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Figuring Out How To Cool My 4.3 V6

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Orheptalx, Oct 12, 2023.

  1. Oct 12, 2023
    Orheptalx

    Orheptalx New Member

    texas
    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2023
    Messages:
    6
    Hi guys I am in the process of figuring out how to cool my 4.3 v6.
    I have a good shape OEM cj3a rad but the lower hose needs to be on the pass side. is there a conversion rad out there?? I guess i could have a shop change the lower hose to the pass side. any other swaps ??
     
    Glenn likes this.
  2. Oct 12, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Cool school 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Apr 8, 2008
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    4,819
    Use a aluminum 65 v6 cj5 radiator or 66 v8 Mustang will be close enough to get going.
     
  3. Oct 12, 2023
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,514
    Another that would be using an aluminum radiator. Way more efficient than a brass cored version. Summit has quite the collection. Not sure a CJ5 radiator (above post) is going to fit in a low hood flatty. You may want to "remodel" the under radiator cross member to give yourself some more room. Easy to do if you no longer have the Ross box bellcrank.
     
    vtxtasy and Jw60 like this.
  4. Oct 12, 2023
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,651
  5. Oct 12, 2023
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Oct 25, 2006
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    I run a 1966 falcoln/mustang radiator for the 289. It cools 2000 4.3 with FI just fine. I used the stock asto fan that I cut down to fit. Thee is a real problem with the lower hose getting around the mechanical clutch fan. It’s also imperative to use a fan shroud. Buy mustang parts…

    my 4.3 runs 185-190 in any condition I have put it in, stop and go city traffic at above 90 and 55-60 mph in same.
     
  6. Oct 13, 2023
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2009
    Messages:
    3,093
    Another vote for an aluminum radiator. Measure the hight and width and then look for one with the correct hose connections.
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  7. Oct 13, 2023
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
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    4,514
    Pretty easy to change the inlet/outlet on most aluminum radiators with just a few minutes of TIG work.
     
    Ol Fogie and Jw60 like this.
  8. Oct 15, 2023
    KarlWithaK

    KarlWithaK New Member

    Austin, TX
    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2016
    Messages:
    44
    I have a mustang radiator with my ‘98 4.3. I cut the engine outlet/radiator inlet pipe on the top of the motor and rotated it about 90 degrees to match the radiator. The radiator outlet to the motor is on the same side so that is a straight shot.

     
    Fireball, vtxtasy and 47v6 like this.
  9. Oct 15, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Tucson, AZ
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    Feb 5, 2006
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    Liking that set-up. How are you liking the electric fan?
     
  10. Oct 16, 2023
    KarlWithaK

    KarlWithaK New Member

    Austin, TX
    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2016
    Messages:
    44
    Electric fan is awesome. I pulled the fan from a mid-90’s V6 Camaro and the whole shroud and everything with it fits the mustang radiator nearly perfectly. I’m in Texas and it can be super hot going slow on the trail and it’s never gotten hot. I have the fan tied into the stock computer harness which I sent to Novak to update/flash for my setup. I think there’s pics in my build thread.
     
    Danefraz and vtxtasy like this.
  11. Oct 16, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Tucson, AZ
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2006
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    1,462
    I was thinking of doing something similar and knowing you were in hot country as I am. Good to know you are happy with that set up.
    Using a mechanical and a pusher fan now, but I think the pusher restricts the air flow of the mechanical fan and have problems at 100 plus
    degrees. Someone on here had a problem with using a small trans cooler in front of the radiator. He remoted it and the problem went away.
     
    KarlWithaK likes this.
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