How to get Maximum cooling when pulling?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 98
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From: Yelm, Washington
How to get Maximum cooling when pulling?
We have a '95 F250 4x4 with a 460 auto. We have a power chip and have put new cats and exhaust on. We have already blown our tranny due to the gears being to high, we put in new 4-10's. Rebuilt tranny with shift kit and heavy duty tranny cooler. Our engine however continues to get extremely hot when pulling grades. We are continually getting exhaust leaks at the manifold.My husband read something about replacing the original fan and replacing it with dual electric fans. Anyone heard of this? Does it help?
More info for you, we have a 8 foot camper and pull a 12' Interstate trailer with motorcycles in it. We have to climb passes no matter what direction we take when we leave home. Average elevation 2500' to '3500 but sometimes up to 8000'.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
I don't think the dual electric fans will be enough. I would use a flex fan inside the engine compartment and install a pusher electric fan on the outside. This should help cool the tranny oil. Are you using two exhaust manifold gaskets or some type of heavy duty gasket? Installing headers requires a bit of maintence sometimes.
What is the condition of your radiator?
What is the condition of your radiator?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 98
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From: Yelm, Washington
Radiator seems to be in good shape. We don't have headers. As far as the manifold gasket, my husband seems to think that the 460 for that year doesn't use a gasket. I can't figure that one out.
We took out the cats and put straight exhaust on once and that was a big mistake. The truck never seemed to run right. We were told that without the back pressure, the sensors were not reading things right. It cost us a lot to put back on the cats and new, two into one, exhaust.
I will check on the fan idea. Thanks!
We took out the cats and put straight exhaust on once and that was a big mistake. The truck never seemed to run right. We were told that without the back pressure, the sensors were not reading things right. It cost us a lot to put back on the cats and new, two into one, exhaust.
I will check on the fan idea. Thanks!
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
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Electric fan will not provide the airflow you need for towing, they do not pull enough SCFM when compared to an engine driven fan and clutch assembly. I do not recommend the flex fan either, they're not safe, no matter what is advertised. Electrics don't provide much help over ~30 mph
Things to check:
Is your fan clutch good? Is it engaging when your coolant temp is reaching ~230?
Do you still have your fan shroud? If not, get one so that you get the proper airflow over your heat exchangers
What condition is your rad in? Check your fins for debris.
Is your waterpump providing adequate flow? The impeller may be wearing out if you ever had cavitation (especially if your truck is prone to overheating/nucleate boiling
If all these items are good, then try to keep your RPM's below 3000 if possible. Slow down to maintain a gear that keeps you in that range. If the RPM's are too low, then trans cooling becomes an issue as well. Better to get there slower, and cooler, than not at all
Things to check:
Is your fan clutch good? Is it engaging when your coolant temp is reaching ~230?
Do you still have your fan shroud? If not, get one so that you get the proper airflow over your heat exchangers
What condition is your rad in? Check your fins for debris.
Is your waterpump providing adequate flow? The impeller may be wearing out if you ever had cavitation (especially if your truck is prone to overheating/nucleate boiling
If all these items are good, then try to keep your RPM's below 3000 if possible. Slow down to maintain a gear that keeps you in that range. If the RPM's are too low, then trans cooling becomes an issue as well. Better to get there slower, and cooler, than not at all
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Ronnie makes some good points. Flex fans caused quite a bit of trouble in the 70's and 80's when stock fans were failing. Aftermarket fans can fail as well and a regular inspectation of the rivet points is required to prevent one from throwing a blade.
A electric fan on the front of your radiator will help out quite a bit. This will assist when you are towing and not drawing much air through the radiator as in towing uphill. Several trucks are sold stock with an electric pusher on the front with a stock clutch fan set up.
A electric fan on the front of your radiator will help out quite a bit. This will assist when you are towing and not drawing much air through the radiator as in towing uphill. Several trucks are sold stock with an electric pusher on the front with a stock clutch fan set up.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: Houston/Hope BC
Hmmm, I wonder a bit about the power chip. It may be running a more aggresive advance curve. If it is easy, you might try swapping the stock back in for grins and giggles. Otherwise, all else I can think of is cramming the largest radiator you can get into it. GL
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
I feel that Ecuri may have pinpointed the chip as the real problem. I have a practically identical F-250 and see no signs of overheating when towing a trailer with tractor comination that weighs around 9K.
Try the stock timing setup before replacing any expensive parts. If you still have an overheating problem, I'd do the easy things first, beginning with a cooling system flush and thermostat replacement.
Lou Braun
Try the stock timing setup before replacing any expensive parts. If you still have an overheating problem, I'd do the easy things first, beginning with a cooling system flush and thermostat replacement.
Lou Braun
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 17
From: Hesperia, CA
I guess I got lucky with the flex fan. I have over 180,000 miles on mine. I did replace the water pump with the Edelbrock Unit. It helped a little bit, but I like the 1 3/4" bearing the best. You would appreciate the larger bearing if you have ever lost a fan blade due to a snapped water pump shaft. I would definately change the chip back to stock and see if the overheating goes away.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 98
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From: Yelm, Washington
I think we may have figured the problem out. When we had the tranny rebuilt, he installed a second tranny cooler which he mounted right next to the first one. They are side by side in front of the air conditioner unit and then comes a two core radiator.
With all those other units mounted in front of a small two core radiator, no wonder it doesn't keep the engine cool. We moved the second tranny cooler off to the side and are now going to install a four core radiator. This hopefully will fix the problem. I'll let ya know as soon as we can afford the fuel to actually go on a camping trip. Our next trip out will be on our street bikes- fuel is somewhat cheaper that way!
With all those other units mounted in front of a small two core radiator, no wonder it doesn't keep the engine cool. We moved the second tranny cooler off to the side and are now going to install a four core radiator. This hopefully will fix the problem. I'll let ya know as soon as we can afford the fuel to actually go on a camping trip. Our next trip out will be on our street bikes- fuel is somewhat cheaper that way!
