I have a 84 CJ7 with a chevy 305, 3 core Jeep radiator with tranny cooler, and it made for a chevy config. I have a electric fan and a 160 thermostat. Its running around 210-220... WHY?
I would say that the fan is not big enough however I have used this fan before on my AMC 304 and never had a problem.
Sounds as if you are having a problem with the fan....possibly not enough air flow. Have you not checked the cap? Also have a look at the hoses to make sure that they do not collapse during throttle. I know this is general info but it is often the little things.
How about the thermostat being too low temp? I would guess that the thermostat is opening, then remaining open, not allowing the water to sit in the radiator and cool.
Most stock applications run about 195 degrees plus it's summer time.
Plus it's a cheap easy test. Usually you can replace a thermostat in 30 minutes, the re-evaluate.
JerseyWheeler,
You might also want to check your coolant mix (50/50 mix), and remove any grill cover (that will restrict air flows to your radiator). What is the CFM of your electric fan?
My problem with my stock 2 row radiator with Flex-A-Lite electric fans is only when I'm sitting in summer traffic jams. But, once I turn on my 3rd electric fan (10" 950CFM) and I could see my temp starting to stable or drop. You could say that I'm not getting enough air flow with tired 3 years old Flex-A-Lite fans. /wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif
/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif Having owned a CRAPLOAD of 350 SB Chev-lays, I have come to understand that the engine does not "burp" well. The SBs have a tendency to trap air and not allow for the coolant to fill all of the engine/radiator spaces. FOR THAT REASON, some Chev-Lays return the heater loop to the top end of the radiator tank so the air can find it's way out and the engine can "burp". This can make the difference between cooling and not cooling on a hard pull like we just made with the 350SB powered "Super Puller"./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif
CJDave
A Jeep Skunkworks run by Moonguys/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif, buildin' the ultimate SNOJEEP!
/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif Well, what do you know! I was JUST reading the latest SUMMIT catalog and there is a Deadenbear item that helps a SB Shev-Lay "Burp" better. Here I thought that BURP was my own proprietory term./wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif I'm telling you, the problem is in the BURP, not the fan, or the radiator./wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif If you are a smart Joyzee dweller, you will rig a burp line from an available plug on the front of the intake manifold to the top tank of the heater and try that!/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gifBTW.....burp lines are COMMON on industrial and stationary engines./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif GET INDUSTRIAL!!!!!/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif
CJDave
A Jeep Skunkworks run by Moonguys/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif, buildin' the ultimate SNOJEEP!
/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif If you are running a heater, return the heater outlet hose.....that's the top hose......to the radiator tank. On some Shivel-A radiators there is a 3/4" nipple for that purpose. You could have a port installed on your radiator if there is none. So the circuit is: OUT of the intake manifold....TO the heater....FROM the heater to the top tank of the radiator. All other hoses stay where they are.....you plug the port on the water pump./wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif END of problems!/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif
CJDave
A Jeep Skunkworks run by Moonguys/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif, buildin' the ultimate SNOJEEP!
While we are discussing the cooling problems, did a CJ ever come with an overflow bottle? I'd like to add one to mine, but I'd like a decent looking bottle. NOT just any bottle bungie corded to my inner fender.
If the CJ never had one, how about a nice aftermarket bottle?
/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif Don't fergit that the "suckback" radiator caps are a little different than the old type; you'll need one of those as well./wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif
CJDave
A Jeep Skunkworks run by Moonguys/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/laugh.gif, buildin' the ultimate SNOJEEP!
My CJ came with an overflow bottle. It was in bad shape, however, so I replaced it with a generic one (got it at Discount, I think). Make sure you get the new style cap, it's a little different from the ones without the overflow bottle.
-Derek Schwab
'97 Sidekick Sport
'83 CJ-7
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