Cold air mod question
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Phoenix Az
Cold air mod question
I know our trucks have a lot of engine cooling capacity, compared to, some cars, but is it possible that this mod could in any way, even in a small way, diminish the cooling capacity. My son did this to his lincoln, and a 20 year lincoln certified mechanic insists that this could cause the car to overheat. Granted this is in Phoenix. Some of you guys that know about these things, I'd be intereted in your thoughts. Thanks, as always!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: La La Land
If, by "cold air mod", you mean "block coolant flow to the heater core", then I believe your "certified mechanic" is all wet.
That's like saying that the engine's cooling system is dependent on the heater core to keep the system from overheating.
I can remember years ago, when getting near the ragged edge of overheating when crossing the desert, that we were able to bleed some heat out of the system by turning off the A/C, rolling down the windows, and actually turning ON the heater (whew, it got hot inside the car) to bring the coolant temperature within marginally-safe limits.
BUT, these trucks have PLENTY of "headroom", given an otherwise healthy system.
Of course, all bets are off if you have neglected it and let crud badly build up somewhere like your radiator core.
Pop
That's like saying that the engine's cooling system is dependent on the heater core to keep the system from overheating.
I can remember years ago, when getting near the ragged edge of overheating when crossing the desert, that we were able to bleed some heat out of the system by turning off the A/C, rolling down the windows, and actually turning ON the heater (whew, it got hot inside the car) to bring the coolant temperature within marginally-safe limits.
BUT, these trucks have PLENTY of "headroom", given an otherwise healthy system.
Of course, all bets are off if you have neglected it and let crud badly build up somewhere like your radiator core.
Pop
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Fresno, CA
On some vehicles one could argue that you are disrupting the intended coolant flow and change cooling system performance that way. But like Springerpop said, these trucks have totally overengineered cooling systems and you will not have a problem. Btw, ford put the blockoff valves in themselves on the 6.0's
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Phoenix Az
I remember the very same things Marv is saying. And I have the factory added mod to my 03 as well. I just wondered if some of the cars with maybe marginal cooling capacity might be affected. Anyone out there do this mod to their cars?
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
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From: La La Land
Since we can't be sure of where return coolant flows to in all applications, it likely wouldn't be a universally-positive mod.
I mis-read your original post, overlooking the part about the Lincoln, and was thinking about SuperDuty cooling systems when I made the "all wet" comment above.
Pop
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Fresno, CA
I thought I had seen one on a stock 7.3 before. Thanks for refreshing my memory. I see SO many vehicles they start blurring together after a while.
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
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From: Stevens Point, WI
Most cars have a valve STOCK that blocks the coolant from the heater core when the heat is shut off. I have seen this valve on cars over 20 years old.
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From: Fresno, CA
They have been around forever.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Phoenix Az
Well anyway, it made a big difference to the ac temp out the vent when he did the mod on his car. I don't suppose it had one from the factory. Anyway it has a new hose on it at the mech. insistance so I guess we'll just leave it at that.
I was just trying to get some insight into this, using the 7.3 as a base for discussion. All vehicles are not created equal, that's for sure.
I was just trying to get some insight into this, using the 7.3 as a base for discussion. All vehicles are not created equal, that's for sure.
