shawn Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 the 86 ( 4 cyl) has a very tiny rad (single core) and tends to overheat when going up a mountain but is fine everywhere else. so I'm wondering if anyone knows of a bolt-in option for a bigger rad. thanks, shawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Not sure of any bolt ins, but you could modify your core support to the 4.0 style and run a 4.0 rad and fans. youll just need to make or find hoses that will adapt. I think to swap to the 4.0 style takes a little welding to get the new core support in. That might make it too much for you if you don't have access to welding equipment. I can't tell you to get a rad from a 2.8 V6 because it uses the same rad as the 2.5 I4. You might try using some "water wetter" in the coolant. You can get it at most parts stores. Racers use it to drop temps as it make the surface tension of the water differant so it transfers heat better. You might check to see if your cooling fan clutch is working too. If it aint kicking in you may not get enough cooling air. Might also be time for a new water pump, and thermostat too. You should be OK with a stock radiator even under your conditions. Try a few things before throwing too much money at it for a high dollar rad. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garvin Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Swapping to a 4.0L rad is a lot of work (I did it in mine because I wanted the extra clearance and raised rad for a winch). When I was looking around for a swap, a CJ radiator is really close in core dimensions as well as a FSJ (the FSJ is taller but about the same width). There is no simple plug and play radiator besides the stock one for the '86's unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 that sounds like sound advice all around. - i have been suspecting water pump lately as i saw a drop of coolant on it the other night, and ive never changed the t-stat either. i will look there next. thank you gentlemen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Wouldn't a radiator for a 4-banger with A/C be at least a 2-row core? Yeah -- Auto Parts warehouse lists 2-core radiators for the '86 4-banger. Scroll down: http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/search/?Ntt=Radiator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 thats an excellent idea. i will check on that in the morning. lookin forward to getting a few things tweaked up. and don't really want to cut this hood up for venting ( unless some lebaron vent show up at the right time,lol). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Wouldn't a radiator for a 4-banger with A/C be at least a 2-row core? Yeah -- Auto Parts warehouse lists 2-core radiators for the '86 4-banger. Scroll down: http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/search/?Ntt=Radiator After reading this Ill need to check mine out. My original is non AC and my donor vehicle has AC and its rad is sitting here under my workbench. Ill try to compare thicknesses and see if I can confirm this with what I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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