Aluminum Radiator for G503

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ndnile
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Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by ndnile » Sun Dec 09, 2018 7:12 pm

I was just gifted a numbers matching GPW that has been bubba'd over the years as it served as a hunting and ranch jeep ( viewtopic.php?f=96&t=302896&p=1758497#p1758497 ).

It runs great and is amazingly straight and rust free. Current plan is to partially restore it towards its military glory, but will keep in eye on usability. I already have a Military MB and don't really want a GPW twin of it. I'm thinking of keeping the roll bar and 12 volts, and get 750X16 civilian tires and perhaps an overdrive. Nothing that isn't either already there or can be easily reversed.

I live in California where it gets very hot. The GPW radiator in it has a bad core. The geek in me wants to put in an aluminum 3-core radiator with electric cooling to deal with the heat and store the original radiator for the next owner. I expect, but don't know, that the aluminum radiator would cool better than the original and would be easier and cheaper than either getting mine re-cored or a repo.

Has any one gone this route? Any regrets?

Thanks, Doug
Doug
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by Fabrizio » Mon Dec 10, 2018 1:06 am

I don’t know if aluminium conducts heat a lot more than copper, but an electric fan will for sure ruin that nice WOoOOO sound signature of the G503!
And I’m not sure it would be more efficient than the engine driven one. Not more reliable for sure!

You would also have to source an aluminium radiator that fits, then work all hoses to connect it, and maybe have to build a shroud for it, if you keep the original fan.
And build brackets of course.
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by artificer » Mon Dec 10, 2018 1:23 am

Jeep's L134 had a heat sink down back of the engine on cool down & that's where most cracks originate.
So a thermostatically controlled electric fan set @ 180*F in addition to the original is a pretty good way to distribute [after shut down heat....did this on my last one]....your aluminum radiator is a good idea as well.
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Dec 10, 2018 8:11 am

You may want to reconsider the 7.50 X 16" Tires, they will contact the frame ans restrict turning.
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by IvorGPW » Mon Dec 10, 2018 12:24 pm

I have an aluminum radiator in my Jeep and it does a good job but lacks a shroud. It would do even better if you fashioned a shroud to put on. They sure are cheaper than the original at $150 on amazon
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by ndnile » Mon Dec 10, 2018 9:01 pm

I called a local radiator shop. He is willing to take a shot at repairing my core. He even asked if it was the model with the beveled fins which gave me some confidence that he knows a bit about our rides.

Joel, my MB has 700x16NDTs and doesn't rub. I'm expecting that if 7.50x16's rub, it won't be too restrictive.

Thanks for your inputs.

Cheers, Doug
Doug
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by artificer » Mon Dec 10, 2018 10:07 pm

One needs to be careful that the tyres one is selecting suits the rim width & Jeep combat rims width is 4 - 4.5" from memory & the Australian Army Land Rovers [750 x16's] were 5.5 or 6".

One needs to establish what width is legally allowed for the tyres being selected & not something the insurance company will use to deny a claim when the vehicle tyre/rim fails & the vehicle rolls.
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by rondo » Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:46 am

The off roader in me smiles at last. I've built a few rock crawlers. In this hobby we know there are plenty of aftermarket companies that custom build radiators for anything. You definitely want a shroud. the only bad thing is they would no doubt be shiny and beautiful. I've never bought or needed a custom radiator but a lot of my friends have used them.
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by robymn » Thu Jun 20, 2019 10:38 pm

A local shop re-core my radiator. The outcome is not exactly like the stock one but I'm still happy with the quality.

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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by signsup » Sun Sep 01, 2019 5:10 pm

something like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Row-Aluminum ... Sw09ZdEYJ7

I'm doing a "Sarge" jeep this winter out of left over jeep salad parts and if I need a radiator, this might be a low cost option. Parade or static display kids playground type jeep, so I'm not running it long distances. electric fan sounds like a god idea and some sort of sheet metal shroud.
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by bryanbdp » Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:44 pm

Champion radiator is what I used. Ledfoot racing is their US distributor. $245 delivered, no tax.
Fit right in. Got a 4lb cap, Motorad T4 fits correctly.
Using with Evan's waterless coolant to prevent corrosion in system.
I think it was on one of the CJ2A forums that I read people had good luck with the Champion radiators.
It has a lifetime warranty and is backed by a US company.
Came polished aluminum, I felt bad but I scuffed it up and applied a light coat of Satin Fusion spray paint.
It's a three row, supposed to be good for 400 hp. Aluminum radiators transfer heat much better than copper or brass.
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by bryanbdp » Tue Feb 02, 2021 8:34 pm

Just finished building shroud for Champion radiator. Because the lower outlet is shorter than original, i had to modify the original contours quite a bit. Probably should have just tig welded an extension to push the curved part out further. I also added an expansion tank to maintain max coolant capacity.
Although it's not super original looking, the blades are pretty well enclosed and I expect it will work well.
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Re: Aluminum Radiator for G503

Post by sjalbert » Wed Feb 03, 2021 7:29 am

bryanbdp wrote:
Mon Aug 24, 2020 5:44 pm
...
Using with Evan's waterless coolant to prevent corrosion in system.
...
Looks interesting. I'm going to have to try it when I install my rebuilt engine.
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