Everyone,

I have a 1955 Ford F100. I have a built 460 in it. I was wondering what temp range you'll usually run at average? Mine seems to run a little warm from my point of view. I have the stock radiator thats been redone. A standard water pump. Electric Fan. Think I have a med to low range thermostat. I was thinking on replacing Radiator with a better one? I know some of you have a US Radiator Desert Cooler. I know some of you have a 70s Radiator. Dont mind spending the $$ but if a 70s style works well will do that. Need some info from you'll about what radiator you installed plus what temps you'll run at???

Thanks and happy Fathers Day,

Patrick

 

I'm not sure what your question is....

If you have a thermostat in it it will run approx at the thermostat temp....

If it runs higher you need a bigger radiator, more fan or a better sealing shroud and/ or all three.


If you were not going to tow with it the 55 OEM radiator might be ok. If you were going to load it up, that rad might not be enough.


Most gasoline engines want to run at around 180-200 degrees. You want to run them fairly hot since higher temps will evaporate all the water vapor out of the oil.



I hope this helps,



Regards,


Rick

 

Yeah on a Hot day it hovers around 180 but after about 30 to 60 mins(driving into town) it keeps climbing well over 200.

Thanks,

Patrick

 

You might want test the thermostat. or just replace it with a 180 or 190. They are fairly cheap. I'm assuming that you have checked the radiator for being plugged etc.

 

What you are describing sounds quite normal for a vehicle with an electric fan. Typically, the temperature switch that controls the fan is set to turn the fan on about 210°. So driving around town the engine will run hotter.

It has to setup this way so the electric fan will shut off at some temperature above the thermostat setting otherwise the thermostat will hold the engine temperature up high enough to keep the electric fan running when it's no longer needed.

Craig

 

I think my Fan turns on around 190 degrees. But my temp keeps climbing. It might keep climbing but normally I dont run it that long because Im scared of overheating. I would like it to run around 190-200 but Im not sure my rodded out Radiator can handle my motor.

Patrick

 

Patrick -

Cooling is always a balancing act between heat produced and cooling capacity. I run a warmed up 351C behind a stock radiator with an electric fan during So Cal summers. What cfm does your fan put out? Perhaps you just need more fan capacity to handle the in-town driving.

Does the motor run hot at highway speeds? If not, then the radiator capacity is sufficient and the fan would the culprit. There are some nice, thin, S-blade (quiet) 3200 cfm fans on the market for 1/4 of the cost of a new radiator (~$120 at Summit or Jegs).

Just a thought....

 

I'm running a 70s Dodge truck 3 row radiator with a mechanical clutch fan, 180 degree thermostat and no shroud. My engine runs 180 degrees all day long...driving at highway speed or idling even on the hottest day. Of course, we don't have many of those in New Hampshire...

 

I'm running the same radiator as Vern in front of my 500ci Caddy. I run between 200 and 220. I know that sounds a bit warm but these big Caddy engines normally ran just shy of 220 from the factory. I don't have any kind of shrouding or electric cooling fans either.

Bobby

 

Cant remember what my Fan Turns at but it is the big one. Think I got it at Mid Fifty. Great answers so far.