5.7 Vortec V-8 Swap / 86 FJ60

[Elbert]

Is that upper radiator hose also your donor's application? It looks like a good fit for my 5.7 TPI install.

Yes the upper radiator hose matches the engine...I think we used the same reference 1999 GM pickup/suv.

I should also mention (while I'm thinking about it) that I had the upper radiator hose fitting at the radiator changed to match the GM hose diameter, and I also had the bottom radiator hose fitting at the radiator moved to the far right to allow for shroud / fan clearance.

As I recall you can find all kinds of GM hoses that might work but they don't match the diameter of the toyota top pipe at the radiator itself which is either 1.5 or 1.25... I just had the radiator shop to make the above noted changes.

 

[ntsqd]

Thanks!
Am using a 3 core, high fin density crossflow built to fit in the TPI's donor (perfect fit into the FJ's core support opening!), so the bung sizes better be the same! Had to build the t-stat housing though, the TPI used electric fans and routed the upper hose right thru where my GM clutch fan resides. So I need to go around the alternator the same yours needs to go around the A/C comp.

 

[norsk]

You have a source/link for that radiator?

I do have a 19" Mark IV Continental fan on hand, did you try that fan as well?

dougbert

 

[Elbert]

There are a number of threads on the electric fan business...

If you want a install and forget solution, you will stay with the mechanical fan clutch setup. The only reason in my view to run an electric fan is if...you are constrained by space. You will notice that there is not a lot of space between my engine and teh radiator core.

surf through the threads, search electric fans...etc. See who runs them, how they drive their truck, does it even go offload and does the a/c work. What type of alternator you will need, what other electrical loads will be an issue.

You will also note in your search where a number of people (like I have)...tried the electrical fans...and went back old-school to the fan clutch setup, using GM components that match the engine.

I don't think it would be hard to adapt the cooling components off the vortec series engine to an older model 5.7 (well it might not be...you have to pay attention to the rotation of the components...etc....v-belt vs. single belt). As noted in the picture the vortec uses the single belt drive. If you run an older 5.7 there are various options using the v belt setup. A HD fan clutch and 7 blade fan is pretty impressive on the older stuff, I believe flex-a-lite has or use to have on their web site various 7 blade fan clutch type fans you can simply buy direct from them, to mate with your OEM fan clutch. I like GM fan clutches over the aftermarket stuff if you are running a GM engine.

Any of the electrical radiator fans that work well for cooling will pull a significant load (amps)... Commons swaps are the Lincoln and contour dual fan setup. I like electric fans and think a good matched fan/radiator/alternator setup is hard to beat, but the mechanical fan OEM combination cannot be beat for HD offroad use and the versatility and the forget and run install. There are a few threads where this has been discussed in much detail.

Right now...I start my truck and give it hell (within reason) I run the a/c and go, I'm not stuck watching the temp gauge.

 

[ntsqd]

You have a source/link for that radiator?

I do have a 19" Mark IV Continental fan on hand, did you try that fan as well?

dougbert

If you're asking about mine, the donor was a '92 Z-28. The radiator is a custom. I'd have to find the receipt, if I still have it, to know who the shop was. Found them on the net, they're in the greater Santa Clarita, CA area somewhere.

 

[Elbert]

Just some numbers to share.
Nothing going on today and so I went for a drive in the 60. 80-85F temps... on the hwy with A/C on around 60 I'm at 205F or so (recall I'm fairly low geared). Slower speeds 195-200F. Went on a few short trails and forest roads... all with the ac on.. 200F or so. With A/C off somewhere around 195F which is the temp of the GM thermostat.

On the steep little trail I went on...you could clearly hear the fan clutch engage (low range first gear) and the truck would cool down to around 195 (I'm running 2K rpm or so at the time).

In my mind not much you can do to get better than that with a V8 swap, no interaction required on my part...drive and forget. 4.88 gears, 33 inch tires, h55F 5speed... it might run a little cooler if was not geared as low on the hwy.. Anyway just thought I would post up some numbers.

 

[Off Duty]

Good info.
What's your gearing again?

 

[Elbert]

Good info.
What's your gearing again?

4.88 with 33 tires

 

[Off Duty]

4.88 with 33 tires

Thanks.

 

[norsk]

I have 4.11 gearing and will alternate between 31x10.50 (15 inch) and 33x11 (16 inch) until my 31x10.50 tires are worn out (I have several which used to be my studded snows) then will stay with 33s for both summer and studded snows

5.9 L rebuilt motor. 1983 block. Will be using V belts. Vortec II heads, with quadrajet carb, no computer. (See link in signature)

One question I have been researching is which side to put the alternator on. The A/C would be on the opposite side from the alternator. From Elbert's pics, his AC is on driver's side, while alternator is on passenger. Seems putting the AC on passenger would reduce hose length for the AC on the FJ-60. Any input which side is "best"?

I also have the Green Machine alternator at 200 amps

I did do electric fan searches and the one that popped up was with the Continental Mark IV 19in fan and worked for them, since it was cooling a big engine.

I found a link for GM fan and clutch http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/ac/fan-blades-fan-clutches-fan-shrouds-46.php

Oh, issues with 180 degree vs 195 degree thermostat?

I was looking for a src on the 4-core brass radiator that Elbert posted pics of. I don't know if mine is a 3 or 4 core, as I cannot remember where I bought it. It is a replacement for the OEM FJ-60 radiator.

dougbert

 

[Elbert]

you end up with the alternator and ac mounts depending on the engine model and setup. My setup is a GM OEM vortec 5.7. You will be better served to align with the GM stock setup, rather than trying to match one compoent on one side or the other. That will get you in the right place for belts and hoses. If you start mixing and matching, then getting belts and hoses is going to be fun. Depending on what year model engine your brackets come from....it will depend on what type a/c compressor and what type alternator will work and what type belts you will need. Unless you plan to sue some type of custom brackets it would be good to pull parts off a junkyard engine for all your brackets, and then when you go to the parts store you can see you need a set of belts an parts to match the donor engine, otherwise you are going to have a collection of parts.

Over the years the 5.7 has had different a/c compressors and different mount configurations, go to a junkyard that has a complete 5.7 front end and rob all the associated brackets and pulleys etc, take note of the vehicle model and year, get new parts to match the given donor engine vehicle model.

Fan clutches should be bought from GM or GM source, to match the engine is question, and then a matching fan clutch fan. In your link the 7 blade fan is what I would want along with the HD GM fan clutch. Remember all your pulleys and brackets have to match.... or you will never get your belts aligned or stuff working right.

180 thermostat if running a carburetor

Also will your alternator work with teh old school v belt setup and GM brackets.

 

[Big Sass]

4th pic...different view
View attachment 192587

Can you please tell me where to get these mounts?

 

[Elbert]

Can you please tell me where to get these mounts?

those are the mounts that come from Advance Adapters (engine mounts)

 

[Elbert]

STLCA 60 Series Club Thread

look through here for some notes on a stock GM CS 144 alternator setup, I decided to get away from he "one wire" custom alternator. Might help someone else. post 353