Overheating Issues, Perplexed

[elmariachi]

I made another 20 mile run tonight and the car ran great just as before the shroud, 82C/180*F on the gauge down the highway, 95C/200*F at the redlights. Of course, if I sat there 5 minutes, it would probably spontaneously combust. There is no way I could drive around town here on a sunny Houston day, so its not acceptable like this.

I do think the additional holes in the t-stat and the straight-water made a difference to the positive. It doesn't heat up as quickly when existing the freeway as it did before, and it didn't vomit anything tonight when I pulled into the garage and shut it off. and I topped up the expansion tank when I left.

Based on all the feedback and the findings today, I am leaning towards either needing dual fans and a different type shroud, a bigger/better radiator, or both to manage the heat at idle. Turns out more Hurricane owners than I realized have battled this issue with FEs and this PRC 2-row radiator. Sounds like most have managed to contain it, but I need more peace of mind than constantly staring at the temp gauge and having to plan my trips around outside temp.

I still want to pursue the pulley issue too, but short of buying everything that comes along on eBay, I am not sure how to explore that option. Any feedback there on dimensions appreciated. One thing is for sure, you REALLY learn a lot about these cars and engines having to face a problem like this.

I had a bad dream last night it got so hot it burned the doors off of the car while idling in the driveway. I am hopeful those dreams give way to dreams of burning up endless miles of Texas blacktop at high speeds with bugs in my teeth.

[fkemmerer]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

I made another 20 mile run tonight and the car ran great just as before the shroud, 82C/180*F on the gauge down the highway, 95C/200*F at the redlights. Of course, if I sat there 5 minutes, it would probably spontaneously combust. There is no way I could drive around town here on a sunny Houston day, so its not acceptable like this.

I do think the additional holes in the t-stat and the straight-water made a difference to the positive. It doesn't heat up as quickly when existing the freeway as it did before, and it didn't vomit anything tonight when I pulled into the garage and shut it off. and I topped up the expansion tank when I left.

Based on all the feedback and the findings today, I am leaning towards either needing dual fans and a different type shroud, a bigger/better radiator, or both to manage the heat at idle. Turns out more Hurricane owners than I realized have battled this issue with FEs and this PRC 2-row radiator. Sounds like most have managed to contain it, but I need more peace of mind than constantly staring at the temp gauge and having to plan my trips around outside temp.

I still want to pursue the pulley issue too, but short of buying everything that comes along on eBay, I am not sure how to explore that option. Any feedback there on dimensions appreciated. One thing is for sure, you REALLY learn a lot about these cars and engines having to face a problem like this.

I had a bad dream last night it got so hot it burned the doors off of the car while idling in the driveway. I am hopeful those dreams give way to dreams of burning up endless miles of Texas blacktop at high speeds with bugs in my teeth.

It seems like you have already been through alot trying to solve your cooling issues. I do think a pulley set which will speed up the water pump is probably going to help as others have suggested. Here's a simple test to decide if it will. When you car has been idling awhile and is starting to overheat, gentle rev it to about 1800 RPM and run in there for a few minutes. If the temperatures start to come down, I'll bet a pully set which runs the alternator and water pump fast that stock will help. I am doing this on my cobra (I have a 482 ci FE in an ERA) and it definitely helps. March makes a pulley set that will overdrive the accesories. The following link contains some information on their products for the FE family:

http://www.marchperf.com/pg38.html


I hope this helps you.

- Fred

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Fred;


I looked at the site the other day and again today and found this, doesn't make a lot of sence to me.......

Increases cooling by speeding up water flow and fan speed. This helps at critical low speed driving where most overheating occurs. Precision CNC machined from billet 6061-T6 aluminum. Finished with a “No Polishing” clear powdercoat.

-Groove Crank Pulley 5 1/2”
1912 1-Groove Water Pump Pulley 6 3/4”
137 1-Groove Alternator Pulley w/Cover 2 11/16”
1930 Set Drives: Water Pump, Alternator, P.S.
1931 2-Groove Crank Pulley 5 1/2”
1932 2-Groove Water Pump Pulley 6 3/4”
137 1-Groove Alternator Pulley w/Cover 2 11/16”
1950 Set Drives: Water Pump, Alternator, P.S., A/C
1951 3-Groove Crank Pulley 5 1/2”
1932 2-Groove Water Pump Pulley 6 3/4”
137 1-Groove Alternator Pulley w/Cover 2 11/16”
1905 Set Drives: Water Pump, Alternator
1911 1-Groove Crank Pulley 5 1/2”
1552 1-Groove Water Pump Pulley 6”
137 1-Groove Alternator Pulley w/Cover 2 11/16”
1925 Set Drives: Water Pump, Alternator, P.S.
1931 2-Groove Crank Pulley 5 1/2”
1562 2-Groove Water Pump Pulley 6”
137 1-Groove Alternator Pulley w/Cover 2 11/16”
1945 Set Drives: Water Pump, Alternator, P.S., A/C
1951 3-Groove Crank Pulley 5 1/2”
1562 2-Groove Water Pump Pulley 6”
137 1-Groove Alternator Pulley w/Cover 2 11/16”

I have fairly new glasses and according to what I read on the March site, all the crank pulleys are smaller in diameter than the water pump pulleys listed!!!!!!!!!!! how can that speed up your water flow when your slowing down the water pump rpms?????? dem guys at March must have been smoking some really good stuff that day!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure if one called them, they would be able to get a water pump pulley of the size needed, I know March makes many different size pulleys............

David

[fkemmerer]

Originally Posted by DAVID GAGNARD

Fred;


I looked at the site the other day and again today and found this, doesn't make a lot of sence to me.......




I have fairly new glasses and according to what I read on the March site, all the crank pulleys are smaller in diameter than the water pump pulleys listed!!!!!!!!!!! how can that speed up your water flow when your slowing down the water pump rpms?????? dem guys at March must have been smoking some really good stuff that day!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure if one called them, they would be able to get a water pump pulley of the size needed, I know March makes many different size pulleys............

David

Note the size of the water pump pulleys in the standard vs the "overdrive" sets. In the later case, the water pump pulley is smaller which makes the water pump turn faster. In all cases, the water pump turns slower than the crank (imagine what the cavitation that a water pump would produce if you buzzed it to the 7,000 RPM or above that the motor runs at).

- Fred