Got a 1954 Ford F-100 want to know what kind , size, location AC condenser you used -- I have mine located in front of my 3-row radiator with 16" Spal puller fan---but not happy -- pictures please

 

Problems cooling at idle or also at speed? What is your problem with it?

 

When starting out cold driving I think it gets up to 180 degrees on gauge temp to fast and the fan set-up works good on at 210 off at 180 degrees but I think it is over working . I do not even use AC just got all hooked up not charged--- I am concerned AC condenser is taking to much rad area up-- MUST be another type condenser someone used--LOWER--LONGER or ? -- I can put dryer in on inner fender

 

That's the exact same set up I have on both of mine (Vintage Air Sure Fit Kit ) I have no problems..Only difference to my pickup is that it has a mechanical clutch fan, my panel has the electric puller fan..

 

When you say "it gets up to 180 degrees on gauge temp to fast....", just how quick is too fast, and what are the cycle times between fan operation? How far away from the radiator core is the condenser?

 

Driving 10 minutes-- condenser 1 " away from Rad. Vintage Air instructions--- at idle in my yard testing it --goes on at 210 for 3 minutes goes back on in 5 minutes-- NO AC on---

 

Mine is installed by the Vintage Air instructions, have you given them a call to explain what's happening, I found them very good to deal with..they might give you a quicker answer than you'd get here...

 

Assuming you have a thermostat by-pass, I would bump that condenser out another 1/2". Where you put the filter/dryer is irrelevant as long as it's accessible.

 

Does your water pump have a bypass, I also have a Vintage Air front runner in my panel ( 5.7 liter sbc) it didn't have a bypass because of the supplied pump . I had over heating problems until I made a bypass by tapping into my return heater hose to the intake manifold. When I used the bypass thermostat they provided I couldn't get the engine up to operating temperature below 55° air temperature..

 

Try setting the fan ON temp at 180 OFF at something less like 165. I believe it's common to start the electric fan at the thermostat setting. As Bob mentioned verify a small bypass flow. If not a 3/16" hole can be drilled in the thermostat.

 

Ford 302 has a By- Pass hose from water pump to thermostat housing

 

Same as my 351, just thought I'd ask..

 

Sorry to hear your still having problems. I don't think your condenser is to far from the radiator and with proper flow through the radiator should be fine. I do have two question though, What are the 3 holes in the fan shroud for and is that interfering with the efforts of the fan to draw the needed amount of air through ALL the coaling fins? One other thing that got me to thinking was if the head gaskets were incorrectly installed , it could cause some over heating issues. Look down at each front lower corner of the head and block and see if the square corner of the head gasket is visible, if not they are installed wrong.

 

My panel is set up the same way except for the SBC , I made my own shroud and didn't put those holes and didn't need them..

 

The square corner on gaskets are visible like stated above-- to EXPLAIN myself --- I do not have over heating problems anymore heating fan sensor is working correct and cools it back down to 180 degrees NO problem -- I am saying with the Vintage Air condenser as they instructed is blocking a lot of air --- I just thought it went up to 180 degrees fast but then again I got to understand it is a NEW tight motor with 30 miles on it ---- the cooling problem is solved--

Just looking for other ideas on different type AC condenser-- such as a longer one and a narrow one to install at low part of radiator , then I will have 65 % of rad. open instead of 10% that Vintag Air engineered--- I am dealing with the Vice President of the Co on this problem --- Me and my Friend which is a Street Rod builder installed lots of VA equipment but never see a problem like this unit from the start