Overheating Issues, Perplexed

[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