Dumb radiator question
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
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From: Davie, NC
Moderator
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From: Virginia
In the old days, many of us filled the radiator with water in the summertime. At 180 (or 195) degrees, the water is well on its way to boiling. Therefore, we would put in a 160 degree thermostat. In fact, some people ran their vehicles without a thermostat.
which is untrue also. He does not understand how a cooling system works. The reason you run a radiator cap that builds pressure in the system is to raise the boiling point. The boiling point of water is 212F at sea level. If you raise the pressure, the boiling point goes up. So he was no where near boiling over like he thinks.
Here's a calculator that you can plug numbers in to play with the boiling point. At sea level the atmospheric pressure is 14.7(select psia as your units) If you plug in 14.7, you get a boiling point of 212F
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/b...ter-d_926.html
A lot of the very old cars ran a 7psi cap. If you plug in 14.7+7=21.7 and that gives you a boiling point of 232.2F
My diesel and some of the later trucks ran a 13 psi cap. 14.7+13=27.7 and that gives you a boiling point of 245.8F
A lot of the modern cars and trucks run a 16psi cap. 14.7+16=30.7 and that gives you a boiling point of 251.7F
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
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From: Florence, SC
I agree with Franklin - that's simply not true.
For the record, I run a 195* thermostat in my carbureted 1985 Ford F150. I live in the South East, where temperatures in the Summer are often well above 100* and humidity even worse. I never change out my thermostat and I don't have any issues.
For the record, I run a 195* thermostat in my carbureted 1985 Ford F150. I live in the South East, where temperatures in the Summer are often well above 100* and humidity even worse. I never change out my thermostat and I don't have any issues.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 143
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From: Davie, NC
The shroud is really up to you, doesn't serve much for cooling, more of a safety thing. Around here the old timers still swap out their thermostats as they swear by it. Not sure if they run water in the summer but I doubt it. When you swapped for your winter tires you got a new thermostat and maybe a set of chains with your oil change. But for the shroud, I would personally get one, protects fingers and toes along with hoses and wires for not much money from NPD.
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From: Virginia
The fan shroud is very important. The further away the actual fan blades are from the radiator, the more important it is. When the fan is pulling air, the air would much rather come in from the sides in the engine compartment rather than coming through the radiator, so it will over heat in city driving without the shroud. The 300 six is going to be the only engine that might have the fan close enough that you could get away with it, but I would not count on it working very well.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
Dave F. got it all right.
I would plug that line and test the system as the truck is new to you so you can see if anything else shows up like needing a shroud.
BTW for 81 300 six LMC list 2 for that truck and you need the numbers off the old shroud. I think why the 2 is early & late and your radiator would be a late shroud but could be wrong.
I know this because I don't have a shroud for my 81 300 six.
Dave ----
I would plug that line and test the system as the truck is new to you so you can see if anything else shows up like needing a shroud.
BTW for 81 300 six LMC list 2 for that truck and you need the numbers off the old shroud. I think why the 2 is early & late and your radiator would be a late shroud but could be wrong.
I know this because I don't have a shroud for my 81 300 six.
Dave ----
Posting Guru
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From: Northern Indiana USA
I've seen rubber "caps" at auto parts stores, that are held in place with a clamp.
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Junior User
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Found some caps thanks everyone for all the help but I do have another question I ordered a rebuilt carb for truck it has only a hot air choke my current carb has hot air and electric choke will that be a problem using just the hot air choke ???
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Fonzie beat me to it and he is right about the 2 tubes coming out the filler neck.
Top one is for the coolant recovery tank.
Bottom one is part of the throttle body heater setup used on EFI models.
Top one is for the coolant recovery tank.
Bottom one is part of the throttle body heater setup used on EFI models.
Moderator
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From: Virginia
Should work ok if your hot air pipe is not rusted out and has vacuum on it. The electric is just an assist to help it open up quicker in warmer weather. So that will only come into play in the summer, and you can probably make a quick adjustment on it if necessary then.
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