New Radiator Help

[Proud Eagle SX4]

My radiator is dead and almost overheated my inline 6 as i was driving a short distance.  I was driving one day this week and smoke started coming out from under my hood.  i got out and opened the hood to see that it was coming from radiator fluid that was coming out and hissing.  I need a new radiator.  I want to put an eagle radiator in but wanted to see if anyone knew of a cheaper radiator with the eagle specs.  I have a 5 speed, '82 SX4, 4.2L, 6 cylinder. 

[vangremlin]

I put in one of the Jeep CJ7 aluminum radiators available online and have been real happy with it.  That option is available, its the same size as the Eagle radiator but will require some new holes to be drilled in the radiator mounting plate.  Also note that the neck on these aluminum radiators are a little taller.

[Proud Eagle SX4]

How much time and money did you put into the new one? And how well did the hoses match up?

[vangremlin]

I bought the radiator off eBay for $170 and free shipping.  I bought an adaptor to join a 1.5" and a 1.75" radiator hose for the lower hose, but I think you may be able to use a non-molded hose for a jeep and make it work.  I think the upper hose was a non-molded variety for an Eagle.

It took very little time to modify it to work in the Eagle, just drill some new holes on the mounting brackets on the radiator.  The one area I messed up on was measuring for the new holes.  I believe I measured from the top of the old radiator to the centerline of the holes, then transferred that measurement to the new radiator.  Because the neck on the aluminum radiator was taller, I couldn't totally close the hood and had to enlarge the holes I drilled.  Measuring the holes from the top of the old radiator neck and transferring that measurement should solve that problem. 

I can't say exactly how long the project took because I replaced the heater core at the same time.  If you find a good lower hose this job could be done in a morning.

Good luck.

[vangremlin]

I did a write up when I did the radiator swap.  Here is the thread.

http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=42945.0

[Just4u2c]

Just a quick note... just because it was hissing and spewing water from your radiator (cap) doesn't mean it is your radiator... You didn't say if that was the case.. low coolant, stuck thermostat, bad fan clutch, even blown headgaskets will cause overheating with a perfectly good radiator.. Heck, even a radiator cap that has failed will cause it..
I recommend diagnosing the problem before throwing parts at it.. Unless it was steaming and hissing from a place on the radiator that it shouldn't.. then go ahead and start with that..

[macdude443]

If it does come down to a radiator, I bought a direct-fit last year for my wagon for $194 via RockAuto.  Perfect fit.

[Proud Eagle SX4]

Thanks  Guys! That really helped.

[carnuck]

I was glad I saved the '77 AMX V8 rad I had. The cap is in the wrong place so I had to lower it a couple inches to fit.