Let's talk FE thermostats..

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

elmariachi The size is #14 and he can't keep the thing from being matted on the floor.

That's funny. Dave, I think Rick has identified your overheating problem.

[undy]

Rick, I take offense to that size 14 statement.... They're not one size bigger than a 12.

I'm looking at installing a custom "fogger" port injected system, a 300hp shot .. w/a progressive digital controller too. I like nice round numbers, say 1000 hp. That'll do, for now. Now that I've got those "nearly twisted in half" 28 spline axles replaced with some Dutchman 31 spline units I'm ready for some real power adders. I need to get this turd to run faster than the daily driver .. I need it to do better than a 128 trap speed.

Jim, I honestly feel that everything I've done WILL take care of the problem. I'm just trying to get all the over-kill I can get while I'm at it. I really don't want to deal with this cooling issue again. It seems every thing I do with this darn Cobra I end up doing it 2 or 3 times before I get it right It seems to be par for the course though...

Dave

[Argess]

I like overkill. Saves a lot of design effort.

From what I understand, oil does more to cool your engine than coolant. Heat from the pistons has to get to the cylinder block via oil. The heads don't. But oil does take heat away from the cam, rockers, etc., etc. But regardless, perhaps some work on the oil cooler thermostat can help keep temps down.

For a track drag run, why not turn on your heater? Remember the camaro in Gumball Rally...."Either we heat up, or the engine heats up!"...or something to that effect.

I understand what people say about an enigne overheatng when the thermostat is removed. Basically, they assume the hot coolant flows through the radiator too quickly to have the heat dissapated. Personally, I doubt this when a large 4 core rad is used, such as in a Cobra. The thermostat helps bring up heat quickly, then regulates the temp to some extent as it has an "analog" range.

And I hate to mention it, but are the head gaskets in right way around? Coolant openings should be at back of block. Water flows into the front of the block, goes to back of block, then up to the heads, and then forward to the thermostat and puke tank.

[undy]

Originally Posted by Argess

And I hate to mention it, but are the head gaskets in right way around? Coolant openings should be at back of block. Water flows into the front of the block, goes to back of block, then up to the heads, and then forward to the thermostat and puke tank.

Yep, fried a 428 years ago by doing this. Some of my best lessons were hard learned/earned

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by undy

Jim, I honestly feel that everything I've done WILL take care of the problem. I'm just trying to get all the over-kill I can get while I'm at it. Dave

Overkill...isn't that the stuff that keeps you from getting stranded by the side the road?