Overheating in 4th July parade
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Steamboat Springs, CO
Overheating in 4th July parade
My '64 f-100 has a '70 390 in it. Occasionally, I run it in a parade, where you're going super slow (granny gear) and stopping, and of course I run very hot. Today, I overheated and had to pull out of the parade, steam pouring out from the hood!
Juuuust a little embarassing.
So, what can I do? Bigger fan? Auxiliary fan? Help!!
Thanks in advance. -Dave
Juuuust a little embarassing.
So, what can I do? Bigger fan? Auxiliary fan? Help!!
Thanks in advance. -Dave
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 984
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Are you running a big enough radiator to support that engine?
I'm guessing you dropped in the 390 in place of a former 352, or simply changed engine mounts and bellhousing to get it in there.
I had one in my '69 4x4 that sufferred from heat issues during rock crawling or other low speed situations. Installing a 7 blade clutch fan, fan shroud, and a 4 core rad from a 460 cured that issue right up. You may also want to add an over-flow tank.
I'm guessing you dropped in the 390 in place of a former 352, or simply changed engine mounts and bellhousing to get it in there.
I had one in my '69 4x4 that sufferred from heat issues during rock crawling or other low speed situations. Installing a 7 blade clutch fan, fan shroud, and a 4 core rad from a 460 cured that issue right up. You may also want to add an over-flow tank.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
HOw old is the radiator? It could be partially clogged at the lower core tubes. I'd definitely put a 7 blade fan on as reccommended above. On thing to try is to get the truck up to operating temp and while it is running , feel the front side of the radiator for any cool or cold spots. That means clogs. It should be fairly uniform all over. Parades are tough on older vehicles. Not enough air moving thru the radiator. They heat up fast.
Barry
Barry
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,836
Likes: 3
From: Elizabethtown, PA
A 64 had a Y block if not a 6, so the radiator I am fairly certain is much smaller than the ones used in the FE trucks. I think you need to increase cooling capacity first. With the factory stuff in my 65, my FE does not overheat, though there certainly is room for improvement via bigger radiator, fan with more blades, shrouds, etc but I don't believe in changing things if there isn't a problem. My radiator is NEW also, which probably helps as noted above.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
rabbit, Welcome to FTE, 
The best truck show on the net.
The problem is the design of the truck. I have a FE in my 66. I have the proper size radiator, of resent vintage. The truck will run fine as long as it is moving and getting getting air flow. I know mine would do the same as yours, should I have done what you did. I have a 97 Taurus that I sat for in 97º heat for 1 1/2 hours ideling with the ac on. The temp guage never moved one bit. Thing is, you can't see the radiator at all, but the electric fans pull all the air through there that it needs.
Our trucks didn't come with a shroud, and there is a lot ways for air to move in many different directions, not focused like the Taurus. If you will look at the trucks as newer models came out you will find flat pieces of rubber along the top of the grill to the core support directing the air better. Then cross flow radiators were introduced.
Basically there is nothing wrong with your truck, it just isn't designed to do what you were doing with it. IMHO
John
The best truck show on the net.The problem is the design of the truck. I have a FE in my 66. I have the proper size radiator, of resent vintage. The truck will run fine as long as it is moving and getting getting air flow. I know mine would do the same as yours, should I have done what you did. I have a 97 Taurus that I sat for in 97º heat for 1 1/2 hours ideling with the ac on. The temp guage never moved one bit. Thing is, you can't see the radiator at all, but the electric fans pull all the air through there that it needs.
Our trucks didn't come with a shroud, and there is a lot ways for air to move in many different directions, not focused like the Taurus. If you will look at the trucks as newer models came out you will find flat pieces of rubber along the top of the grill to the core support directing the air better. Then cross flow radiators were introduced.
Basically there is nothing wrong with your truck, it just isn't designed to do what you were doing with it. IMHO
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 1
From: East Central Florida
I agree with John! Welcome to FTE.
you could adapt a fan shroud to control air flow across the core and go up to a 5 blade, which would resolve a lot of the Low Speed X Hi Temp problem you describe.
For my $.02, i think a shroud & commercial fan set up is better than an electric add on.
It's cheaper than the Aluminum Cross flow I bought from Modine for another Ford Truck I have. . . . but the 4 row aluminum cross flow lets me run a +198 T-Stat & keep my EFI happy, and still cools my coolant at idle. . . .
FBp
you could adapt a fan shroud to control air flow across the core and go up to a 5 blade, which would resolve a lot of the Low Speed X Hi Temp problem you describe.
