I have a 1953 Mercury flathead v8, I run 160 degree thermostats i just installed a half fan shroud and i run 50/50 antifreeze along with a rust inhibitor. i also have a 12" electric fan mounted on the front of the radiator. Will this setup work when i am driving in stop and go traffic? After i was done with these upgrades the running temp stays around 170-190 degrees. Should i worry about overheating issues when in traffic? Also my timming is set to TBC what should the timming be set at?
I prefer straight water with a wetting agent and a rust inhibitor, but with your other 'mods' your 50/50 mix is probably fine. I would set my timing at 4-6* BTDC - the timing mark ona stock 8BA is right at 4* BTDC If you have the stock distributor, throw it away and get a GMC Bubba converted distributor.
Living in Lomita, you won't need 50/50 water coolant. It wont get 34 below in our lifetime. Cut it back to 20percent coolant and recheck. Water cools better than anti freeze-coolant.
Get a stock 53 Merc rad for an automatic...have it rodded and cleaned. You will notice the diffrence. The top is marked: MA-B4 MO P10 3
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