willysmjeeps.com

Well I noticed a small leak coming from my radiator. So I took it out and ran it over to the radiator shop. Got a call about 10 mins later telling me its shot. They can re-core it but that’s going to be $700. So I got online and found a place called Vintage Jeep Parts. I can get a new one for $375. Anyone have experience with this place?

if it was me, I'd opt for a recore rather than an aftermarket....for an A1 you could probably find a good take out online...

check with John at MWM, he just scored big on lots of M-38 and M-38A1 stuff (5 Truck loads...

kenperkins wrote:if it was me, I'd opt for a recore rather than an aftermarket....for an A1 you could probably find a good take out online...

Not cost effective at this time.

OKCM38CDN wrote:check with John at MWM, he just scored big on lots of M-38 and M-38A1 stuff (5 Truck loads...

I sent John an email and hopefully he has something.

After rereading the ad for the radiator it states in red bold print that it doesn't have the engine mount brackets on the radiator. So it will be a no go unless I have the mounts removed from the old radiator and put on the new one. Still going to hold out for a good takeout that someone is tired of tripping over in their shop. BTW the re core price I was quoted was $845.

I had my A1 re-cored just before Covid hit and it cost me $700.00. Sounds like that's the going price...

Mike B

Hey Cobra,
By "engine mount brackets" are you talking about the two little side pockets for the two bracing rods (one on each bottom side of the radiator) that allow the radiator to be removed with the engine/power-pack as a complete unit?

RonD2 wrote:Hey Cobra,
By "engine mount brackets" are you talking about the two little side pockets for the two bracing rods (one on each bottom side of the radiator) that allow the radiator to be removed with the engine/power-pack as a complete unit?

Yes the pockets.

Hi Cobra,
This is a photo of one of those brackets on my M38 radiator. The other side is identical. I suspect the M38A1's are the same bracket? Can you confirm?

It seems like a very simple bracket to fabricate, and except for maybe the shrouds, the only unique features of these radiators. Maybe sweet talk John at MWM into making some?

I won't pollute your thread that I think finding serviceable military-style radiators is going to be difficult. I think if we had these brackets (cut-off or new fabricated) and maybe the shrouds, it would be easier to find a new or more modern takeoff radiator instead of super-expensive re-cores.

Is the CJ5 (F134 motor) radiator the same as M38A1 except for the support rod brackets? I wonder for the M38 if the replacement 4-core copper radiators I see for the MB/GPW and CJ2A/3A (still expensive at $500, but supposedly Made in the U.S. of A.) are very close except for the brackets and the shrouds. Same L134 motor --- pretty much same frame and mounts? How much different could the actual radiator be? They look pretty darn close to me.

I know, I'm probably dreaming....

Good luck!

RonD2,

They look similar and serve the same purpose but Wes would probably be the best person to chime in and tell us.

Don't know if this helps or not, but I just got my M38 radiator back from a local (Wichita, KS) old-time radiator shop (for a pressure check and clean-out) and I talked to him about the cost of re-coring a similar radiator. He told me it would be in the range of $500-$550. But then there is shipping.
If interested I could pass on his contact information.
Kendall

I used a radiator from my 1956 CJ5 in my M38A1 while I was having the military one cleaned out. The mounting holes were the same and it bolted right up. The core isn’t as thick on the civilian one, but I live a mile from Canada, and I never had any overheating with it. It is the same f head engine, after all.