5.3 cooling question

[bioniconion]

im putting a 5.3 in my yj. i dont really have the cash right now for a conversion radiator and fan...so i was thinking about a 2 or 3 core stock replacement with a 6.0 mechanical fan swap with a shroud to cool it. i live in an area that isn't too hot in summer and cold winters *western pa*, anyone have any experience with a radiator that isn't a conversion radiator and a bigger engine than stock? i figure the mech fan will spin enough air and with a shroud might be able to cool a stock 5.3 pretty well

[Jakesteramalamajama]

You might be okay, but I bet you'd feel like shit if your motor overheated and tweaked the heads. Aluminum heads are much more susceptible to warping than the old school iron ones. For the lousy 3-4 hundred bucks you'd spend on a decent aluminum radiator, it seems like it would be pretty cheap insurance to protect an engine swap that you'd (likely) spent a few grand on.

If you do try to make do with a stock radiator, make sure you have a VERY well-fitting fan shroud.


Good luck,
Jake

[mwstudt]

Originally Posted by bioniconion

i figure the mech fan will spin enough air and with a shroud might be able to cool a stock 5.3 pretty well

You don't sound 100% sure on this? If you are unsure yourself, then why take a chance? I personally wouldn't take the chance.

[GFY Racing]

we put an AMC 360 in my dad's CJ7 using a stock 2 row radiator and it works great. That doesn't mean it will work as well with a GM motor though.

[yjwrangler95]

go buy a griffin two row circle track radiator from summit for 200.00, throw a 50.00 taurus fan on it and call it done. no worries.

[bioniconion]

well my whole issue is cost/time right now. baby due in a month so both are short. i was thinking a bolt in 2-3 core radiator should provide good cooling while still being cheaper and a mech fan would run me like 80 bucks. granted it is a bit of a gamble but it never gets much above 80 here...maybe 90 in the summer but 400-500 for a conversion radiator is a bit steep. i got my engine for a really good deal so that helped with cost..but the rest adds up quickly with the axle swap and junk. im thinking of giving it a try...if it works...great! if not..im out like 150 bucks for a stock radiator that i can probably unload for close to purchase cost.

[mattamd_xp]

Why not something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Jeep-Wra...ht_2740wt_1134
I know some guys that have swapped the 5.3 and used this radiator with the stock mech fan and some with electric fans. Either way it's not really much more than the stock replacement.

[bioniconion]

Originally Posted by mattamd_xp

Why not something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Jeep-Wra...ht_2740wt_1134
I know some guys that have swapped the 5.3 and used this radiator with the stock mech fan and some with electric fans. Either way it's not really much more than the stock replacement.

well i do like that idea better...i just worry a lot with ebay stuff.