In an attempt to gather as much info as I can before I start my swap (still can't find the tech articles), what are my radiator options? what did you use? and what should I watch out for?
Thanks,
Tom
Thanks,
Tom
v8 Radiator
- Thread starter Krazyfj
- Start date
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Russ is running an FJ40 radiator in his Jeep with an electric fan. He had over heating problems prior to the electric fan but its been fine since.
I'm going to run the FJ40 radiator with a Ford Tarus fan.
I'm going to run the FJ40 radiator with a Ford Tarus fan.
You will want to try and use a mechanical fan. And a proper shroud is a must. Jim's was over heating and we upped the size of the fan and will have to replace the shroud as the one he had was useless. I tried talking him into a larger radiator as the work it's going to take to make the shroud is more than what I would want to do twice.
Also the radiator mount is offset because of the 2f while the v8 is centered. That was the reason for the previous guy running a smaller fan as the larger one contacted the lower hose.
Also the radiator mount is offset because of the 2f while the v8 is centered. That was the reason for the previous guy running a smaller fan as the larger one contacted the lower hose.
4 core fj40 radiator, Ford Taurus fan. The shroud from the electric fan fits the
40 radiator fine. Moves a lot of air! Mine runs 190 all day long.
40 radiator fine. Moves a lot of air! Mine runs 190 all day long.
- Thread starter
- #5
Humm, I was under the impression that you needed to get a custom radiator because the stock fj40 radiator wasn't big enough.
I see a lot of people on the trail having overheating problems with electric fans failing, or people forgetting to turn them on.
I see a lot of people on the trail having overheating problems with electric fans failing, or people forgetting to turn them on.
There are a lot of people running the Taurus fan. Yes there is the chance an electric can fail. If you want to do it right it would probably be best to get a 4 core FJ40 radiator with a well built shroud and a mechanical fan. Based on your other thread it sounds like you are on a budget. Stock radiator is 3 core I believe. Russ had trouble with his mechanical fan but I don't believe he had a good shroud. I'm will be running the taurus fan because I got it for $10. When time and money allow I will probably upgrade to a 4 core for the additional cooling.
The problem with a 40 is you can't put in a big enough radiator. I have an aluminum 4 row and the biggest electric fan (CFM). If it is 85 degrees out and I have a long uphill, either in the woods or on a paved road, I will gradually heat up (to 240) until I start going down hill. When idling and going downhill it runs at 175. I removed my aprons and cut out some of the fender wells and it helps, but does not solve it. Take the hood off and it is fantastic. I have had many conversations with Rodney who works on a lot of jeeps. It is a common problem. He will put on a hood scoop and put vents in the hood. Put in a big radiator, a mechanical fan with a good shroud and an electric fan and it will cool fine.
What I've found is that a becool side tank radiator should fit. I had this conversation with Jim in hopes that I could reproduce the radiator out of cardboard to check fit but he doesn't want to hear it. The radiator I spec'd out had a 30% larger core than the 40.
Electric fans fall apart as soon as they are asked to draw air through a radiator. And all you want is a 3 row as adding the 4th one adds restriction to air flow and the air that does pass over that last row is already heat soaked.
Another aspect is providing a cold air intake. Having your air filter right behind the radiator ingesting all that hot air only exacerbates the problem.
Electric fans fall apart as soon as they are asked to draw air through a radiator. And all you want is a 3 row as adding the 4th one adds restriction to air flow and the air that does pass over that last row is already heat soaked.
Another aspect is providing a cold air intake. Having your air filter right behind the radiator ingesting all that hot air only exacerbates the problem.
this is the radiator I was looking at
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bci-10009/overview/make/chevrolet/model/camaro
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bci-10009/overview/make/chevrolet/model/camaro
fourlow&go
@ the speed of plaid
Stock four core rad, cut the brackets, lowered it about an inch.
Using a five blade metal flex fan ala Summit. Can't remember but I think it's a 17" fan. Home made shroud, this is key! MUST HAVE A SHROUD! The highest it will read wheeling on a hot August day is about 225. Be forewarned, the fan is loud.
If your motor is hopped up at all I would suggest a larger rad too.
Jr.
Using a five blade metal flex fan ala Summit. Can't remember but I think it's a 17" fan. Home made shroud, this is key! MUST HAVE A SHROUD! The highest it will read wheeling on a hot August day is about 225. Be forewarned, the fan is loud.
If your motor is hopped up at all I would suggest a larger rad too.
Jr.
Don't be scared of electric fans, how many modern cars do you see with mechanical fans?! Most of them!
Check your tow rig, my Chevy has 2 electric fans.
