CJ7 radiator

[Zoro]

Just got a 3 core CJ7 radiator and it's a work of art!!

BUT it got banged up or something in shipping.

Would you guys run this as-is? Damage is on left side.




For those of you running the CJ7 radiator, any issues with reusing the stock fan shroud and stock style fan clutch? Anything else to know about this mod?

[eaglebeek]

For those of you running the CJ7 radiator, any issues with reusing the stock fan shroud and stock style fan clutch? Anything else to know about this mod?

An intrepid Eagle's Den member and moderator who goes by vangremlin recently did just this, to his Kammy. The link to his thread is here: http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=42945.0;topicseen
 

[Prafeston]

Zoro had already found and commented in that thread. Looks like he's onto the right track!

[carnuck]

If the nearest tube on that side isn't compromised, I wouldn't worry about it. I need a rad for mine and the '77 AMX one I have won't let my hood close all the way.

[Zoro]

The folks I got the radiator from made good on their promise to replace it. Will be starting the install sometime this week.

[vangremlin]

Cool!  I probably should have contacted them and asked for a replacement also but was already halfway into the job.  I have not had any leaks from mine so apparently the dent did not damage it. 

[Zoro]

The first one was probably fine but I didn't want there to be any issues down the road with warranties. "Hey you should've known better than to run it like that."

BTW this is a Champion radiator from Radiators4Less with a lifetime warranty for those interested.

On a different note I think I'll be able to use the stock upper hose as it's a bit kinked. Gotta feeling I can make the lower hose for a J series truck/FSJ work.

[Mernsy]

IIRC...I used the original bottom hose. I had to cut an inch or two off one end.

[Zoro]

Started the swap today and flushed the system out about 9 times. Reminds me of a colonoscopy prep...
You're not done until it runs clear."

The new radiator is WAY bigger<thicker> than the stock radiator. Looks like at some point my Eagle must have rear ended somebody because the valance shows obvious signs of being straightened and the AC core was bent. Tried to get the AC core straight but it started to leak so it came out. Really going to miss my AC come next month.

Appears that I can reuse BOTH the stock hoses with only some trimming for the bottom.

Drilled the new mounting holes 6.5" lower than the cap.

Fan shroud is going to take some trimming to get it to work.

Lastly I'm not sure if my stock fan&clutch will work. If they do it's gonna be a REALLY tight squeeze!

Hopefully I'll be done with this tomorrow and will post pictures up.

[vangremlin]

Started the swap today and flushed the system out about 9 times. Reminds me of a colonoscopy prep...
You're not done until it runs clear."

Fan shroud is going to take some trimming to get it to work.

Hey, your first comment really struck home with me lol 

I'm guessing you can go without the radiator shroud.  This new radiator is going to cool so much better that I don't think overheating will be a problem at all!

[Zoro]

Hey, your first comment really struck home with me lol 

I'm guessing you can go without the radiator shroud.  This new radiator is going to cool so much better that I don't think overheating will be a problem at all!
[/quote]

Figured somebody would get a laugh out of it...BTDT lol

Yeah that's what I'm thinking as far as the shroud goes. Gonna try and install it and see what happens. Don't have any other AMC cars here or I'd swap it over to them and I don't want to leave it idle in the garage should it get broke.

[BenM]

A shroud can make a HUGE difference, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Keep an eye on it as it gets warm and see how it does, it could be fine.

[Zoro]

A shroud can make a HUGE difference, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Keep an eye on it as it gets warm and see how it does, it could be fine.

Will probably have to mount the shroud using those radiator zip ties for aftermarket fans and trans coolers.

Turns out there's 3/4"-1" of room between the hub on the fan clutch and the radiator AND enough room to use the shroud as long as I can figure out how to mount it. The shroud doesn't fit as tight as it did with the OEM rad but it will work.

[Zoro]

Here we go.

New and old radiator


New radiator with OEM shroud. Note the outlets and how they don't line up, I'll take care of that later.


Cores on the new radiator as seen thru the radiator cap spout. This is a 3 core. Note how BIG the new cores are. Each core is about twice as big as the stock one.


New radiator in. If it sat 1/2" lower it'd be perfect but it does contact the hood as-is


Hood contact


I opted for a FLEX HOSE for the bottom. Probably could have made the stock one work but I didn't feel like messing with it. If the hose was an inch or two shorter it would be perfect.


Upper hose. Reused the stock hose and the fit is TIGHT. Make sure you have good clearance between the AC belt! flex hose would work well here but I try to avoid them when possible.


Radiator clearance between stock style HD fan clutch.


FAN SHROUD MOUNTING

Couldn't get the stock fan shroud to bolt up so I mounted it like you would a trans cooler or aftermarket AUX fan


Drill holes




It's on. MAKE SURE YOU SPIN THE FAN AS YOU HANG THE SHROUD SO YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT THE CLEARANCE NEEDED!!










Engine running, nothing grinding or leaking!


The end result

[vangremlin]

Looks great!  Thumbs up for all the pictures and the great write-up.  Couple of questions.  Do you know how long the flex hose is that you used on the bottom? And what have you decided to do about the hood interference?  I kind of elongated the holes vertically when I ran into the same problem.  It clears now but not by much!