Radiator from a scrapyard: which did you use?

[spdwaver]

As the title suggests, I am planning a field trip to the scrapyard to 'find' a radiator that will fit - or could fit into an FJ40 and cool a SBC 327. My current rad (stock) has leaks all along the top cap, so I could get it repaired, but I would rather find a plentiful source for a good replacement from another vehicle.

Before the stock radiator started leaking, it would run at 180* to 190* on a hot day. So, the stock radiator would work fine, but as we all know, stock replacements are $200.00 and I must wait for delivery.

I have read a few good threads on the subject, but almost all dealt with new or repaired units that will work just fine: that would be the easy way out.

I know already that I can buy new from Radiator Barn and a few other places, as well as aluminum radiators from highly recommended establishments; but what I am looking for is strictly "other vehicle" units that happened to work well with your 40.

I could do things the easy way and spend $200 on a replacement, but that would be the easy way, and that is not what I am looking for.

I drive this daily, which is why I would rather not wait for shipping.


Any tips to assist me in my search would be greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

Sean

 

[Fast Eddy]

If what you have cools the v8 ok, get it repaired and rodded out at the same time. For $100 you'll know exactly what you have. If you get one from the junk yard it could need repair the first day after you've already got it installed and full of new fluid. I got mine fixed for $100 and it's as good as new.

 

[spdwaver]

Thank you for the response, Fast Eddy: but I am still looking to explore my options as well. I would like to know if anyone has used something other than a Toyota-style radiator to replace theirs with: the reason is that I am looking for a source that is commonly found in a scrap yard. If nobody else has done it, then hopefully I will find one and be able to post my findings as well as what it took to swap it.

 

[inkpot]

Howdy! I don't remember anyone ever finding a direct bolt in or even a real close one. Seems like there was a Dodge unit of some kind that required less fabrication work than most swaps. Don't remember what it was though. I had my stocker rebuilt with a high density core, and I had the lower hose outlet moved so I could run a mondo fan without hitting it. It cools great with a FlowKooler water pump to help. It has held up the the rocks and heat for over 10 years with no problems. You may spend more time than it's worth on a U-Pull-It unit by the time you clean it up and fab it in. Good luck. You may be able to find a close fit if you have lots of time to prowl around in the bone yard with a tape measure. John

 

[spdwaver]

Thanks for the info. I realize that searching for a replacement may be difficult and time-consuming, but if my search proves fruitful, someone else may benefit from the experience.

 

[inkpot]

Yeah, if you get real lucky and make a hit on this, you will be Mr Popularity around here, that's for sure. Good Luck, again. John

 

[spdwaver]

I will update everyone once I have something to write about. Hopefully I will find something worthwhile and be able to contribute to the community.

 

[ghostriders]

seems like a lot of trouble when you stock set up works just fine. Stock replacement from radiator barn is really not all that expensive. I bought one so kind of partial but it fit great and cool's excellent. No issue's. Stay stock if it works, will be beneficial down the road. Just my 2 cents.

 

[spdwaver]

Seems like a lot of trouble, yes, but going to the scrap yard and finding a good fit is faster than waiting for the product to ship. If I find the right size then maybe my experience can help someone else. I may still get the Radiator Barn HD unit, but I am still going to look for an alternative anyway. Wouldn't it be great to know that you could get a replacement radiator from a common bone yard vehicle?

 

[dgangle]

There is nothing that will bolt in other than a an OE replacement. Accept this as gospel. Whatever you find will require fabrication/adaptation of the part.

You're worried about $200? I guess it comes down to your fabbing ability and what your time is worth but one could eat up $200 worth of time real fast. If the stock works for you the simplest and least expensive option for you is to buy the 4 core OE replacement from Radiator Barn. I can't believe that this isn't more obvious to you.

I just sold one including a custom shroud for $100. Keep your eyes peeled, these come available from time to time if you are looking for a bargain. They get snatched up fast.

Your statement about needing something fast and can't wait for time in transit kills me. It very well may take you more time to hack in whatever it is you find than to wait for shipping.

 

[Ziffdaddy]

There is nothing that will bolt in other than a an OE replacement. Accept this as gospel. Whatever you find will require fabrication/adaptation of the part.

You're worried about $200? I guess it comes down to your fabbing ability and what your time is worth but one could eat up $200 worth of time real fast. If the stock works for you the simplest and least expensive option for you is to buy the 4 core OE replacement from Radiator Barn. I can't believe that this isn't more obvious to you.

I just sold one including a custom shroud for $100. Keep your eyes peeled, these come available from time to time if you are looking for a bargain. They get snatched up fast.

Your statement about needing something fast and can't wait for time in transit kills me. It very well may take you more time to hack in whatever it is you find than to wait for shipping.

X2!!! You've got at least a day or two searching, labor to pull the 'replacement', time to remove the current and fab the 'new' one in, not to mention any problems you run into.....that alone would have already had the radiator delivered....and you're not tired from hacking up your truck! I don't know about you, but a couple days of my time is worth a heck of a lot more than $200.

P.S. I had mine repaired in a day for $60....perfect.

 

[fjwagon]

As far repairing them, it's hit or miss......yes even after being repaired. I have only had a one good fix and even then I ended up buying a new one. Fork out the cash, it will be good insurance torwards not ruining your engine due too overheating.

 

[spdwaver]

I have decided to buy the heavier-duty unit that Radiator Barn offers.


"...buy the 4 core OE replacement from Radiator Barn. I can't believe that this isn't more obvious to you."

Of course it is obvious to me. I even posted that I "may still get the Radiator Barn HD unit..." but wanted to explore other options as well.

Maybe I did not make my intentions clear: If, let's say, a decent radiator could be removed from a very common vehicle for ~$50 and requires some fabrication to install it, wouldn't it be worth it to someone to know the information?

I may be mistaken, but I imagine some people may find it useful. Then again, I just may be wasting digital trees with this whole subject.

Thanks for all the input and opinions,

Sean

 

[spdwaver]

Dgangle: Thank you for putting this into perspective: My original question was to know in part if this was achievable or not: with your experience in FJ40 ownership, I would say that your opinion is well received. Therefore it may not be possible to find something close enough to fit easily, but I wouldn't mind spending time in a scrapyard: I can always find something useful.

 

[dgangle]

No problem. I too always find something usefull in the bone yard. Before I owned a house I used to wander around Home Cheapo to 'get ideas'.

I wasn't trying to belittle you or snuff out your optimism. Nothing and I mean nothing just bolts on our old trucks that haven't been imported for 25 years.

$200 for something that works, bolts in and can be had in less time and considerably less effort than going all custom, I say go with it!

 

[spdwaver]

Yeah, I went for it and bought the Radiator Barn heavy duty model. According to their shipping chart, I should see it by Monday.

As pertaining to the fact that not everything bolts on easily: That is one of the best parts about owning these vehicles; the fact that almost everything is difficult to adapt or takes a lot of time and resources to figure it out. For some reason I just enjoy the success of 'making it work.'

Just to give you a sense of what I will use to 'make it work,' I just finished adapting my hi-lift jack to my OEM spare tire carrier - welding pieces of bed frame angle iron together.

It actually does not look too bad; really it is just a temporary fix until I am ready to build a much better one.

Again, thanks for the input!

 

[spdwaver]

Just to follow up, and to confirm with everyone who was reading this post, I got my radiator on Monday - exactly when Radiator Barn said it would be delivered.

Install was a breeze and it runs about 25* cooler than it did before. The fit was perfect and I highly recommend their product for those looking for a drop-in replacement to their stock unit.