Need help with cooling

[Sam_Fear]

My current system heats up quick at a stop and barely holds it own rolling.But it was just slapped together for the summer. 350 motor and the stock 21x18(core) 2 row radiator out of the 85 Cutlass (v6) leaned back about 20 degrees with an electric fan. No trans or oil cooler.

I have to use an electric fan, although I could put a small mechanical fan on too. I looked one up for the 350v8 Cutlass. So would the OEM v8 radiator do OK, or should I go up to an all aluminum 2row? Will hooking up the trans cooler and/or adding an oil cooler make much difference?

I plan to hook up the trans cooler no matter. And no, I won't be gettin' on it, it's a heavy cruiser.

And how much rubber hose can I get away with between the motor and radiator, or does it matter?

 

[rainman]

Lean shouldn't make much difference if fan is connected to it!
You didn't say what thermostat you were using? Water has to be restricted or it will travel through the rad too fast!!

Oil cooler may help a little, wouldn't count on it! Rubber hose shouldn't make a difference unless it's colapsing! Do you have to run 20 degrees or is that just something your trying?

As I said I would make sure water isn't traveling though the rad too fast!!

Or too slow, for that matter!!

 

[Sam_Fear]

The lean back is the only way it'll fit around the Cutlass power steering unit. I may be able to turn it 90 degrees and move it closer to the motor, but the size I have is about the max that'll fit.

Yeah, there is a thermostat in the motor, never checked what it was, but I'm pretty sure it's a 180. I need to double check my gauge too.

 

[rainman]

My guess would be, not enough fan, and or shrouding! Make sure shroud is tight and your getting all of the cooling effect from the fan!![S

 

[HOT40ROD]

You did not say what kind of car it in. First I would drop to a 160 thermostate and make sure that no air can roll around from the engine compartment to the front of the radiator, Box it in between the grille and the Radiator.

Check the timing to make sure its were it should be.

Third make sure the electric fan is covering most of the radiator and it is turning the right way.

Also a external oil cooler will help. Remember that you are pumping the hot oil from the trans into the radiator. I seen trans run as hot as 240 degrees.

You can also try restricting the flow from the radiator to the engine. I always drilled a freeze out plug and clamp it in the lower radiator hose.

If none of that works you may need a bigger radiator. Rule of thumb is that the radiator should at least hold 1 1/4 times what the engine holds. If you bore and add compression to the engine you may need more.

 

[Sam_Fear]

That 1-1/4 capacity rule is what I was looking for.

Oh yeah. This is in my 48 Olds. The current radiator is a goner - besides being for a v6, it has a couple small leaks. I knew right off that I would eventually need to go to a better cooling radiator, so now I am. So I either go junk yarding for a $50 v8 replacement or buy a aluminum one that'll fit where my old one is now for $150+.

I'm starting to think I should go with the new and be done with it.

I also need to re-run my hoses better - any ideas?

A couple old pics from the thread that don't show much...

 

[rainman]

Sam are you sure you are pulling the air in, and not pushing it forward?

 

[Sam_Fear]

Sam are you sure you are pulling the air in, and not pushing it forward?

Yep. I stuck my finger in it to make sure. This radiator was out of a 85 Cutlass, so I'm sure it's clogged pretty well after 25 years of neglect. Also, right now it would keep it cool, but this summer in 85+ degree weather is when it would want to heat up.

Would 'hotter plugs make a difference on the engine temps?

 

[rainman]

I'll just say one more thing then I'll shut up, the reason I said probably not enough fan was because of something you said!!
You said it heats up when stopped, and barely keeps up while driving!!
That suggests you're not getting enough air through the rad. or it isn't enough water (coolant) capacity!!
Good Luck Sam!!

 

[Sam_Fear]

Thanks for the input Rainman. I am concerned with the fan airflow. It's a junk yard fan off a 90's Chrysler 4 banger car. I should probably get a second fan and build a proper shroud.

I'm going to go ahead and order the v8 aluminum radiator too. I won't have to rely on the fan as much that way.

 

[zzrodder]

Hard to tell from your excellent pics - it's been covered already but I'll repeat it anyway - shrouding to enclose the fan to the rad is real important, also sealing the opening in the cowl support area so the air coming through the grille is going through the rad and not around it. It may be a minor help but using copper pipe with short sections of hose at the ends for your rad hoses will dissipate some heat too.

 

[Old Iron]

When choosing a fan look for one that's on a V8 with air conditioning they pull more air than the others
A good fan would be from a Mercury Cougar or Thunderbird V8 car
V6 radiators aren't big enough (not enough capacity)
Leaning them to fit makes no difference as long as you block the air from going around the sides,top and bottom of them coming from the grille area

Jim

 

[Toad]

I always use an aluminum 3 core on a 350 & never have any probs.

Toad