My 66 air coupe w 327/300, never leaves the middle of the gauge without the a/c on. Cut it on, and it starts to climb up to around 220. Oh yeah, failed to mention that the outside temp has been hittin 95+.

Put a new fan clutch in early on, and have put in a new thermostat(180).

Rest of cooling system seems to be in great shape.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Is there such a thing as an electric auxillary fan that can be added that won't detract too much?

I also noticed that the a/c model took a 7 blade fan. Is there anything different about the clutch?

Thanks for any input. This is about the only thing left, before I start venturing out over 20-30 miles on my road trips.

I've got a great car, it just needs driving. Some rainy weekend day I'm going to post a note on the "begats" (one thing begats another), since I got it, and got a prefectionist working on it.

Looking forward to hearing from ya'll.

Frac :) GB

 

How old is the radiator?

When was the last time you flushed the coolent?

Is the coolent full?

Is this the Stock engine?

Does it have stock ignition?


As far as electric fans go, I think at idle they about equal out. I mean they put a draw on the alternator, and that makes the engine work harder which creates heat. I have one on my car and at idle it does little or nothing in the effect of lowering the coolent temp. I have a 160 thermostat, but the car runs 180 all the time in town or around 190-200 if I am rodding on it in town, when the OAT (outside air temp) is 95 100 degees. But if I drive it normal it stays at 180. If I am cruising down the interstate and flip the aux fan on it will drop to 160 after about 10 minutes. 160 is too cool so I really never use my electric fan.

I would flush the coolent if you have not done so, and ensure that the ignition is set and the vacuum advance is in order. Also make sure the fan shroud is on and in good shape. How old is the water pump, it may still work but they can get cruded up like the rest of the block and this inhibbits the impeller dynamics. If you are not a numbers guy you can get a good stock style pump for around $35.00. Is there much debris (bugs etc) blocking the radiator fins? IF so take an airhose and soft bristle brush and try and push them out. Also what is your idle speed? Try a few hundred rpm more and see if that helps.

Mark




[Modified by ghostrider20, 7:23 AM 7/23/2002]

 

AC cars had an extension on the shroud and some extra seals to help with this problem. Do you have them? You did not say how it reacts to speed. Is is getting hot at idle, at speed, or both?

 

Thank you both for the info. I forgot to mention that the wate pump was new, and the radiator is about 2-3 years old with almost no drive time.

When I started checking again today, it not only didn't have the shroud extension, it didn't have the lower seal or the upper air dam. I'm told that should make a lot of difference since it will hold the air where it is supposed to be. In answer to the other question, it just runs hot period, once it gets up to temp. When you cut the a/c off, it falls back to around 210.

Parts are on order.

Thanks again.

Frac :) GB

 

Is your relatively new radiator a DeWitt, Griffin, or an NOS Harrison #316?

If it isn't one of these three, it may not ever be able to handle Alabama heat. I know.

 

FRAC, I'm confused. In your first post you said the needle stays in the middle, in your last post you said, it just runs hot, turning off the A/C it goes back to 220. If it runs hot all the time and all your parts are in great working condition check to see that your vacuum advance is working along with the initial timing. My vacuum advance can was dead, replaced it and the overheating went away. No joke, all truth. :yesnod:

 

Don't worry, I talk like I write. When I said that it stayed in the middle, I knew what I was thinking, I just didn't say it right. To me, the middle is 210, and without the a/c on, it would get up to there, and stay there nicely. It is only when you cut on the a/c, that it climbs on up to the just about to the yellow.

We'll take your advise and check the vacuum advance.

Thanks again.

Frac :) GB