Radiator Modification?

[FINOCJ]

Is it possible to modify a radiator outlet? Well, I assume its possible - so maybe the question is does anyone have a recommendation on who might be able to do it? Due to the confluence of a number of different issues - my new oil pump doesn't have enough clearance from the radiator outlet to allow room for the oil filter and I prefer to look into this option first as the primary solution. Holding off on options 2 and 3 for now (put back OEM style pump and use a filter relocation kit).

Here are a couple pics:
1) Not enough clearance to fit OEM style filter
2) With a very small filter - but still lacking clearance for the radiator hose. The pic may not show it very clearly, but the hose would have to go right through the middle of the filter. If I could just get an elbow on the outlet to provide clearance, the hoses can always be made to fit.

[FINOCJ]

Here is what the radiator outlet looks like for most CJ5 v6 - basically the 17" wide radiator used on the 4cyl with an interesting outlet. But this radiator was not used in the last couple years of CJ v6 production, and the one I have with the straight outlet (which is larger and cools the v6 better) was used. Clearance with the OEM pump and filter was minimal, with the melling pump its not possible. Wondering if someone could modify my outlet to look something like the one below.
http://walcks4wd.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/3ebbe8fdc58c85c88ffaa3a96b1b2d1c/9/4/941073-2.jpg

[Brian]

As an alternative have you considered an oil filter relocation kit?

[TJS86TOY]

You might spend the same amount on the mod to the radiator as a bypass filtration system from amsoil and get super filtration for that new engine. Just a thought.

[Jim]

I think I'd contact a local radiator repair shop. They quite likely could remove the original outlet and braze on an desired outlet.

[FINOCJ]

I think I'd contact a local radiator repair shop. They quite likely could remove the original outlet and braze on an desired outlet.

Yes - guess I am really looking for recommendation for radiator shops to do exactly that. I had a small leak at the outlet on my current radiator a couple years ago, and got it fixed and also tanked and rodded out. I found two shops in Denver proper area: one of which struggled to contact me back or stay in communication so I moved on from them, and a 2nd (Gold Star Radiator) that seemed helpful. Unfortunately I was not satisfied at all with their work, had to take it back to them a 2nd time, and their was 'unexpected' price increase at the end etc - so still looking for a good shop...

Figure someone on here might have a rec...I am willing to travel a good distance along the front range for quality workmanship. Or maybe someone on here has the skills to do it themselves for a side job?

[Jim]

I was happy with the little work I had done at Fort Collins Radiator. When I walked in with the rad, without saying anything, the owner immediately said - nice - a late 80's Jeep radiator with metal endcaps (he wasn't a fan of the plastic caps)!

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fort+Collins+Radiator+Shop/@40.5878936,-105.071671,18z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x1c0249dfc17b6d74!8m2!3d40.58 77386!4d-105.0725314

http://www.fortcollinsradiator.com/

A distance from you, but one option.

[newracer]

I think with all the new radiators being a mixture of materials they are now disposable and therefor the demand for radiator repair shops has dropped.

I have also used Fort Collins Radiator but it was numerous years ago. They cleaned the radiator from my previous Jeep, '88 YJ.

I agree with Brian and TJ that a remote filter might be a better option. From a quick search it looks like you can get a kit for less than $100.

[FINOCJ]

Thanks Jim - I will definitely give them call. I drive past that location a lot...I wouldn't have thought of it until I saw their blue and yellow sign on the brick building wall and then immediately remembered that I drive past that sign all the time.

Agreed, any place that respects old metal radiators is a good start. My neighbor and friend has custom resto-modded 50's Plymouth with 70's big block mopar engine and has had lots of trouble with cooling and radiators. Obviously a bit of a custom job, but he's blown out 2 plastic tank (end capped) radiators - normally at the seem with the core. Obviously there are some other cooling issues going on there, but man are some of those plastic tanks cheap and flimsy for a fairly high price. Certainly would have overheated and overflown a metal radiator, maybe blown a cap, but guessing he wouldn't have wasted two different purchases.

FWIW - the Plymouth cooling issue seems to stem from difficulty getting an appropriate fan behind the radiator - clearance with the big block is tight. But it also seems the cooling has been greatly improved after moving the a/c condenser from in front of the radiator (where it 'block' some airflow over the radiator), to behind it...took a little modification to the shroud and integrated electric fan mount, but it really helps.

[Spieg]

I've used Aurora Radiator (near Colfax and Florence) with good luck.

[FINOCJ]

Well, if you eff with things long enough and spend enough time searching around various oil filter spec sheets....I may have gotten everything to work without any major modifications. I found a Wix 51042...Its very short and small with the correct 13/16-16 thread, but supposedly has the flow rate that will work and the gasket should work. Some helpful websites for cross-referencing oil filters as well as searching for oil filters based on size are these:

OilFilterData.com (http://oilfilterdata.com/index.php)

Oil filter cross reference (http://www.oilfilter-crossreference.com/convert/Wix/57241)

But even then its hard to get actual specs for some filters - even on the company website. The gasket for the Wix 51042 is just a bit smaller than OEM, but the less than 0.1" it differs shouldn't be a problem (I don't think).
OEM gasket specs: diameter 2.462" - 2.834"
51042 gasket specs: 2.430" - 2.734"

http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/dscn8503.1812/full (http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/dscn8503.1812/)


http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/dscn8498.1813/full (http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/dscn8498.1813/)



I also moved the radiator just a bit using the existing mounting holes a - pushed it as far to the passenger side and upward as possible. Maybe gave me about 1/4" of additional clearance. Looks like it should be mostly ok.
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/dscn8500.1814/full (http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?media/dscn8500.1814/)



Not a lot of clearance - maybe 1/4 inch- but a bit of abrasion protection between the filter and hose should do the trick. I still think at some point I would like to tweak the radiator oulet by shortening it and maybe putting a bit of an upwards elbow on it. Its not trivial getting the filter on and off with the hose as it, but it can be done.

[newracer]

Will you be able to get the filter off?

[FINOCJ]

Barely. ..getting it off is not too bad. Getting it on with hose in place and aligning the threads is a pita. Can sqeeze or pinch the hose by hand and screw filter on with the other hand.

[Spieg]

Even with the smaller filter, that looks like a squeeze.
I'd consider something like this;
http://www.jegs.com/images/photos/900/969/969-1122.jpg (http://www.jegs.com/i/Trans-Dapt/969/1122/10002/-1)
For $60, it's likely cheaper than having the radiator reworked.