Winter front for radiator?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Winter front for radiator?
So, I have a 56 with an old 302. The fan does not have a clutch, the shroud is open, I am having carb icing and very slow warm-ups. I drive it to work every day, and winters are damp and cold. Cardboard on the radiator helps a lot. Does anyone make a "winter front" for a old ford? Something like a big truck, something perhaps that goes right on the radiator under the hood, with flaps? I know I can make one, but anyone seen one for sale?
Ideas?
Ideas?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Packrat,
At 80 degrees or 20 below zero, my '02 Wrangler's thermostat doesn't open until 4 miles from my house...almost like clockwork. Perhaps instead of trying to make the truck heat up faster you might invest in one of those electric heaters that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I know this won't help with carb icing but it should make your damp and cold ride more comfortable.
Vern
At 80 degrees or 20 below zero, my '02 Wrangler's thermostat doesn't open until 4 miles from my house...almost like clockwork. Perhaps instead of trying to make the truck heat up faster you might invest in one of those electric heaters that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I know this won't help with carb icing but it should make your damp and cold ride more comfortable.
Vern
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 45
From: Minnesota
Maybe a warmer thermostat you aren't running a 160° unit during the winter are you? If it is cool enough you could try to take the fan off and run the truck for a day or two and see if that helps. If it does I would try an electric setup with a thermostat controlled fan and a bypass switch just in case. You could also try a better thermostat. I put a cheap $5.00 one in originally in my 1995 Jeep Wrangler and it would run hot. I put one of the more expensive $13.00 thermostats and it made a world of difference same teperature. The thermostat regulates the temperature better. The cheap unit had a large swing in temperatures. That was almost 2 years ago.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 5
From: Shasta Lake, Ca.
depanding on the room U have between the Rad, and the grill.. U could adapt a bigrig louver set for ur truck.... And I get a block heater right off the bat to keep ur engine warm and that will help big time also...
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Packrat56 -
My vote would be for a temperature-switched electric fan. Maybe a warmer thermostat too. I have that setup and really like it. warms up quick. runs nice no matter what the traffic or weather. Must be why so many newer cars come that way.
My vote would be for a temperature-switched electric fan. Maybe a warmer thermostat too. I have that setup and really like it. warms up quick. runs nice no matter what the traffic or weather. Must be why so many newer cars come that way.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 5
From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Indeed, that is the way I hope to go as well. At this point the money is just not there. (about $160-200 ??) I guess this is a temporary measure untill I can do the electric fan.
Is there a good quality, yet inexpensive way to do the electric fan?
Is there a good quality, yet inexpensive way to do the electric fan?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 45
From: Minnesota
I would go to a salvage yard and start looking at newer cars with electric fans. Anything with a transverse motor Ford Focus might be a candidate. I bet that is something you can get fairly cheap. Maybe from a rear ended car? Might be able to trace the wiring and see if it has a thermostatically controlled switch.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Packrat56 -
I am 2 iterations into the electric fan deal (long story). About $160 for the final setup. I bought the fan from Summit ($120) and the switch kit (Hayden #3652 - $40) from Pep Boys. I run my fan mounted on the back side of the radiator (puller) without a shroud. The switch kit uses a probe switch that inserts thru the radiator fins. The electrical hookup was no biggy. The whole install should take a day, including removing the old hardware.
You don't have to go overkill on the fan cfm. Mine is only 1600 cfm. I have had the setup for over a year now and have run in everything from 100+ degree stop and go traffic to 80 mph freeway. No problems. In fact, I need a hotter thermostat because it tends to run too cool.
You'll love it, when you do it.
I am 2 iterations into the electric fan deal (long story). About $160 for the final setup. I bought the fan from Summit ($120) and the switch kit (Hayden #3652 - $40) from Pep Boys. I run my fan mounted on the back side of the radiator (puller) without a shroud. The switch kit uses a probe switch that inserts thru the radiator fins. The electrical hookup was no biggy. The whole install should take a day, including removing the old hardware.
You don't have to go overkill on the fan cfm. Mine is only 1600 cfm. I have had the setup for over a year now and have run in everything from 100+ degree stop and go traffic to 80 mph freeway. No problems. In fact, I need a hotter thermostat because it tends to run too cool.
You'll love it, when you do it.
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