1952-59 Ford What could cause my overheating ?

I have a 302 with a aluminum rDiator and electric fan, but recently my temp starts to creep up when idling. But as soon as I start going it SLOWLY goes down a bit depends how much I drive before the next stop.

Could it be a stuck thermostat?, please help thanks

 

Don't know if this may have anything to do with this but since I have electric fan can the fact that my batery went low a few days ago and had to recharge it, have anything to do with it?

 

does your electric fan have an adjustment knob to 'set' the temp where the fan comes on? wouldnt think the battery to be the cause of it personally.

 

I would start with the thermostat. Go buy yourself a lower temp one. See if that fixes anything. If not, it could also be time to flush the cooling system out. If you have a bunch of corrosion in your system, that can also lead to overheating. Thermostats aren't that expensive, plus you'll know exactly when a new one was put in. And spring for the one that fails in the open position. Also, like stated above, if your fan is coming on too late, that'll lead to some of your problem too.

 

thermostat is ok, it is airflow at idle, fan to small, low voltage alt output, temp switch set to high if adjustable,

 

If you replace the thermostat do not buy the cheapy one for only a few bucks more get the Hi-Flow unit and those Fords tend to do best with a 180 degree,when you installed the fan did you use a relay kit? also are you running a shroud?

 

Well the fans run as long as engine is running... I will be replacing the thermostat and flushing the system this weekend see what happens.

 

is there a gap between the rad and lower rad support? mine had a huge gap cause i installed a new rad and it was running hot. the air was being ****ed through it and not so much the rad. are you pushing or pulling the air?

 

If it used to work fine then I would rule out any air gaps unless something changed. I don't see how it would be the thermostat either. It has to be an air flow problem because when you start moving, more air is going thru the rad and you temperature drops. The thermostat is not going to open when the car starts moving then close when it stops. I would check the voltage at the fan as mentioned. Maybe it is running but not at full speed. Maybe it is working intermittently. I just changed mine because it was working sometimes causing my temps to be all over. Eventually it finally quit.