What Cools Me Down?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
What Cools Me Down?
'69 big block w/Vintage air. Stock fan and 4 row desert cooler radiator topped off, water and some Prestone; 10,000 miles on it. Driving south on the 101 in LA traffic Friday afternoon. Typical stop and go, temperture rising so AC off.
About another 15 miles of this and the motor shuts off-too hot to run.
So I give it about 5 minutes on the side of the road and open the expansion tank......oh ya....good idea....minute and a half of green geyser-puked it all out.
I was lucky enough to get some quick help from a free road service.
who put 4-1/2 gallons of H2O back in.
So the question: Will a good electric fan set-up correct this or do I also need a big fat aluminum radiator too?
Just a note-timing and machanically good, ran well at speed-
About another 15 miles of this and the motor shuts off-too hot to run.
So I give it about 5 minutes on the side of the road and open the expansion tank......oh ya....good idea....minute and a half of green geyser-puked it all out.
I was lucky enough to get some quick help from a free road service.
who put 4-1/2 gallons of H2O back in.
So the question: Will a good electric fan set-up correct this or do I also need a big fat aluminum radiator too?
Just a note-timing and machanically good, ran well at speed-
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
Is your shroud sealed well to the radiator ?
Lets go with all is working , I would start with 2 nice powerful fans and set it up on the radiator you have. If you still have any issue then you are going to have to spring for that aluminum radiator.
Although taking it apart 2 times may make it worth just getting the rad and fan system all at once and going with it one time and being done with it.
Lets go with all is working , I would start with 2 nice powerful fans and set it up on the radiator you have. If you still have any issue then you are going to have to spring for that aluminum radiator.
Although taking it apart 2 times may make it worth just getting the rad and fan system all at once and going with it one time and being done with it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
I agree......you described the result in detail, now we need to know a lot of details about your car.....sounds like a sweet ride! That 101 is a car killer for sure......
Fan clutch, seals, water pump, even the cap, all work together....
More details and even some pics and we'll get it worked out....
Fan clutch, seals, water pump, even the cap, all work together....
More details and even some pics and we'll get it worked out....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
It may depend on what you want to do with the car. If you want it to stay pretty much original, then fan clutch, t-stat, rad seals, maybe pump and rod out the radiator.
If you don't mind some mods and spending a few $$ then a Dewitts aluminum rad, new seals, and a good electric fan setup.
This has the additional benefit of really cleaning up the ngine bay and making life under there easier.
Be sure and verify your timing, you probably know but retarded timing will make it run hot also.
If you don't mind some mods and spending a few $$ then a Dewitts aluminum rad, new seals, and a good electric fan setup.
This has the additional benefit of really cleaning up the ngine bay and making life under there easier.
Be sure and verify your timing, you probably know but retarded timing will make it run hot also.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
You should have about a 50/50 mix of antifreeze (full strength) and distilled water for your coolant. The pressure cap on your car might be defective; it needs to be a 15 psi cap.
Fan needs to work properly and shroud/seals need to be in place. You should not be having overheating problems with the system you have.
Fan needs to work properly and shroud/seals need to be in place. You should not be having overheating problems with the system you have.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Thamks for all the replys. Just to keep the first post shorter I said good mechanically and it is; seals, clutch, cap, shroud, timing, even mix (50-50), all pretty well kept up. The car is not original so mods are fine. I want to drive the car with confidence that it won't leave us stranded in the middle of the freeway...
So does Diehrd make the best point of only taking it apart once for fans and radiator or do the electric fans make a significant difference-even with a pretty decent brass 4 row? Anybody just do the fans?
It is just great to have a forum like this to draw opinions from-thanks again for all your interest and time!
So does Diehrd make the best point of only taking it apart once for fans and radiator or do the electric fans make a significant difference-even with a pretty decent brass 4 row? Anybody just do the fans?
It is just great to have a forum like this to draw opinions from-thanks again for all your interest and time!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Aransas Pass TEXAS
I chased this problem to death. I changed to an aluminum radiator and 10" electric fans. Didn't work. I went to 14" fans didn't work. Come to find out. My splitter was missing in the front. A $50.00 piece of plastic fixed everything. If your not missing the splitter. Be Cool Radiator makes a great setup. I went another "cheaper" way. I wish I hadn't. Hope this helps.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Oh it quit. Pressed the gas pedal and nothing, pushed in the clutch to save what momentum I had and the motor died, coasted 70 yards to a stop.
By splitter I'm gussing the light plastic spoiler below the front bumper?
It's there...
By splitter I'm gussing the light plastic spoiler below the front bumper?
It's there...
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 7
From: l In
Thamks for all the replys. Just to keep the first post shorter I said good mechanically and it is; seals, clutch, cap, shroud, timing, even mix (50-50), all pretty well kept up. The car is not original so mods are fine. I want to drive the car with confidence that it won't leave us stranded in the middle of the freeway...
So does Diehrd make the best point of only taking it apart once for fans and radiator or do the electric fans make a significant difference-even with a pretty decent brass 4 row? Anybody just do the fans?
It is just great to have a forum like this to draw opinions from-thanks again for all your interest and time!
So does Diehrd make the best point of only taking it apart once for fans and radiator or do the electric fans make a significant difference-even with a pretty decent brass 4 row? Anybody just do the fans?
It is just great to have a forum like this to draw opinions from-thanks again for all your interest and time!
