cooling question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
cooling question
would it be possible and useful to hook up the wiper fluid reservior to a set of misters near the radiator for short-term cooling help (such as climbing hills)? i noticed a large temp increase when cruising up hills over the weekend (i-40 through northern az), and it got me thinking about making a toggle-switched mister setup.
my specific questions involve the pressure put out by the pump, and the effectiveness of the mist if anyone has done this. keep in mind that this is an AZ car, so the mist would likely have a pretty rapid cooling effect on the air.
my specific questions involve the pressure put out by the pump, and the effectiveness of the mist if anyone has done this. keep in mind that this is an AZ car, so the mist would likely have a pretty rapid cooling effect on the air.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind
The best cooling mod I made for the money was a high flow water pump (and thermostat) made by Stewart Industries. It was under $100, only took about 1 1/2 hrs. to swap out and I could see an immediate improvement in cooling, plus my washers still work. I'll bet you get some big ole bugs on the windshield in the Az. desert at night!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Originally Posted by Nemesis_152
would it be possible and useful to hook up the wiper fluid reservior to a set of misters near the radiator for short-term cooling help (such as climbing hills)? i noticed a large temp increase when cruising up hills over the weekend (i-40 through northern az), and it got me thinking about making a toggle-switched mister setup.
my specific questions involve the pressure put out by the pump, and the effectiveness of the mist if anyone has done this. keep in mind that this is an AZ car, so the mist would likely have a pretty rapid cooling effect on the air.
my specific questions involve the pressure put out by the pump, and the effectiveness of the mist if anyone has done this. keep in mind that this is an AZ car, so the mist would likely have a pretty rapid cooling effect on the air.
I don't think your idea of using the washer pump to try to cool your car down will make a difference. Depending on how hot your car is getting it would probably be cheaper to just add an electric fan to your rad.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,503
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by Nemesis_152
would it be possible and useful to hook up the wiper fluid reservior to a set of misters near the radiator for short-term cooling help (such as climbing hills)? i noticed a large temp increase when cruising up hills over the weekend (i-40 through northern az), and it got me thinking about making a toggle-switched mister setup.
my specific questions involve the pressure put out by the pump, and the effectiveness of the mist if anyone has done this. keep in mind that this is an AZ car, so the mist would likely have a pretty rapid cooling effect on the air.
my specific questions involve the pressure put out by the pump, and the effectiveness of the mist if anyone has done this. keep in mind that this is an AZ car, so the mist would likely have a pretty rapid cooling effect on the air.
As to engine cooling, it would probably be better to mist the intake air to the carburator to reduce combustion temperatures--this is not a new idea-->
http://www.invoauto.co.uk/Products/W..._vapor_jet.htm
Doing it this way allows manifold vacuum to draw the vapor in--no pump.
That said, a Dewitts Aluminum radiator, big fan/water pump are the way to go.
.
Last edited by PhotoVette1; Jul 19, 2006 at 07:08 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Man, I thought some of my ideas were crazy. The mechanicals of our cars have been engineered to perform if set up properly. Its when we make changes or systems need servicing that causes them to not work efficiently. Fix your problem don't add to them.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Recently was driving my 78 Vette out in Amboy,Ca for two days....when pulling a gradual grade with A/C on in ambient air at 110 F,coolant temps creeped to 215-220...I shut down A/C and slowed to 60 mph..temps dropped to 205 or so...
I checked on what my clutch fan was calibrated at after returning...found out my thermal clutch comes on around 180 and does not fully engage until underhood temps(air thru rad) reach 210-220...
My old standard clutch fan worked differently..in same conditions,it would not exceed 205 with A/C on...but,I had to keep speed around 60 mph....
Another factor out there ground temps were 151 F.(Raytek readings)..this contributes quite a load on the system as vette just soaks up the heat..
Misting would evaporate quite quickly under such extreme conditions,and don't think it would drastically reduce operating temps..IMO..
I checked on what my clutch fan was calibrated at after returning...found out my thermal clutch comes on around 180 and does not fully engage until underhood temps(air thru rad) reach 210-220...
My old standard clutch fan worked differently..in same conditions,it would not exceed 205 with A/C on...but,I had to keep speed around 60 mph....
Another factor out there ground temps were 151 F.(Raytek readings)..this contributes quite a load on the system as vette just soaks up the heat..
Misting would evaporate quite quickly under such extreme conditions,and don't think it would drastically reduce operating temps..IMO..
