Runnin' hot
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From: Durham
Runnin' hot
OK, I just got my 351W running a few weeks ago, but it seems to be running a little on the hot side. I'm running twin electrics and twice in triple digit, high humidity (NC) the fans ran so long that it sucked my battery dry. I'm not boiling over, just running a bit over half on the gauge. I put a new Edelbrock carb (600 cfm) on top, how can I tell if it is running too lean??
'82 F150 w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Steve
'82 F150 w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Steve
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Runnin' hot
Hey Steve,did you retain the original radiator of the 300 six ? I'm wondering if it's a 1 row or 2 row core ? You could always get a bigger radiator by buying one for the largest engine option available. A little time spent looking in the radiator book at the parts store will let you know what can be accomplished. Check your radiator support for extra mounting tabs that will allow a wider radiator if needed,or,just get more rows in the same size core.The illustrations in the book will give you the specifications needed.
Phillip
Phillip
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From: saramento usa
Runnin' hot
Ok, some more questions on radiators. I can get a 4 row from "Ready Rad" or a 3 row from Modine. Will the 4 row be that much more efficient? The Modine is a little less with a better warranty. Also, I'm running my radiator from my 300 I6 (2 row) and the upper and lower hoses are reversed from the V-8 radiator. Would the longer hose length (3 ft) make a difference on it's ability to cool? What do y'all think?
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Runnin' hot
Everytime I replaced an engine with a bigger engine (312 to 390, 289 to 351)and did not put in a bigger radiator, I had overheating problems. Bigger rad was always the fix. Modine is the industry leader in radiators. Going to the biggest radiator your frame and support can accommodate is the way to go. A good fan and shroud will also help during low rpm operation. Length of your hoses is not a factor as far as cooling is concerned. If your engine runs okay otherwise and is not hesitating or pinging, your mixture is probably not too lean.
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Runnin' hot
Steve,
The first thing to do is get a a bigger radiator, (double row, twice as thick as the 6 rad.) second thing is (while you're working on it anyway) a lower temp theromostat, I'm using a 160deg. It's been 95 and better here in houston and I sit in alot of traffic, this thing with the a/c on dosen't even come close to the middle of the gauge, when I had the 6 for years I fought to keep it from overheating, I'm using the same temp sensor that came on the 6 so it would match the dash gauge. The switch from a 190deg. to a 160deg. thermostat made the most difference. The third thing is the fan shroud, it makes an improvement also, in fact I think it's a MUST. At first I thought it was too big (as in deep) but I was told the closer to the motor the better, you can feel a ton of wind commin at the motor. When you look it makes sense. Do these 3 things and you should have no problem, if you do, then it's time to look at your mixture, you don't want to get into the carb and be swatting at another problem. You have a damn nice motor, don't stop short, finish this thing right.
Let me know how it goes,
Moe
The first thing to do is get a a bigger radiator, (double row, twice as thick as the 6 rad.) second thing is (while you're working on it anyway) a lower temp theromostat, I'm using a 160deg. It's been 95 and better here in houston and I sit in alot of traffic, this thing with the a/c on dosen't even come close to the middle of the gauge, when I had the 6 for years I fought to keep it from overheating, I'm using the same temp sensor that came on the 6 so it would match the dash gauge. The switch from a 190deg. to a 160deg. thermostat made the most difference. The third thing is the fan shroud, it makes an improvement also, in fact I think it's a MUST. At first I thought it was too big (as in deep) but I was told the closer to the motor the better, you can feel a ton of wind commin at the motor. When you look it makes sense. Do these 3 things and you should have no problem, if you do, then it's time to look at your mixture, you don't want to get into the carb and be swatting at another problem. You have a damn nice motor, don't stop short, finish this thing right.
Let me know how it goes,
Moe
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From: saramento usa
Runnin' hot
OK, OK, I ordered my 3-row today and it should be in tomorrow. Ahh, another Saturday with nothing to do but work on the truck. I put the 160 in a couple of weeks ago and it helped, but it's not running as cool as I think it should. The shroud won't help much unless I can move the fans back to pull the air from the entire radiator. I would have to fabricate some type of bracket for that. Oh, well, I'll try the radiator (probably have to cut my hoses and move my fan control to the opposite side). Next move is to go back to conventional fan with the shroud. We'll see what happens.
Steve
Steve
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Runnin' hot
Heck, you're so close to gettin out of the engine bay you can't stop now!!! 
