hello all, this is my first post here
Beware, this will be a long post!

My father owns an '89 Clubwagon extended E-250 van. 351w, auto.
This thing has been incredibly reliable. With the exception of the original trans biting the dust @ 75k and clogged cats @ 210k this rig has been trouble free. Regular maintenance sure does go a long way! He now has a touch over 250k and it is running like a top!

Anyhow, mainly we are looking for extra engine cooling ideas. With the exception of a K&N panel filter, the motor is stock. Waterpump, t-stat, plugs/wires, all sensors have all been changed as needed, but the radiator is original. I have no doubt that simply getting a new radiator as well as ditching the factory fan for a dual electric etup would do wonders, but we are looking for something more extreme. My parents are both starting to do some serious traveling, and this involves a 26 foot travel trailer.

The trans is beefed up, and the rear end is regeared to pull the trailer. But the summer heat is really testing the cooling system while pulling grades with the trailer. They just made a trip up to visit my fiance and myself, and he informed me that it got considerably hot. And was forced to anticipate testing grades by shutting the AC off and cranking the heater before they got to a long grade.

So what are our options for aftermarket radiators? Is there a bolt in 3-core? And is there a recomended electric fan setup? Maybe a t-stat fan setup with a lower kick-on temp?

Thanks for your time.
Any help is awesome!

 

Check with a radiator shop for larger radiators. They can even make one. Leave the stock fan but make sure the clutch is working properly. Use the recommended thermostat for the application. If you don't the computer controls will go nuts. You could try a pusher fan in front for added cooling. Vans run hot because of the engine enclosure.

That Club Wagon is probably pretty maxed out anyway without pulling a trailer.

 

sounds good.

but wouldnt the rig benefit from the freed up hp by removing the stock fan?

and explain this:

"That Club Wagon is probably pretty maxed out anyway without pulling a trailer."

Under normal non-towing situations the rig runs nice cool temps. 195-ish
Temps never climb beyond 215 or so on the hwy without a trailer behind it no matter what grade it pulls or how hot it gets (typically see 110 degree days).

thanks for any input!

 

I tow a Mustang on a open trailer during the summer. 351 and AOD. Mine experienced overheating issues.

One new fan clutch and a new stock radiator and I was back in business. autozone.

If you insist on more, look into a dual row aluminum radiator. Add an electric "pusher" fan to the front for assist.

 

excellent. If a new fan clutch and radiator helped that much, then we went way overkill... Just the way I like to do things

we went to the local carquest ordered the following:

*3-core radiator.
Stock width and height, with mounting tabs that bolt up like a stock radiator, but 3-core... so a bit deeper.

*dual flex-a-lite puller fan. Stock fan/clutch it going bye-bye.
2-stage, 5000+ cfm
14-28 amp draw
all the goodies. AC relay, adjustable t-stat, etc.

Radiator and fan setup ran just a touch over $800. And it should be in tomorrow. I think the cooling issue is handled.

We also ordered ordered a new O2 sensor. I pulled the codes on the van when he got here, and found that it was running quite lean when warm. I thought we might have a vaccume leak somewhere... until he told me that the O2 was ORIGINAL! 250k + on an O2. I cannot beleive it. I about slapped him

 

My father's 302 cub wagon was experienecing boiling conditions when towing before he replaced his radiator.... The coolant corrodes the cores.

 

I think the radiator will cure your problems, and I would couple it with a chemical flush of the engine...when overheating problems develop in vehicles designed with engine driven fans I would consider an electric fan a step backwards. Engine driven fans consume horsepower, but you are getting airflow for that horsepower. In other words, yes I've seen a graph where a mechanical fan consumes about 12 horsepower at high rpm. But that horsepower isn't wasted, if you've seen the size of a 12 horsepower electric motor you start to get an idea of what kind of electric fan you'd need to move that kind of air. Even one or two horse motors can get sizey...and we haven't even begun to talk about the amperage at ~14volts needed to support that kind of power. And that current has to be supplied by the alternator which of course has to consume more crankshaft power than it provides to the electric fan.

Also, remember that the CFM rating for electric fans is a free air rating and doesn't take into consideration pulling through a radiator, trans cooler, AC Core, and pushing into an engine bay with maybe a couple inches clearance behind it.

Electric fans do have their benefits though, they operate at essentially one RPM and can hence be optimized for that RPM. They consume no power when airflow through the radiator just due to vehicle movement is sufficient for cooling.

Anyway, I'm no engineer or expert I just put this out for your review and criticism...