Need help with overheating after engine swap...

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Jun 4, 2006 | 12:06 PM

278broncos

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Need help with overheating after engine swap...

I just helped my uncle swap a 302 from an '87 Mustang into his early Bronco. It overheats after it gets to temp - sitting or driving down the road. We ended up switching to a serpentine system off of an '83 Lincoln, which is actually a pretty sweet setup for this type of swap. We put a standard rotation water pump on it which turns clockwise with the crank. It uses one belt and all of the pulleys have grooves. The belt goes around the crank, the water pump, the alternator, and the power steering pump. The alternator has an adjusting bolt and a slotted top bracket used to tension the belt.

We have removed the thermostat and have great water flow into the top of the radiator. The radiator has new 12" electric fan mounted on the engine side. It is wired to come on with the key and it is pulling plenty of air from the front of the Bronco through the radiator and into the engine bay.

My question is this, I guess: This engine originally had a reverse rotation water pump on it which used a smooth water pump pulley running off the back of the belt. Is there a difference within the engine or the timing cover that would determine which way water has to flow through the engine? Any input would be appreciated!

Jun 4, 2006 | 01:52 PM

ken75ranger

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From: Troy,NY

A 12 inch electric fan isn't pulling near enough air through the radiator. He need a 17-18 inch fan and a shroud on the radiator. The problem is usually you need an inch of clearance for the fan. I moved my supports forward to gain the inch of space I needed. It will help quite a bit.
If you insist on an electric fan the only one I have seen that moves enough air is the Taurus 2 fan, 2 speed electric one. Make sure you have a very good alternator they pull over 30 amps.
As far as the water pump goes you got it right. There is not difference in the front cover.

Jun 4, 2006 | 03:19 PM

Dannym

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From: Sweden

The 18" fan off an Lincoln Mark VIII has a VERY impressive CFM rating. And due to its size and shroud it will pull that air across most of the radiator's area. If you can fit it and power it, do it.

Are you sure you got the water pump direction correct? And the pullies are not slipping?

Jun 5, 2006 | 07:50 AM

278broncos

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I am sure about the water pump rotation being correct and that there is no slippage between the pulleys and the belt. He bought the fan from an early Bronco parts catalog and said it was the best fan that they had found for use on an early bronco. I'm with you guys - a 12" fan seems way too small to me also. He's hard-headed. It will be a fight to convince him it is too small!

Jun 5, 2006 | 09:21 AM

Kemicalburns

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From: Bend,OR

most serp setups run a reverse rotation water pump. is the thermostat new as well and put in properly.

Jun 5, 2006 | 10:22 AM

smallblock351w

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As far as an electric fan goes i recently installed one on my truck, which is a 1980 ford f 150 4 x4 with a 351windsor. The one i got was made by hayden 16 inch electric fan. Then used the kit that tells it what tempature to kick on at. Very nice setup and works great, plus the best part about it is with the size of it you can slide your original factory shroud over it to direct the air even better. then you also dont even notice the electric fan. heres a link to the brand i went with, the website only had a pic of the 14 inch though where as i got the 16.

course just noticed the link doesnt work exactly right, just put hayden in the search and it should bring it up hehe.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=HAD&mfrpartnumber=3690& parttype=528&ptset=A

Last edited by smallblock351w; Jun 5, 2006 at 10:27 AM.

Jun 16, 2006 | 09:34 AM

278broncos

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Problem solved! I never would have thought it, but it was the radiator. It had been running fine for years with the old tired 302, but when we dropped the 'stang motor in there, it just wouldn't do the job. He swapped out the radiator with another that he had, and the problem is gone. He has a new one on the way to make sure it is cooling the best it can.

I'm still with you guys, though. I think when he gets out crawling around on a hot day, that little 12" fan just isn't going to cut it. But at least it goes down the road now!

Thanks for all of your help on this guys!