(by small details........) The worst is over.
Moe
I closed my hood for a while I hope.....
(by small details........) The worst is over.Moe
I closed my hood for a while I hope.....
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Junior User
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Runnin' hot
>OK, OK, I ordered my 3-row today
>and it should be in tomorrow.
> Ahh, another Saturday with nothing
>to do but work on the
>truck. I put the 160
>in a couple of weeks ago
>and it helped, but it's not
>running as cool as I think
>it should. The shroud won't
>help much unless I can move
>the fans back to pull the
>air from the entire radiator.
>I would have to fabricate some
>type of bracket for that.
>Oh, well, I'll try the radiator
>(probably have to cut my hoses
>and move my fan control to
>the opposite side). Next move
>is to go back to conventional
>fan with the shroud. We'll
>see what happens.
>Steve
When I think about it, after you get the new radiator, all you really have to have is the wind bieng direteted at the motor, so I wouldn't worry about moving the fans as long as the're pullin air thru the shroud, (that sucker is deep) the concentration of air blowin close to the motor is the thing, you'll be surprised.
See ya,
Moe
>and it should be in tomorrow.
> Ahh, another Saturday with nothing
>to do but work on the
>truck. I put the 160
>in a couple of weeks ago
>and it helped, but it's not
>running as cool as I think
>it should. The shroud won't
>help much unless I can move
>the fans back to pull the
>air from the entire radiator.
>I would have to fabricate some
>type of bracket for that.
>Oh, well, I'll try the radiator
>(probably have to cut my hoses
>and move my fan control to
>the opposite side). Next move
>is to go back to conventional
>fan with the shroud. We'll
>see what happens.
>Steve
When I think about it, after you get the new radiator, all you really have to have is the wind bieng direteted at the motor, so I wouldn't worry about moving the fans as long as the're pullin air thru the shroud, (that sucker is deep) the concentration of air blowin close to the motor is the thing, you'll be surprised.
See ya,
Moe
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From: saramento usa
Runnin' hot
Ok, I just wanted to let you know that I dropped in my new Modine, 3-row, cross flow yesterday. I haven't given it a real test, but the preliminaries look great. I cranked it up and ran it with the a/c on for a while and the engine barely got past the low mark on the gauge. I'm impressed!!! Maybe I can feel a little better about my "hot" truck now.
Thanks guys for your help,
Slik
Thanks guys for your help,
Slik
Junior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 97
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Runnin' hot
Steve,
Do yourself a big favor and invest in a good quality aftermarket water temp gauge. They are
far more accurate and sentitive to temperature
changes. Stock gauges should not be trusted. While you are at it, install a good mechanical
oil pressure gauge, just to keep tabs on that new
motor. I did a similar swap with my 83 flareside
and installed a multi core radiator with my 302
cobra motor. Runs about 180 degrees even in 100
degree weather. Good luck with your truck and enjoy it. Cricket
Do yourself a big favor and invest in a good quality aftermarket water temp gauge. They are
far more accurate and sentitive to temperature
changes. Stock gauges should not be trusted. While you are at it, install a good mechanical
oil pressure gauge, just to keep tabs on that new
motor. I did a similar swap with my 83 flareside
and installed a multi core radiator with my 302
cobra motor. Runs about 180 degrees even in 100
degree weather. Good luck with your truck and enjoy it. Cricket
Junior User
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Posts: 97
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Runnin' hot
Steve,
In my 83 Flareside, I mounted a 3 gauge setup
under the ashtray since I don't smoke it was the
best place to put them. Check out Auto-meters
white faced gauges, they are easier to read then
most.
Cricket
In my 83 Flareside, I mounted a 3 gauge setup
under the ashtray since I don't smoke it was the
best place to put them. Check out Auto-meters
white faced gauges, they are easier to read then
most.
Cricket
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: saramento usa
Runnin' hot
I've been testing my new radiator for the past several days in triple digit or near triple digit heat with nearly as much humidity. I think I've got my fans dialed in and I'm running cool all the time. Even stopped at the lights with my A/C on!! I also found out that my "dead" battery was not the fault of the electric fans running, but a dead cell in my new, 84 month Ford battery. Dropped it by Ford today and walked away with a new battery, slapped it in, and now it really cranks!!
Talk to y'all later,
Steve
Talk to y'all later,
Steve
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