Okay I know there are threads about this but not exactly what I'm looking for. The SBC is running great. I have a 185* thermostat installed. The gauge stays around 185-190 running down the road. When were in the stop and go it heats up into the 210-220's. There is no shroud. I believe it's an early 65ish mustang radiator in the 32 housing. Do I need to bend some metal and mount it under the front of the radiator to run air across the front or find an actual 32 shroud to cover the back of the radiator around the fan?
First question, is the system pressurised ? If not pressurised, the 210-220 temp is at the point of boiling and puking water out.. If it is pressurised, the operating temp can/will raise 3 degrees for every lb of pressure. So if your'e running a 13lb cap, the boiling point will raise up to approx 250 degrees, before it releases pressure (boils). So the temps your talking about, aren't a problem.. When I built my 32, I had a radiator out of a (Ford I think???) tractor, fitted in the 32 cowl like it was made for it..
It has been burping here and there getting the air out. I have made sure before every usage that the radiator was topped off. I believe it's a 16lb cap. Not sure.
Maybe you need to let the radiator seek it's own water level rather than refilling it between each drive?
<<<My cooling situation is the same as yours. My temps run the same as yours. I am running a Griffin aluminum radiator w/ a 7 blade flex fan 1/2 inch from the radiator. I installed a MOON water recovery tank on the front that takes care of the puke problem. Hope this helps....................
Trying to imagine that. Isn't it too short? Hood or no hood? PICTURES! 210-220 with a pressure cap is not panic stations.
I suggest a shroud on the rear of the radiator, so the fan draws air through the entire radiator core. That should keep the coolant around 200 max when the traffic is stop and go.
Engine bay pic,,and pic of front of engine,showing fan/hose's,an pic of front of rod,are all a big help for those trying to help you.What looks all good to you,may infact have a small thing out of place that others can tell ya about.
Agree with all the above. A good general rule is that if it's fine when moving but gets hot when stopped/in traffic, then the primary issue is air flow from the fan. Either need a better fan shroud or a higher output fan. The radiator is capable of cooling the engine with enough airflow, you've proved that by travelling at speed. Obviously check the usual suspects like timing too.
I recently changed the tri power to a single 4 barrel with intake and a protronix flame thrower dizzy. So I did have to top off the radiator after it burped the air from the system. No hood, fan is about an inch from the radiator.
The fan looks like it’s not too big around, and possibly too far away from the fins, and it’s also one of those flexy fans that flatten out. I could almost guarantee a good shroud would help your problem.
By the looks of your picture I can see that you need a shroud. All your fan is doing is blowing around a lot of air and not thru the radiator like it should be doing. Your aim should be to pull all the air you can across the fins for maximum cooling and you're not doing that.
I run a 160 in a my 32 Roadster. I have a Z 4 inch core Walker and use a cooling Concept electric fan with their shroud. On my Fordor sedan, I have a Walker 4inch core with a mechanical flex blade fan with a plastic WS-40 Max Air shroud. Again, 160 thermostat. Seating in Heavy traffic, each car may get to 198 degrees but once it starts moving it recover quickly. Also each has a Deuce Factory 15 inch over flow tank attached to the radiators
Dudes have made their custom fan shroud out of cardboard then used fiberglass resin to make it solid. A second layer of resin and matting and she should be good. A quick sanding and rattle can black and nobody is the wiser... I used those tough blue paper shop towels as matting with great success when using fiberglass resin to jerry rig a rusty trunk floor in some old hoopty I was daily driving.
For more complicated shapes some people have made something like a plywood frame where the edges of the shroud has to go (including a round piece for the fan hole), and then staple stretchy fleece fabric to it. Soak the fabric in laminating polyester and let it cure and you now have a solid base to add a couple of layers of fiberglass and polyester until you are satisfied with the strength and rigidity, and you now have a shroud with some nice rounded shapes that may even look aerodynamic.
The Jalopy Journal
