FJ40 Aluminum Radiator or Stock?

[sandsfj40]

Looking at the pros/cons of going with a 4-core aluminum radiator on my 1966 FJ40. Its going to be cooling down the original F motor bored out .20 over. I will also be running an FJ60 power steering conversion and a 4speed transmission/3speed transfer case.

 

[island45]

While I have gotten no end of grief from the purists over on the fordbarn forums, I have used Champion aluminum radiators which have been just north of 200.00 on ebay, on my last five projects. They cool well, are beautifully welded and I have never had a fitment issue. I do tend to paint them black. Copper/brass radiators for the old flatheads are about a grand. Too big of a bite from the social security check for Ol' Gramps.

 

[POPO AGIE]

I installed a Champion direct replacement in my repower, that is rated for more power then my R2.8 can make.
it was recommended by the shop that provided the adapters.

 

[45Dougal]

I had my original radiator re-cored locally, which gave it about a 50% increase in cooling capacity plus a warranty for slightly less $.
Might be another option to consider.

 

[B y r o n]

deleted

 

[pbgbottle]

I like the CSF 2888 Radiator cools my V8 and fits great.

 

[POPO AGIE]

I am hoping mine with a mechanical fan will keep my R2.8 cool.

 

[pb4ugo]

I've been cooling sbc's with the stk brass radiator, fan shroud and one with an aggressive steel straight fan and the other with a straight flex fan.

 

[POPO AGIE]

I got a v8 fan shroud from Man a fre and a 18" fan with adapters to bolt up to my R2.8.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Big fan of brass - I can and have soldered them.

 

[peesalot]

X2 with pb4ugo, stock radiator ( new one ) cools the 6.0 ls (stock) with clutch fan that was on ls & a custom shroud. stays at 190, hit 210 after crawling all day mid summer.

 

[MudDauber]

If the rest of your rig is stock, take it to a radiator shop to have it boiled and rebuilt. I did that on my FJ55, was a little more expensive than a new aluminum radiator but I wanted to keep the rig stock.

 

[peesalot]

Are new stock radiators not available ? I guess it has been awhile.

 

[45Dougal]

You can get new oem radiators, but you can also rebuild your existing one with more cores.
Making it both original and better.