Hot Running Windsor based 427 FFR Roadster

[mikeinatlanta]

Originally Posted by rhunt

Mikeinatlanta, thanks. Agreed on the thermostat and velocity of water through the radiator. It is not the thermostat or in my testing cases the lack thereof. There has been no change in the max. water and oil temperatures with three different or no thermostat conditions. In fact I am now an expert on replacing Ford thermostats I've done it so many times. Water pump for the record is correct from Ford Racing for this engine. Although I have put an overdrive pulley on it to turn it faster. Thought I might be cavitating the pump by doing this with no thermostat installed as the pump is centrifugal and operating well out on its curve. Those were my thoughts. This engine ran on the Ford engine dyno without the high temps and put out 537 hp. Will check timing again and some of the other suggestions and then advise all. Inline filler is high on the outlet hose between block and radiator inlet. Have burped this thing more times than I like to count. I do lose a small mount of fluid into the overfill tank after each test run on the car. So I top it off.

If you have an inline filler with coolant recovery tapping off of it, I'm betting you still have a bunch of air. Coolant recovery can't remove air unless there is a stable air pocket at removal point. With an inline filler, you tend to only get a bit of air removal at the point that the system is pressurizing but the tstat is still closed and stopping flow past the filler. It will eventually get the air out, but it will be a slow process taking many cycles.

I suggest that you look at a cobra earl's chevy tstat adaptor and a tall chevy filler. It allows a nice air pocket at the top of the system and will turn burping into an easy task. Alternatively, abandon coolant recovery and install a surge tank system.

Here is the CobraEarl's adaptor.


Here is the tall chevy filler that would go on top of it. It gives a nice air pocket at the top of your system for coolant recovery.