Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

OK back to the Jeep....

Let's talk about shrouds... I've got this one from Speedway Motors. I look at it as more of a guard than a "real" shroud... Since my understanding of the purpose of a shroud was to help direct the air flow through the radiator as it's being drawn by the fan...

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So then I've ordered a TJ shroud to see if I can make it work or not... Wish I'd ordered one last week at this point now...

So what say all of you? Am I over thinking this? Will I be OK with just the Speedway shroud or should I attempt to try and make the TJ shroud fit?
 
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Wildman said:
OK back to the Jeep....

Let's talk about shrouds... I've got this one from Speedway Motors. I look at it as more of a guard than a "real" shroud... Since my understanding of the purpose of a shroud was to help direct the air flow through the radiator as it's being drawn by the fan...

View attachment 667882

So then I've ordered a TJ shroud to see if I can make it work or not... Wish I'd ordered one last week at this point now...

So what say all of you? Am I over thinking this? Will I be OK with just the Speedway shroud or should I attempt to try and make the TJ shroud fit?
Click to expand...

Go shroud so you don't have to maybe deal with this again IMO
 
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macleanflood said:
I think an aluminum plate 1/4" or so off the radiator with a hole cut in it slightly larger than the fan would be sufficient. Add the guard or bend a round shroud.

-Mac
Click to expand...

That's more or less what I've got now with the small shroud from the electric fan. Other than the opening is about 16.5" .


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Ran the engine through one heat cycle and letting it cool off now.


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I'm getting the soft top installed while I let it cool down.


Warmest temperature 🌡 I saw was 199⁰.
 
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So added a little more coolant to the radiator and then ran the engine again. It got up to 201* but then I set the throttle @ 1500 RPM's and it drops down to 190* no problem.

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I didn't time how long it took but it wasn't very long to drop that coolant temps back down once I brought it up off idle. So at this point I'd say I think the mechanical fan will work....

Tomorrow I'll work on the front axle & steering...

Have to take my fur buddy to the vet again Friday morning and then I'll finish working on the Jeep... And get it loaded onto the trailer so I can go on my club run Saturday. Then bring it home and unload it so I can work on the 12V plug on the back of the console and see if I can get it working...

Then Tuesday load it back onto the trailer and haul it over to my sisters house... Dental on Wednesday then work on some of their rigs Thursday... Then Friday finish that foot study and then meet @bbaldwin237 up at Reiter on Saturday...

Then come home Sunday or Monday and unload the Jeep again and work on whatever other little things I've found... Then see if I can do another run in February to shakedown any other issues...

Then I need to start getting the motorhome ready...

Planned departure date is 28 Feb to head down to AZ to meet up with @Bob in Texas & that group... Then head to TN on 10 March...
 
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Wildman said:
I'm going to install a shroud... My question is which one? The Speedway one is called a shroud too but IMO it's more of a guard than it is a shroud.
Click to expand...

I used the 4.0 stock shroud. Trimmed where I needed it to contour to the aftermarket radiator and upper/lower hoses.
Used the same fan clutch that you have with an 18” aftermarket fan.
Runs exactly where it needs to. Only time I’ve ever had the engine temp creep up a bit was on a 90°+ day, sitting for a LONG time in traffic.
 
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MichaelGH said:
I used the 4.0 stock shroud. Trimmed where I needed it to contour to the aftermarket radiator and upper/lower hoses.
Used the same fan clutch that you have with an 18” aftermarket fan.
Runs exactly where it needs to. Only time I’ve ever had the engine temp creep up a bit was on a 90°+ day, sitting for a LONG time in traffic.
Click to expand...

Thanks... Of course the fan shroud I ordered won't be here until next Wednesday.... So I'll have to put it on after the Reiter run...
 
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Well DAMN....
Club run tomorrow was canceled due to most people canceled due to being sick.... So a little more time to get stuff fixed on the Jeep....

I'll see what happens tomorrow... Steering still acting up.

Changed the oil too while I was at it.
 
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macleanflood said:
Better in the shop than on the trail...

-Mac
Click to expand...

I totally agree... I was able to save most of it before it leaked into a dirty drip pan. It just adds to what I already needed to get done. But I'll just replace the hose I hope and it'll be fixed.
 
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Just getting caught up on you thread.

Love the sockets, know you are liking the chompers.

I ran one of those Guard/shroud on a 74 Camaro and never liked it. I never felt like it was pulling enough air.
 
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John Cooper said:
Just getting caught up on you thread.

Love the sockets, know you are liking the chompers.

I ran one of those Guard/shroud on a 74 Camaro and never liked it. I never felt like it was pulling enough air.
Click to expand...

I'm going to admit these new teeth are taking a bit to get used to... Glad I'm going back in next Wednesday so I can ask some more questions.

New socket is OK & I'm glad to have it with time to get used to it.

I think the stock 4.0 shroud is going to be the better option as long as I can make it fit. Can't run it until I get that lower radiator hose replaced. Got to see if my daughter has any old pantyhose I can use to strain the coolant that leaked out. If not I'll pick up some.

Worked on the steering some today but I think I'll have to pull the tires off to get it adjusted correctly.
 
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Wildman said:
I'm going to admit these new teeth are taking a bit to get used to... Glad I'm going back in next Wednesday so I can ask some more questions.

New socket is OK & I'm glad to have it with time to get used to it.

I think the stock 4.0 shroud is going to be the better option as long as I can make it fit. Can't run it until I get that lower radiator hose replaced. Got to see if my daughter has any old pantyhose I can use to strain the coolant that leaked out. If not I'll pick up some.

Worked on the steering some today but I think I'll have to pull the tires off to get it adjusted correctly.
Click to expand...

You got this brother!!!
 
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John Cooper said:
You got this brother!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks....

Tomorrow I'll pull the tires off and get at it... And replace that lower hose.

Then Tuesday I've got to run to Wenatchee in the morning to then come home and load the Jeep up and head over to my sisters house... Hopefully....
If not then I'll go to my dental appointment Wednesday morning and come home & finish the Jeep then head over to my sisters on Thursday instead for my foot study appointment on Friday...

Then I'll meet @bbaldwin237 @ Reiter on Saturday for a run.... We'll see how the Jeep holds up. Fingers crossed that I don't have anymore issues.
Then I've got to install a new stereo in my BIL truck Sunday... Then come home Monday hopefully and work on the Jeep some more.

Then I've got to go gather up the parts I'm bringing with to sell.... And get the motorhome ready or as ready as I can due to weather. Might have to drive it over to my sisters & BIL for a few days to work on it there... Then come home and finally head towards AZ.... Plus promised I'd swing by my moms house in Pasco as I'm leaving. She's a little disappointed that I'll be in TN on my bday when I'll be turning 65 and she'd planned on throwing me a little "OLD FART" party...

When I get to AZ I need a day or two to work on the motorhome... The leveling jacks the dealer supposedly repaired last year are inop & leaking now...
And I've got to get the lithium batteries hooked up which will take a little doing.

I've got 30 days before I want to be ready to roll out of here.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator
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