The ultimate overheating fix

[RdHawg]

I have been having problems with the beast overheating for two years now(see all the sordid details @ Buick BBS (http://www.aaca.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=000773))and my friend convinced me to put in a Howe radiator from Summit. I did that along with a fan cluch eliminator and test drove it the next day on a five-hour-away bear hunt in some backwoods part of CA where the state goes vertical in 90+ Degree weather. Hardly ever got over 160 - even on long slow steep climbs in 4 low.
Did I mention that I have finally remembered why I own the world's greastest - and largest 4x4! :D now if I could just remember how to get all the stick scratches out of the paint :D

[ August 26, 2001: Message edited by: RdHawg ]

[trssho]

How much did the radiator set you back? Also, was it drop in?

[jeepjake]

Which radiator did you use? (there's many for CJ's and wranglers/scramblers?)

More info PLEASE!!!!!

[Pakistan Jeep Guy]

I installed an Airconditioner into my 79 Jeep Cherokee from a Toyota Land Cruiser...
To be on the safe side I installed two extra fans from a Toyota Corolla just behind the Grille and in froont of the Radiator.... They turn on as soon as the Temp guage reaches half... It works good for me...

[tucsonrick]

tell me more about this fan clutch elimenator. i too have overheating problems with my '69 wag w/350.what is so special about a howe rad.how much?

[JeepFreak]

Where is the link to this radiator for $200(read from your post in Buick forum)??? I can't seem to find it on summits site. Is it a high fin count?

[ August 27, 2001: Message edited by: JeepFreak ]

[Stuka]

Hey RdHawg where did you go bear hunting? I live up in sonora off HWY 108 (north of yosemite)

Be great if I can meet another FSJ'er

[RdHawg]

Sorry I been so long in getting back - too many projects in the works.
Summit p/n HRE-342A28. 215$ at my door. It's a cross flow vice the o.e. top flow. It doesn't come w/ any mounting hardware so it's completely a fab into place. Mine streaches from the right frame member to the left(where the old radiator used to be), the bottom of the left tank sets on the left frame rail tube, the right sets on top of the steering gear with a rubber bumper to keep it from wearing through the aluminum. I got ahold of some 1/16 thick x 1" aluminum that I bent into brackets to bolt from the top and bottom support rails on the rad, to wherever I could on the body. I also used the alum to hold my electric fan in place. It musta worked cause I kin move the whole truck by jerking on the radiator!
The hardest part was moving the hood support rail because it hit on the 22-24LB radiator cap (that I shoulda bought from summit when I ordered the Rad).
I'd post pics but that's not an option just yet.
The clutch eliminator kit you should be able to get from napa or carquest - forget CSK their a bunch of ....well anyhow. It has a step on one side to bolt your fan to and holes to line it up on your water pump shaft and to bolt to the water pump - even comes w/ all the hardware. If your like me and have the a/c pump that hangs way out front you might need a spacer too which also entails buying longer bolts for the water pump.
The hunting spot is by douglas city out deer lick springs road and is managed by Wilderness Unlimited (http://www.outdoorjournal.com/wuhome/index.htm). It's is also home to one very cute white muzzled bear that has no idea how lucky it is that it walked away and one HUGE bear who is very angry and confused about the noise and stick that tried to poke a hole in his paw (Was a might furthur then I thought!)

[ August 29, 2001: Message edited by: RdHawg ]