Gotta Replace My Radiator, Water-Pump And Thermostat In My Jeep.... - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

BigFish · 05-09-2004, 04:51 PM

Should be pretty easy for someone with reasonably good mechanical abilities don't you think?

Any tips or advice would be a help.

fishaholic18 · 05-09-2004, 04:56 PM

Make sure its cooled off before u start. Why all 3? I've done a bunch of them so if ya run into a snag PM me. Pretty simple though.

Backbeach Jake · 05-09-2004, 04:59 PM

Why all three? If indeed that's necessary, then spring for hoses. clamps, and belts. Pre-mix your coolant 50/50. Shouldn't be that much of a hassel.

blackeye · 05-09-2004, 05:06 PM

straight 6-piece of cake
how u gonna find someone with reasonable good mechanical abilities?

MrsSFrances · 05-09-2004, 05:07 PM

that sucks mr bigfish....hope you can find someone to do a good job for a reasonable price

good luck hun...

BigFish · 05-09-2004, 05:41 PM

No, I am gonna do it myself!

My Jeep has a 318 Chrysler motor in it. The water-pump is wailing and the bearings must be gone, the shaft has a little play also. A mechanic buddy of mine had a look and said definately the water-pump. The radiator is quite aged, its the original one that came with the Jeep and there is alot of crap I can see inside so I figure why wait, and the thermostat and hoses....just doing them cause I am gonna be there anyway, whats a few bucks more at that point? Wish me luck!

Karl F · 05-09-2004, 05:51 PM

Did the same to my Big Block Chrysler in the motorhome last year, went with a high volume water pump, and had the radiator shop give me larger and more tubes in the radiator, went from 3/8 tubes to 1/2 inch, more flow is good. Yep, did all hoses, belts, and got rid of the fan clutch and went with a flex fan. New high end thermostat, and put in a large electric fan to push more air thru, put in a larger tranny cooler, and engine oil cooler too.

Going to replace the carb, intake manifold, and valley pan, before it hits the beach this year... but, always something.

Bigfish, I think Miladoon makes a high volume pump for the small block chrysler, around 65-70 bucks, money well spent, if your local speed shop don't have it, I know Jeggs.com does

BigFish · 05-09-2004, 06:29 PM

Thanks Karl, I will check that out. Gotta round up my parts tomorrow.

fishaholic18 · 05-09-2004, 06:36 PM

BF, when removing the t-stat bolts, be careful not to break them, they usually are corroded. Work them back and forth easy while spraying them with penetrating oil. On the water pump, make sure you put some thread sealer,(silicone or whatever) on the 4 long bolts as they go into water jackets. Pull the radiator 1st and put in last, it'll give ya more room to work. Go for it and good luck. Also, get a new bypass hose that goes from top of w-pump to intake, you'll prob. rip it.

BigFish · 05-09-2004, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the tips F-18....much appreciated.

I like that name....F-18.

MAC · 05-09-2004, 06:56 PM

A tip to make it easier to remember which bolt goes where is to place them in holes of new water pump as you remove them. Then move them to old pump after it is removed. It is a pain if you have to start looking for which goes where. ( did that sound right)

BigFish · 05-09-2004, 07:54 PM

Gotcha, I will do that.

Van · 05-10-2004, 09:09 AM

Your gonna wish you weren't 6'3" 300 lbs !!!!

Good Luck,

BigFish · 05-10-2004, 09:10 AM

I am 6'5" and about 299 pounds!

Why?

Van · 05-10-2004, 09:33 AM

WHY ??? Cause ya need to be small and flexible to work on vehicles ya big goof !!!!!!
I mean that in a nice way though.
I know a good honest cheap mechanic in Weymouth .....

crashfromamesbury · 05-10-2004, 10:41 AM

IF YOUR TAKING OUT THE RADIATOR ANYWAY IT SHOULD BE A FAIRLY EASY JOB.. JUST DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR AND PUT A SHEET DOWN BEHIND WHERE YOUR WORKING.. THEN YOU CAN LAY OUT THE ITEMS AS YOU REMOVE THEM.. WHICH WILL GIVE YOU A RELATIVELY SIMPLE STEP BY STEP TO PUTTING THEM BACK IN..

I DID THE SAME THING IN AN 81 REGAL THAT WE DROPPED A 455 IN.. AND ITS NOT ALL THAT FUN WORKING IN A TIGHT SPOT.. ESPECIALLY IF YOUR A BIG GUY..

SHOULD BE FAIRLY ROUTINE..

GOOD LUCK

Flaptail · 05-10-2004, 12:36 PM

Hurry up Larry, you need to be on the beach by the weekend cause they is roundin' the bend. I can't hold this up all by myself you know!

BigFish · 05-10-2004, 12:46 PM

I am on the way Flap.....lots of room to work in a Jeep CJ engine compartment Van......should be a breeze. Gotta have the Jeep staying nice and cool on those hot sandy beaches, right Flap?

Backbeach Jake · 05-10-2004, 05:25 PM

After further thought, while you're in there, it'll never be a better time to flush the engine. Get a Prestone kit with a tee and the chemical. You'll be ultra ready for hot sand. Get a can of Go-Jo too, this'll be messy. Well it is when I do it.

Bawana · 05-11-2004, 05:07 PM

big fish if you havent already picked up the parts give RC Truck sales a try its over on thatcher street in Brockton where all the salvage yards are. there prices are usually pretty good on modine radiators and the just may have everything you need

BigFish · 05-11-2004, 05:20 PM

Thanks Bawana......I may go over there for a water-pump. Took the radiator out today and it is having a new core put in....should be done tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning.

Good tip though...everyone recommends RC Truck.

jugstah · 05-11-2004, 08:14 PM

RC Truck Sales rock.. if they don't have it, they'll get it for you by the end of the day, or at least by the next morning

Flaptail · 05-12-2004, 11:58 AM

Hurry up Larry they are asking where you are! ( It's amazing the places where you can get sand stuck on your body)