Air Deflector
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 766
Likes: 6
From: south Fl.
I am having the same issues with heating as you are, My truck has a Sm Block Olds motor ( Don't ask I purchased it that way ) The P/O had 1 electric fan pulling.it ran 210 plus and had a hard time cooling off after a long hard run. I removed that and installed a 18 inch OEM ford flex fan with a 2 inch spacer to get the fan closer to the radiator, That helped somewhat, I just found a Chrysler fan shroud that will work and plan on installing it over the weekend. I will keep you posted.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Jag Red 54
Vern, I agree with AX. And, I believe that the 195* thermostat helped you by opening all the way as it should. Perhaps your old one was only opening part way due to age or corrosion, thus restricting flow. Also, some designs of thermostats have bigger openings than others for what ever reason. Jag
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Huntsman
Actually that is why a vehicle will run hot with no thermostat, water flows too fast to adequately cool. A thermostat will restrict the flow even when open.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
I think you are right about the delicate balance Vern. As radiators age their efficiency declines. And eventually, the rads' ability to exchange heat is less than is required for hot weather days. Once this happens, rads boil over and we are forced to replace or rerod them. (The balance is exceeded) A higher temp thermostat will help the engine run at an efficient temp, but once it is fully open we are completely dependant on the rads' ability to cool the engine. My old rad would not bring the temp back down on hot days even driving on the freeway. So, since it was old and ugly, I bought the new US Radiator and all is well. And yes, I agree that we should not be removing the thermostat. I know people do this out of frustration, but it is not the answer. Jag
And yes, I agree that we should not be removing the thermostat. I know people do this out of frustration, but it is not the answer. Jag
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: East Palestine, Ohio
Thanks guys for all the information and suggestions. I originally bought the 16" puller fan to replace the existing engine fan but when i took the engine fan off there was not enough clearance from the end of the water pump to the rad. I only have abought 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" clear. When that didn't fit thats when i bought the pusher fans and mounted at the front of the rad. So now i am running the two electric fans plus the engine fan. These should work thru the rest of the summer and then i am going to buy a new rad. this winter.
Terry
Terry
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
My buddy was frustrated by the constant problem of overheating in his 56 effie. He is running a 460 that runs hot even at freeway speeds. He was running a stock radiator, then a US Radiator. He has just installed a new aluminum radiator from a maker in Phoenix. It works great and he is finally happy. However, he is still paying off the credit card bill. The radiator, fan and shroud combo cost hime $1200. 
However, he is still paying off the credit card bill. The radiator, fan and shroud combo cost hime $1200.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: East Palestine, Ohio
So far the set-up i have now seems to be working ok. I will decide what i am going to do as a final solution after we get home from the Columbus Goodguys in a couple of weeks. I don't think i am going to spend $1200 dollars. My other half would probably ship me and the truck somewhere else.
Terry
Terry
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 766
Likes: 6
From: south Fl.
I wanted to post with the results of installing a clutch style fan and shroud on my 55. ( Olds small blk. ) I dropped 30 degrees by removing the electric fan installed by the P/O and going back to a clutch fan ( thermal type ) and a fan shroud. I now plan on removing the 160 thermostat and installing a 180 thermostat to get the temp up. no doubt the shroud is what helped the most.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Well, I don't know who to agree or disagree with. My truck came from W. Virginia (cold winters) It ran hottish down here in the Florida summer with the 195 deg t-stat that was in it. The BEST mechanic I know suggested a colder thermostat. I said that would only speed up the warm up time. Open is open. he said "try it". My truck runs runs a full 20 Degrees cooler with the 165 I put in.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 766
Likes: 6
From: south Fl.
I agree with you, Open is open but a motor will never run cooler then the thermostat opening degree. From my experience it will run 10 to 15 degrees above it if the cooling system is in good shape. I am fighting Florida summer heat also.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Originally Posted by rdemilt
I agree with you, Open is open but a motor will never run cooler then the thermostat opening degree. From my experience it will run 10 to 15 degrees above it if the cooling system is in good shape. I am fighting Florida summer heat also.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Ax, I think you may be right. I have heard numerous stories over the years about this working sometimes, and I think there is more to it than just the temp rating. Thermostats are made by different companies with many different designs. The reason for the different results might be the orifice size or the distance the waffer opens. I have also seen some models that have a mini spring-loaded waffer on the main waffer! I don't know what it does, but I'm sure it can't be pretty. 
So the moral of the story is: Maybe it's not the temp rating of the thermostate, but the flow characteristics. Jag
I don't know what it does, but I'm sure it can't be pretty. So the moral of the story is: Maybe it's not the temp rating of the thermostate, but the flow characteristics. Jag
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
barryjdi
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Nov 24, 2014 10:32 PM
firstrider
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
17
Aug 14, 2013 08:19 AM
gifuneod
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
21
Apr 27, 2012 06:30 AM