Commuting in a slick
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
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Commuting in a slick
Hey guys I haven't started a thread in awhile but I've been thinking about something. I own a 1964 f100 with a 292 a 3 speed on the column with a 3.89 ratio in the rear. I've been using my truck for about a year and a half as a daily driver. I ran into some issues along the way but for over a year now my truck has become very reliable.
I graduated high school and will need to start commuting 25-30 minutes daily to Memphis university for classes soon. The drive is mostly on the highway and I'm sure there will be traffic at times.
Now here's the question, what will make my truck more commuter friendly? How can I avoid the issues of overheating in this Memphis heat with the downtown traffic? Any other thoughts, opinions, and advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
I graduated high school and will need to start commuting 25-30 minutes daily to Memphis university for classes soon. The drive is mostly on the highway and I'm sure there will be traffic at times.
Now here's the question, what will make my truck more commuter friendly? How can I avoid the issues of overheating in this Memphis heat with the downtown traffic? Any other thoughts, opinions, and advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
If the cooling system is in good shape you'll have no problems. When was the last time the radiator and block was flushed? Note the pipe fittings on the block just above the oil pan, these can be removed to flush accumulated rust and scale sediment, this isn't normally done but it's a safe bet if your engine hasn't been opened up in a while it would help a lot. Another thing that's sometimes overlooked is ignition timing, if it is retarded or distributor is defective this can cause overheating.
Use a quality Motorcraft 180F thermostat and a suitable glycol mix - maybe 40/60 in your area - and you're all set.
Use a quality Motorcraft 180F thermostat and a suitable glycol mix - maybe 40/60 in your area - and you're all set.
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Senior User
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It was flushed about a year and a half ago. I don't have any issues with overheating unless it's a warm day and I leave the truck idling for a long time. I just don't know how well it would do on a mid August afternoon in heavy traffic
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I have found over here in NC that that these old Fords won't sit and idle like the newer cars. I have found if it is hot and you are stuck in traffic idle it up a bit and if you are between lights stay in 2nd gear to keep the engine turning faster. With the large frontal opening it is my belief that when moving forward 20mph you don't need a fan.
Keep a good 50/50 mix, I like Prestone and grocery store distilled water and you should be ok.
John
Keep a good 50/50 mix, I like Prestone and grocery store distilled water and you should be ok.
John
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 144
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From: Skagit County, WA
I've had great luck retrofitting Ford contour electric fans. It's a dual fan set up with a shroud, they flow a huge amount, are cheap and quiet. I've used them on trucks, 5.0 Mustangs and a Jeep. The electric fans solve the problem of the engine fan not turning fast enough at idle and can turn off when not needed with a proper relay and sensor.
They have a fairly significant amp draw, so you could be looking at an alternator upgrade.
They have a fairly significant amp draw, so you could be looking at an alternator upgrade.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
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Does anyone know where I can locate a fan spacer? My fan is way to far away from the radiator (I don't have a spacer), I still haven't had any real issues of overheating but I just want to be certain
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
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Can you place some square aluminum tubing between the radiator, and radiator mount to bring the radiator closer to the fan? Drill holes in tubing for bolt holes, get longer bolts to accommodate, and trim the radiator hose to fit . . .
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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Fan spacers can be found at Summit or Jegs, maybe even at a local parts store.
The tricky part about a spacer is if you have the original truck pump, then it has a 3/4" shaft, but most spacers will be for a more common 5/8" shaft.
The tricky part about a spacer is if you have the original truck pump, then it has a 3/4" shaft, but most spacers will be for a more common 5/8" shaft.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
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You know this is probably a good point jo: If there is a problem then check to make sure everything there is working: thermostat, radiator is not gummed up, etc.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 11
From: Townsend, MT
I have found over here in NC that that these old Fords won't sit and idle like the newer cars. I have found if it is hot and you are stuck in traffic idle it up a bit and if you are between lights stay in 2nd gear to keep the engine turning faster. With the large frontal opening it is my belief that when moving forward 20mph you don't need a fan.
Keep a good 50/50 mix, I like Prestone and grocery store distilled water and you should be ok.
John
Keep a good 50/50 mix, I like Prestone and grocery store distilled water and you should be ok.
John
So wouldn't a shroud help the engine run cooler when sitting in traffic and allow you to keep your rpm's down when driving between lights to save gas?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2014
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That's what I was thinking, I've never overheated but I think a shroud and spacer might just be that extra "cushion" so I can be certain that I'll be fine while sitting in traffic
