressure test, and paint, all for about $60 or 70 bucks. they have a very fast turn-around of 2-3 days.  They also have a 1 year warranty on their work.  I have not been in Texas for about 7 years but they have been there forever.  They do great work. 

Then you will have a "like new" backup.

They turned my 1967 Scout 800 Radiator from a 2 row to a three row for $69.00  that gives me 50% more cooling when I am off-roading.

Thanks for the suggestion.  I have a local radiator shop that I use not only for radiators but for cleaning and repairing gas tanks.  I think I'll drop this one off with them so I'll have a backup.
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: captspillane on December 30, 2013, 04:25:32 AM
These aluminum radiators have such sex appeal. They"re downright sexy!
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: rollguy on December 30, 2013, 11:54:48 AM
Box up your old radiator and send it to Colonial Radiator in San Antonio Texas.  If I remember correct it is on Commerce Street.  They will pull your radiator apart, boil it, "Rod" it, (that is where they run a flat thin rod thru every single ribbon, then they reassemble and pressure test, and paint, all for about $60 or 70 bucks. they have a very fast turn-around of 2-3 days.  They also have a 1 year warranty on their work.  I have not been in Texas for about 7 years but they have been there forever.  They do great work. 

Although most radiator shops used to boil out and rod radiators often (they all used to be copper and brass), that service is not available in most shops nowadays.  Most radiators are plastic and aluminum, and the shops that use the chemicals and processes for dealing with brass and copper radiators are getting scarce because of environmental concerns and the cost for such chemicals.  If you have a shop in your city that has been around for decades, then chances are they can handle your pre-90's radiator.  Also, many shops do not have "boiler tanks" or "hot tanks" anymore because of the caustic nature and high cost of the chemicals that are needed to clean a copper and brass radiator.  My local shop can repair, re-core and rod any older radiator, but they can only pressure clean the inside with water (no chemicals). They don't have a boiler anymore.
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: carnuck on January 03, 2014, 12:12:29 AM
What about using Jeep CJ rad hoses? I stuck the '77 AMX rad I have in my Eagle and it's too tall to work (can't close the hood all the way)
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: vangremlin on January 04, 2014, 11:29:22 AM
What about using Jeep CJ rad hoses?

Thanks for the suggestion.  I just took a look online at the CJ hoses, I'm not sure the molded ones will work, too many angles to overcome and not enough space.  They also offer the flexible ones with the correct end sizes, but I think they would be too long.  I think I'll put some effort into finding a shorter flexible hose.  I'm just afraid my homemade setup may fall apart at the seams some day.

I ended up switching to a flexible hose made for a CJ. Part number is Continental 52414, inside diameter 1.5” on one end, 1.75” on the other, 13.25” long.
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: eaglebeek on January 04, 2014, 09:51:36 PM
Although most radiator shops used to boil out and rod radiators often (they all used to be copper and brass), that service is not available in most shops nowadays.  Most radiators are plastic and aluminum, and the shops that use the chemicals and processes for dealing with brass and copper radiators are getting scarce because of environmental concerns and the cost for such chemicals.  If you have a shop in your city that has been around for decades, then chances are they can handle your pre-90's radiator.  Also, many shops do not have "boiler tanks" or "hot tanks" anymore because of the caustic nature and high cost of the chemicals that are needed to clean a copper and brass radiator.  My local shop can repair, re-core and rod any older radiator, but they can only pressure clean the inside with water (no chemicals). They don't have a boiler anymore.
Radiators for heavy-duty vehicles...trucks and buses...are still made out of copper. Shops that repair such radiators should be able to handle original Eagle radiators.
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: vangremlin on January 13, 2014, 09:26:04 PM
I just wanted to add another note to this thread.  I finally "completed" the installation of the radiator - when I put it in a couple weeks ago I was missing a couple mounting bolts so it wasn't fully installed.  When I put in the two other bolts, it brought the radiator up to its final height, and I could not close the hood with the pressure releasing radiator cap I had on it.  I had to swap to just a flat one.  When I measured for the new mounting holes, I measured the old radiator from the top of the radiator to the mounting holes, and transferred that to the new radiator.  The spout on the new radiator is considerably higher than the old one, and I should have used that as a reference point.  If you're planning to do this swap, make sure you measure from the top of the spout!
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: Prafeston on January 13, 2014, 10:29:02 PM
If you're planning to do this swap, make sure you measure from the top of the spout!

Good addition Dave! Bummer  you messed up. Thanks for being the guinea pig! You can probably edit your OP and make sure to add in that stipulation!
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: vangremlin on January 13, 2014, 10:43:44 PM
It still fit, but barely  ;)

I'll add that into the original post, thanks for the suggestion
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: carnuck on January 16, 2014, 12:35:18 PM
 I'm tempted to use my jigsaw to open up around the cap on mine (77 AMX 304 two core rad I just put in and the hood won't close now)
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: Zoro on March 20, 2014, 06:28:01 PM
I see your radiator is bent a little bit on the left side. I just got one and mine is bent in the EXACT same spot. Did you have to bend the bracket to make it work?
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: vangremlin on March 20, 2014, 07:56:24 PM
I see your radiator is bent a little bit on the left side. I just got one and mine is bent in the EXACT same spot. Did you have to bend the bracket to make it work?

Mine arrived that way, looks like it got damaged a bit during transit.  I may have bent it back a little, but that wasn't really an issue. 
Title: Re: New radiator installation
Post by: IowaEagle on March 20, 2014, 08:23:36 PM
You may want to share that information with the seller.