For my $.02, i think a shroud & commercial fan set up is better than an electric add on.
It's cheaper than the Aluminum Cross flow I bought from Modine for another Ford Truck I have. . . . but the 4 row aluminum cross flow lets me run a +198 T-Stat & keep my EFI happy, and still cools my coolant at idle. . . .
FBp
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,062
Likes: 35
From: Central Oregon
Ran my 66 4x4 in the parade also, it has a 390 GT engine with a new Radiator, I run a 5 blade nonclutch fan in it, it got good and warm. Ran the RPM's up once in awhile to keep the air flow going. Once out of the parade route took it out to the hi-way for a little cool down. I run a 180 t-stat in it and it seems to be happy with that.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Owasso Oklahoma USA
I think jowilker is on the right track. If you run a thermostatic controlled electric fan with enough CFM you will not overheat the engine, provided the radiator is in good condition and has enough capacity for the 390. The low parade speed combined with the slow fan speed can not cool the radiator in summer heat, not enough air flow and low volume of coolant flow at idle.
You can setup the electric fan as either a pusher or a puller.
You can setup the electric fan as either a pusher or a puller.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
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
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, WA
There's a reason so many rodders run an electric fan on their modified cars. I had the same problem on my '54 Chevy when I V-8ed it with a new radiator. A "puller" electric fan solved the overheating problem the first time it switched on. If you don't have enough room between your radiator/engine, you can use a pusher mounted in front of the radiator. I've seen cars that don't even use an engine fan at all, but not sure I'd go that route myself.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: East Flat Rock NC
I ran a 351w built and it wanted to run hot while riding slow speeds, so I did
install a bigger Rad, but it still seemed a little on the high side, so I tried this
product called (kool-aid) it droped the temp 20 degrees, it really did work
real good and it lubes your water pump also! Some people I have told about
it though the years always used to say " I don't use Snake oil ".
P.S I'm sure about how much it dropped the temp, because I was running a
good Auto meter gauge! The can said that the temp drop may vary.
Welcome to (FTE)!
install a bigger Rad, but it still seemed a little on the high side, so I tried this
product called (kool-aid) it droped the temp 20 degrees, it really did work
real good and it lubes your water pump also! Some people I have told about
it though the years always used to say " I don't use Snake oil ".
P.S I'm sure about how much it dropped the temp, because I was running a
good Auto meter gauge! The can said that the temp drop may vary.
Welcome to (FTE)!
Last edited by Pro-Street/StateTK; Jul 6, 2005 at 04:48 AM.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Steamboat Springs, CO
Thanks guys for all the input. I looked into electric fans, and I don't have much room on the outside for it. Are you suggesting I unhook the existing engine fan and put the electric one there? Dumb Question??
Thanks
Thanks
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by rabbitearscarver
Thanks guys for all the input. I looked into electric fans, and I don't have much room on the outside for it. Are you suggesting I unhook the existing engine fan and put the electric one there? Dumb Question??
Thanks
Thanks
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Turlock CA
After getting my 65 up and running after the wreck I noticed that while idleing in the California heat and traffic it would warm up. Found a fan shroud on a 65 at Pick-N-Pull and what an amazing differance. The ford part number is C8TA 8146 S, It fits perfect I don't know if you can still get it from Ford or not.
Good luck and keep her cool.
jd
Good luck and keep her cool.
jd
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: mN
I'm in the same boat with my '65. Just need better air flow at idle. I have a rebuilt rad. and new fan shroud.
Still has the 4 blade fan.
Should I just upgrade to a five blade (do you get these from an yard out of a old galixy or something??) or should I go with an electric pluller??
Do the electric work as well? And do they really save power?
GB
Still has the 4 blade fan.
Should I just upgrade to a five blade (do you get these from an yard out of a old galixy or something??) or should I go with an electric pluller??
Do the electric work as well? And do they really save power?
GB
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by 55cub
I'm in the same boat with my '65. Just need better air flow at idle. I have a rebuilt rad. and new fan shroud.
Still has the 4 blade fan.
Should I just upgrade to a five blade (do you get these from an yard out of a old galixy or something??) or should I go with an electric pluller??
Do the electric work as well? And do they really save power?
GB
Still has the 4 blade fan.
Should I just upgrade to a five blade (do you get these from an yard out of a old galixy or something??) or should I go with an electric pluller??
Do the electric work as well? And do they really save power?
GB
The power loss thing is only related to racing, doubt you would ever see any difference on the street. IMHO
John