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Opinions on Radiator Options for a Preservation

jak inc

jak inc

I H8 RUST!
Lifetime Member
City
Merton
State
WI
A little background... I have had to replace, under warranty, (5) new Spectra Premium 583 radiators from Napa over the past couple years. These copper and brass radiators keep springing small leaks on random soldered seams. The latest replacement that Napa sent me has an aluminum core with a plastic top and bottom. Spectra told me they no longer manufacture the brass and copper radiator, probably due to the problems they were having but not admitting. My problem is that I do not like the aesthetics of the aluminum radiators as I am trying to keep my survivor Scrambler as original as possible.

Here comes the question... I have found that radiators.com has two, Visteon brand, original style brass and copper radiators to choose from that I would be willing to try. I would like to hear some opinions on the effective cooling of these two options.

Option 1: AMC/ Jeep Heavy Duty Cooling : Purchase an 803 radiator (offset cap) which is a two row that will allow me the room to use a stock 6? blade fan, fan clutch, and the deeper stock fan shroud.

Option 2: AMC / Jeep Standard Cooling: Purchase a 583 radiator (center cap) which is a three row that only has room for the stock 4 blade fan, no fan clutch, and the thinner stock fan shroud.

Which of these stock options will provide the best cooling for the straight 6 in my Scrambler? Thanks for the input.
 
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I would think the 6 blade with fan shroud would pull way more air through the radiator.
 
I went with radiator.com, they sent an offset two row that exactly matched the one I had in previously. I have the six blade fan, no clutch, 6cyl and an 8274 up front, no shroud, and I have not ever had a problem overheating, even on 100*+ days on the front range of Colorado.
 
I got that same NAPA radiator (plastic/alum.) a few months ago. I have to admit it looks cheap. I almost took it back. No problems so far but I've only driven it about 50 miles since installing due to a power steering leak.
 
I have the oreilly plastic aluminum rad. It was relatively cheap, and has worked ok for the past 2 years.
 
Unfortunately, I am done with NAPA radiators, too:banghead:

I went through three NAPA radiators on my green Scrambler, they all started leaking at the upper tank joint. I have a metal radiator from Advance Auto in there now, after one year, so far so good, no leaks:fingerscrossed:

On my red Scrambler, I now have a "cheap" plastic tank/aluminum core Autozone radiator, holding up fine for now, but I don't trust it:twocents: I went through four NAPA radiators on this Scrambler:angry:

Might have to find a local, old time radiator repair shop to repair the two old "scrap" radiators I have:twocents:
 
Thanks for the input guys.

Spanks... I feel your pain man! Do you think option #1 or option #2 will provide better cooling?
 
jak inc said:
Thanks for the input guys.

Spanks... I feel your pain man! Do you think option #1 or option #2 will provide better cooling?
Click to expand...

I have both options:thumbsup:

On my green Scrambler, that does not see hardly any off roading, it has the two core radiator/fan shroud/clutch fan. It works fine, but the clutch fan is very close to the face of the radiator.

On my red Scrambler, that goes off road, and cross country, I just have the stock 3 core radiator, four blade fixed fan, no fan shroud. Even with a 195 degree thermostat, it usually runs at 185. I prefer this set up, plenty of fan to radiator clearance:twocents::thumbsup:
 
Nice insight guys. I really appreciate it. Thanks.

Spanks, you confirmed my original thoughts. I will go with the three row. The fan clearance is nice and the three row with the four blade from NAPA has never overheated my motor. Thanks for your input.
 
I have a local radiator shop that does great work and is cheap. I take my old radiators to him and he fixes them, so no new chinajunk rads for me!

Sadly, radiator shops are becoming more and more rare, since our society goes more and more to the "buy new and toss the old"
 
Just so everyone knows, NAPA, Advance, Autozone, and O'Riellys are all plastic tanks now. They look cheap and the radiator with the measurement of 16 3/4 between the tanks which is the HD cooling radiator does NOT fit in the jeep. It's all wrong. The only one that fits is the 15 1/2 radiator. From the factory this one should be a three core. It's not anymore. It's a two core.
 
wm69 said:
You try rockauto?
Click to expand...

I ordered the stock 3 row brass and copper radiator through radiators.com for $220 with a lifetime warranty. I picked it up locally in less than a day. It is made by Visteon, in China of course. It also seems to be much heavier than my old 583 radiator from NAPA. I will weigh the two when I swap the old one out and report back my findings.
 
I've had great results with the Northern brand aluminum radiators. Although, I run a v8 so I can't address the clearance issues.
 
Well, the 1 800 Radiator (3 row brass/copper) I bought and installed at the end of May started leaking this past week at the upper seam. The 1800 Radiator franchise that I purchased it from is really no help. They won't refund my money, but they will exchange it for another brass/copper 3 row that doesn't look anything like the original 583 I bought. It was actually some radiator that seems like it would fit but was jammed into a 583 box. They also said they would have the one I purchased and installed repaired for me. What a joke! Who wants a repaired radiator when you purchase it new. I have had radiators repaired in the past and the repair guy ends up chasing new holes in the seams during the repair.

I am glad I saved my last leaky 583 from Napa because they are willing to exchange it out even up for the new style 583 (plastic tanks with an aluminum core). NAPA rules! Super ugly for a preservation, but there really isn't any other original looking radiators to choose from. I can't even remember how many of these brass/copper radiators I have gone through between the three Jeeps my brother and I own. So I guess it is time to try something different. I will report my findings on this new radiator install.
 
Even though I don't like it, my plastic/aluminum radiator made the trip to Moab, wheeled all week, and made it back home with no issues.

I still don't like it, though:thumbsup:
 
Doesn't anyone recore radiators in the States or do they just get scrapped when they start to leak?
 
I have used a company to re-solder and repair a few Jeep radiators. He ended up chasing new leaks that were forming. These leaks were not found during his pressure and tank tests. They leaked only after the radiators were installed and ran for a while. I just have a bad taste in my mouth with these China and South American radiators. Maybe I would have better luck with repairing an original AMC radiator. :rolleyes:

On a positive note... I have one day on the new radiator with no leaks, but she sure is ugly.
 
I've got a local radiator shop that is awesome and cheap. He's been around forever. Sad thing is, all the good old shops that do stuff like this are slowly going away. Our local machinist, only one in the area who did engine work, quit not too long ago. He is now working in collections for the local natural gas company. Wanna know why he quit? Obamacare was going to force him to buy health insurance, and when he found out how much it was going to cost, he realized he'd be better off working somewhere with employer sponsered health insurance, even if it meant taking a cut in pay.

No machine shop that does engine work within a hundred miles of here now.
 
that happens also around here but when they leave a starbucks opens up in its place.. cant have enough starbucks!!..
 
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