waltermitty

Got the replacement CSF rad from Radiator Barn last week. Great folks to deal with. I sent the faulty rad back with a shipping label I printed from an e-mail. Finally got to the install this morning. Once everything was installed and I was about to bolt up the engine driven fan housing I noticed there is only 1/2 inch of clearance between the brand new NAPA viscous fan clutch and the brand new $200.00 3 row radiator.

NAPA obviously isn't any better than Auto Zone. Guess I can't get Jeep parts from anyone but then dealer...bummer.

On the bright side the dealer has one in stock for $86.00. The down side is the NAPA clutch has no box or paper work...I already tossed it. So if anyone needs a heavy duty fan clutch for Jeep Cherokee just write me.

93gc40

You didn't ralize a 3 row radiator would be thicker than a stocker???? Is it in danger of making contact withh the radiator? If so why??

Bustedback

As long as your engine mounts are ok a 1/2 inch should be ok...unless you run into something, then you're screwed anyway.

waltermitty

It is within a half inch of contact. I did realize the three row would be closer but expected to see the "one inch or so" touted by those who have done the retrofit and claimed zero problems on the road or while wheelin'.

I traced the problem to the viscous fan clutch purchased at NAPA and caused by too much clutch housing sticking out the front side. The first replacement clutch was purchased at Auto Zone and would not even bolt up to the fan. From this point forward the dealer is getting my parts business.

I feel a stock replacement is the only option at this point so I'm going with that tomorrow.

djb383

I would have thought the slightly thicker core would have been spaced toward the front, rather than toward the rear. We installed a OE type 1 row (1 1/4" core) a week ago yesterday....seems like, give or take, 1/2" clearance from the clutch is about right.

waltermitty

The condenser core bolts to mounting tabs on the top of the rad and there are condenser core tabs that the rad pins go through to locate everything on the bottom side. Long story short it has to be spaced toward the engine for extra thickness. I installed the new factory clutch, spacing was good, (about an inch) so I filled, burped, test drove and everything is good. No leaks! It is really nice to see coolant in the reservoir the color it is supposed to be rather than black stop leak colored gunk.

djb383

All the mounting tabs/pins/dowels etc. are in the stock location.....the slightly thicker core is offset forward between the tanks.

waltermitty

Thanks for the info. I'm glad the cooling system part is done. The work is enjoyable but the parts fiasco on this one was a bit disturbing.

djb383

Kinda puzzeled about the parts.....we've replaced the entire cooling system including the temp sensor, virtually all of the a/c system, tranny filter/gasket, brakes, steering damper, shocks, etc.,......haven't been to the dealer once.

waltermitty

It has me baffled as well! The GM dealer here goes to Auto Zone for their water pumps and jacks up the price. Auto Zone triple checked the number for the the fan clutch and swore up and down it is the correct part but it would not bolt onto my fan. The NAPA fan clutch bolted on but being a "heavy duty" version and the only one listed for my XJ left me with a half inch of clearance. That is way too close to my $200.00 CSF radiator. The dealer version looked just like the one I pulled off except it was slotted instead of bolt holes. The dealer parts guy said it was a superseded three times part number. I've never been through so much BS trying to change out cooling system parts in my life.

I'm guessing the parts houses in your area are much better manned and organized than the ones we have here.

Firestorm500

A lot of times when I call the dealer they say, "That part is no longer serviced by MOPAR."

There were a lot of parts for the older Mopars cut out when the Germans took over Chrysler. For the sake of efficiency, of course.

waltermitty

I'm surprised they have any of the parts available since they discontinued the Cherokee in 01. For example: none of the parts houses here offered the molded heater hoses at any price. I had to go through the dealer...