Last edited by rihwoods; Jul 19, 2006 at 11:05 AM.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,366
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by Nemesis_152
would it be possible and useful to hook up the wiper fluid reservior to a set of misters near the radiator for short-term cooling help (such as climbing hills)? i noticed a large temp increase when cruising up hills over the weekend (i-40 through northern az), and it got me thinking about making a toggle-switched mister setup.
my specific questions involve the pressure put out by the pump, and the effectiveness of the mist if anyone has done this. keep in mind that this is an AZ car, so the mist would likely have a pretty rapid cooling effect on the air.
my specific questions involve the pressure put out by the pump, and the effectiveness of the mist if anyone has done this. keep in mind that this is an AZ car, so the mist would likely have a pretty rapid cooling effect on the air.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,023
Likes: 1,181
From: La Mesa CA
For those of you living back in the humid east, misters are a way of life in the desert southwest. In places like Arizona and Palm Springs in California, there are misters spraying above outside dining areas in restaurants and sidewalks. It is amazing to watch the water evaporate before it hits the ground. And the cooling effect is amazing. The change of phase of water absorbs a lot of energy, and thus heat. Many homes are cooled with what are known as "swamp coolers", which is essentially water evaporating in front of a fan. The key to the cooling is obviously how dry the air is. This only works in a low humidity area.
When it comes to cooling cars, "back in the old days" people driving in the desert would hang fabric or burlap bags filled with water over the front of their radiators. As the water would seep out of the bag and evaporate it would cool the air entering the radiator.
When it comes to cooling cars, "back in the old days" people driving in the desert would hang fabric or burlap bags filled with water over the front of their radiators. As the water would seep out of the bag and evaporate it would cool the air entering the radiator.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
They do make such a system for RV's...but..the water tank capacity is around 12 gallons...
I really think an engine oil cooler is a better option...my Trooper had one...no cooling issues in the desert lugging around in that thing...or pulling hills...
I really think an engine oil cooler is a better option...my Trooper had one...no cooling issues in the desert lugging around in that thing...or pulling hills...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Originally Posted by gwgwgw
When it comes to cooling cars, "back in the old days" people driving in the desert would hang fabric or burlap bags filled with water over the front of their radiators. As the water would seep out of the bag and evaporate it would cool the air entering the radiator.
Before I get flamed here, how hot did the car get on the hills? Did it continue to climb or did it cool back down. Or do you just need a project?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
like i said, this was just something i was thinking of, not something i was seriously considering doing...that's the problem with a 3 hour solo car ride with no stereo 
i was just curious if it would work, not trying to engineer the thing
i was just curious if it would work, not trying to engineer the thing
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by kevinator80
There you go. Get you a burlap bag, spray nozzel and a tank trailer to pull behind the vette. Cooling issue solved.
Before I get flamed here, how hot did the car get on the hills? Did it continue to climb or did it cool back down. Or do you just need a project?
Before I get flamed here, how hot did the car get on the hills? Did it continue to climb or did it cool back down. Or do you just need a project?
i've got to be the only 22 year old pilot who drives 15 mph UNDER the speed limit
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by kmac73
My 73 run between 210-220 which is what my owners manual says is normal operating temp. Saw a product called "40 BELOW" at Eckler's has anyone used this?
Just kidding...From archives...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=856330
Last edited by rihwoods; Jul 20, 2006 at 02:55 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Originally Posted by kmac73
My 73 run between 210-220 which is what my owners manual says is normal operating temp. Saw a product called "40 BELOW" at Eckler's has anyone used this?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
My 69 owners manual:
"During normal operation,gauge will indicate around the 210 mark.Hard driving,heavy traffic with stop and go,or prolonged idling in hot weather will produce a gauge reading around 230....."
Goes on to stay shut it down if it gets to 250...and determine cause...
"During normal operation,gauge will indicate around the 210 mark.Hard driving,heavy traffic with stop and go,or prolonged idling in hot weather will produce a gauge reading around 230....."
Goes on to stay shut it down if it gets to 250...and determine cause...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
Originally Posted by rihwoods
My 69 owners manual:
"During normal operation,gauge will indicate around the 210 mark.Hard driving,heavy traffic with stop and go,or prolonged idling in hot weather will produce a gauge reading around 230....."
Goes on to stay shut it down if it gets to 250...and determine cause...
"During normal operation,gauge will indicate around the 210 mark.Hard driving,heavy traffic with stop and go,or prolonged idling in hot weather will produce a gauge reading around 230....."
Goes on to stay shut it down if it gets to 250...and determine cause...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind
Originally Posted by ffas23
Haven't looked at my manual on my 73' in probably 25 years but I never saw it run hotter then 195. Actually just about everything I drive very seldom will goe past 200 unless sitting in traffic on a very hot day.
My car stays cool in traffic, but sometimes I go over 200* in traffic on a very hot day.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by Nemesis_152
like i said, this was just something i was thinking of, not something i was seriously considering doing...that's the problem with a 3 hour solo car ride with no stereo
i was just curious if it would work, not trying to engineer the thing
i was just curious if it would work, not trying to engineer the thing
Yes, it would work, I just don't know how well.
It's this kind of thinking that causes advancement, even if the specific idea doesn't quite work out.