Cooling options
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Cooling options
I finall took my 1970 F-250 for a decent road trip with the new 390 and C-6 yesterday to Grass Valley and back to San Jose.
The truck ran great but the outside temp was hot going across the Sacramento Valley.
When I got into city street driving, the temp gauge would climb some.
I don't have any fan shroud on the truck and have had a difficult time finding anything that may fit.
I am starting to look at all of my options since I will be pulling a decent load with the truck in the future.
Has anyone found a good replacement shroud that would fit with a FE engine?
Has anyone ran electric fans with any success? Suggestions of what type?
Just thought I would throw the question out there.
Thanks,
Ken
The truck ran great but the outside temp was hot going across the Sacramento Valley.
When I got into city street driving, the temp gauge would climb some.
I don't have any fan shroud on the truck and have had a difficult time finding anything that may fit.
I am starting to look at all of my options since I will be pulling a decent load with the truck in the future.
Has anyone found a good replacement shroud that would fit with a FE engine?
Has anyone ran electric fans with any success? Suggestions of what type?
Just thought I would throw the question out there.
Thanks,
Ken
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Ken, I think you need to work at eliminating existing concerns first. I don't run a shroud on my truck, although I do think they help and are a great item to run. You can still buy replacements. Look for a 1976 F100/150/250 with 360.
I would 1st, replace or install a second temp guage, to make sure you are getting a correct reading. Is your radiator clear flowing, not needing boiling/rodding out?
Did you loose any water? Start with the water level down 2" from the top and moniter it. It needs puke/burp space and the 2" down gives it.
John
I would 1st, replace or install a second temp guage, to make sure you are getting a correct reading. Is your radiator clear flowing, not needing boiling/rodding out?
Did you loose any water? Start with the water level down 2" from the top and moniter it. It needs puke/burp space and the 2" down gives it.
John
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John,
Thanks for the response.
The radiator is new.
The truck didn't overheat or even come close but I would like to have more low speed temperature control.
I will probably be towing a 5th wheel with my Jeep in it in the future so I want it to stay as cool as I can.
The radiator did clear out excess water to make room for expansion.
I just picked up an overflow tank yesterday so that should help regulate the coolant better.
I am planning on building a new dash with a complete set of after market gauges in the near future because I hate relying on the factory ones.
I will start looking for a later shroud for the truck.
Thanks, Ken
Thanks for the response.
The radiator is new.
The truck didn't overheat or even come close but I would like to have more low speed temperature control.
I will probably be towing a 5th wheel with my Jeep in it in the future so I want it to stay as cool as I can.
The radiator did clear out excess water to make room for expansion.
I just picked up an overflow tank yesterday so that should help regulate the coolant better.
I am planning on building a new dash with a complete set of after market gauges in the near future because I hate relying on the factory ones.
I will start looking for a later shroud for the truck.
Thanks, Ken
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Ken, It's your truck and your money. I have been around the FE since it was introduced, driving and owning them. The only thing that my truck will not do is idle more than 15 minutes when it is in 90º weather, start moving and get air through the radiator and it comes right down again.
I tow pickups on my 18ft trailer, behind my 66 FE/C6 3.00 rear with no problems.
I thing the shroud is a good idea, but don't think much for the expantion tank.
good luck
John
I tow pickups on my 18ft trailer, behind my 66 FE/C6 3.00 rear with no problems.
I thing the shroud is a good idea, but don't think much for the expantion tank.
good luck
John
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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I'm having the same problem with my 390. I'm going to an electric fan. I didn't pay attention one day while I was climbing a very steep gravel road in 4 wheel drive at low speed and overheated the engine - not worth it.
The electric fans aren't that expensive and they can keep the 390 cool at an idle.
Peter
The electric fans aren't that expensive and they can keep the 390 cool at an idle.
Peter
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Iowa
Originally Posted by workingdog
The electric fans aren't that expensive and they can keep the 390 cool at an idle.
Peter
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i have heard that installing a Robertshaw-brand thermostat available through Evans cooling systems will greatly improve coolant flow and aid in cooling. it is a balanced sleeve/flow thermostat rather than a poppet style.
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