Check your tow rig, my Chevy has 2 electric fans.
Exactly, your tow rig has 2 electric fans verses 1 mechanical.
And if you are running a 175* t-stat in the 40 then you are running hot all day every day. The engine's temperature is no longer be managed by the t-stat but by the ambient temperature of that particular day.
OK for a trail rig I guess, especially if it's a trailer queen.
My V8-40 used the stock 4 row Cruiser rad and an old 4 blade fan from a '67ish Chevy. No shroud - but I should have used one. Most of the time I had no issues - on the road or trail. If the fins got filled with dust or mud then I'd have issues. I also had through the fender headers so there was LOTS of room for airflow through the engine compartment. Were I to build another FJ40 with a V8 I'd make sure I had a big clutch fan and shroud - with the Taurus electric fan a close second.
Nick
Nick
Tom, if you leave the radiator in the stock location the lower hose is
in the way of the fan. One of the reasons I went electric.
- Thread starter
- #15
It does make sense about the electric fans on everyday vehicles, not sure why so many people have issues with them!
approximately 2 weeks and I'm finally going to start this project
approximately 2 weeks and I'm finally going to start this project
It does make sense about the electric fans on everyday vehicles, not sure why so many people have issues with them!
approximately 2 weeks and I'm finally going to start this project
Makes me kinda laugh, half the people who are dead set against electric fans say old school is best.
Then they tell me all about their new smart phone and tablet and all the other electronic gadgets they
can't do with-out.
Had overheating issues with my stock 40 Rad, SBC and mechanical fan. Ran 20-40 degrees above the Tstat and really heated up at idle in traffic. Added a shroud and it helped the overheating at idle. Switched to a becool 4core replacement and it never got above the Tstat temp.
Had a taurus fan to swap in, but never did before selling it.
Had a taurus fan to swap in, but never did before selling it.
fourlow&go
@ the speed of plaid
Quote:
Originally Posted by fourlow&go View Post
Stock four core rad, cut the brackets, lowered it about an inch.
Using a five blade metal flex fan ala Summit. Can't remember but I think it's a 17" fan. Home made shroud, this is key! MUST HAVE A SHROUD! The highest it will read wheeling on a hot August day is about 225. Be forewarned, the fan is loud.
If your motor is hopped up at all I would suggest a larger rad too.
Jr.
Tom, if you leave the radiator in the stock location the lower hose is
in the way of the fan. One of the reasons I went electric.
Originally Posted by fourlow&go View Post
Stock four core rad, cut the brackets, lowered it about an inch.
Using a five blade metal flex fan ala Summit. Can't remember but I think it's a 17" fan. Home made shroud, this is key! MUST HAVE A SHROUD! The highest it will read wheeling on a hot August day is about 225. Be forewarned, the fan is loud.
If your motor is hopped up at all I would suggest a larger rad too.
Jr.
Tom, if you leave the radiator in the stock location the lower hose is
in the way of the fan. One of the reasons I went electric.
fourlow&go
@ the speed of plaid
Quote:
Originally Posted by Krazyfj View Post
It does make sense about the electric fans on everyday vehicles, not sure why so many people have issues with them!
approximately 2 weeks and I'm finally going to start this project
Quote:
Makes me kinda laugh, half the people who are dead set against electric fans say old school is best.
Then they tell me all about their new smart phone and tablet and all the other electronic gadgets they
can't do with-out.
Hope this wasn't directed at me!?! Ran an electric for many years, worked fine. Better for deep water too. I just prefer mechanical
Best of luck Tom.
Originally Posted by Krazyfj View Post
It does make sense about the electric fans on everyday vehicles, not sure why so many people have issues with them!
approximately 2 weeks and I'm finally going to start this project
Quote:
Makes me kinda laugh, half the people who are dead set against electric fans say old school is best.
Then they tell me all about their new smart phone and tablet and all the other electronic gadgets they
can't do with-out.
Hope this wasn't directed at me!?! Ran an electric for many years, worked fine. Better for deep water too. I just prefer mechanical
Best of luck Tom.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Krazyfj View Post
It does make sense about the electric fans on everyday vehicles, not sure why so many people have issues with them!
approximately 2 weeks and I'm finally going to start this project
Quote:
Makes me kinda laugh, half the people who are dead set against electric fans say old school is best.
Then they tell me all about their new smart phone and tablet and all the other electronic gadgets they
can't do with-out.
Hope this wasn't directed at me!?! Ran an electric for many years, worked fine. Better for deep water too. I just prefer mechanical
Best of luck Tom.
Nope it wasn't! Just see it in other forums all the time.