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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / runs hot at a light or in traffic

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Posted By Discussion Topic: runs hot at a light or in traffic -- page: 1 2 3     46fordnut 05-07-2010 @ 8:16 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 332 Joined: Oct 2009 h*llo iv'e been working some small issues maybe you may know more then me. can someone give me an idea why after 1/2 hour ride my car would run very hot if i stop at a traffic light . and then if i move it takes a long time when i'm driving to cool back off. i thought it might be the thermostate took them out still has same problem. (temp gauge goes all the way to the "H"). car seems to run fine no water comming out of over flow tube when this happens . i do have a newer rad cap and hoses and engine coolant. the car is a 1946 ford with a 239 v8 flathead 24 stud. belts are tight and are only 1 year old. ford38v8 05-07-2010 @ 9:39 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2758 Joined: Oct 2009 46, your problem is not uncommon at all. Flathead Fords have always pushed the envelope on cooling capacity. While stopped at a light, not enough air is going through your radiator to properly cool the water, as the fan can't pull enough without the aid of the head-on wind. There are several things you can do to ensure that you have maximum cooling efficiency: Remove your radiator to an old style radiator shop, to have it boiled out, and a flow test done. They will then advise if it requires a rod-out. You'll then have a radiator in top shape. You can remove the thermostats, and install high flow water pumps, available both from Bob Drake and from Skip Haney. I'd go with the Haney pumps, myself. Alan 46fordnut 05-08-2010 @ 3:48 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 332 Joined: Oct 2009 what do you think of putting a 6v eletric fan whats called a "push" type. do you think this may work too? tbloss 05-08-2010 @ 8:20 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 38 Joined: Oct 2009 46fordnut: Good advice above about checking your radiator. I drive my cars a lot in mostly 90++ weather--2 46's & a 35. Have never needed a fan using Skips Pumps. Tom B supereal 05-08-2010 @ 8:28 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 The problem with electric fans is that they draw a large amount of current, particularly at 6 volts. Good ones require a relay and a thermostatic switch. They can get pricey. I agree with the others regarding the radiator. I still run old style pumps on my '47, which couldn't get out of the driveway without heating when I bought it. I invested in a new radiator, and have never had a problem since. It is pricey, to be sure, but the only practical solution since good radiator shops have largely disappeared. Even then, repaired radiators were never as effective as replacement, often because the fins had loosened from the tubes over time from vibration. 51f1 05-08-2010 @ 2:23 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 573 Joined: Oct 2009 If your cooling system is up to snuff, you shouldn't overheat. Have your radiator cleaned, and remove your water pumps, and make sure the impellers are o.k. Look inside your hoses and replace any that may be deteriorated and impeding flow. Put the thermostats back in, and make sure the belts are tight enough. Check the ignition timing. If that doesn't do it, there must be a problem inside your block that is impeding water flow. Clean the water jacket. You may have to remove your heads and check the water passages. When these engines were built, they cooled o.k., not great, but they cooled. Find out what is wrong and fix it. You don't need extra fans and fancy water pumps. Richard carguy 05-08-2010 @ 2:46 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 167 Joined: Oct 2009 Not the same problem but, possibly, related. I drained my '34, including the block petcocks, and refilled with new antifreeze. I found that I couldn't get the cooling system to accept the specified amount of coolant. Then I drove it, it didn't overheat but after driving for about 10-15 minutes I had coolant coming out of the radiator overflow. I don't think it overheated. Could it be that the coolant just expanded enough to push out excess fluid? Or something even more troubling? shogun1940 05-08-2010 @ 6:14 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 464 Joined: Feb 2010 if your not loosing water, check the temp with infared heat gun or a kitchen thermometer. there is a product called water weter that helps transfer heat, also make sure your antifreeze is 50/50 and not more concentrated, it will cause over heating ,try these before condeming the pumps, radiator, reverse flush the radiator and see if you get a good flow , goodluck trjford8 05-09-2010 @ 8:10 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 4214 Joined: Oct 2009 I agree with shogun1940, check the temp with a meat thermometer or infared unit before making a lot of changes. You may have a temp gauge that is not functioning properly. 37RAGTOPMAN 05-09-2010 @ 8:57 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1958 Joined: Oct 2009 get a mechanical temp gauge, install it one of the head outlets,see what it reads,run the engine and compare the 2 reading, I am with trjford on this make sure what exactly is your problem, you might just need new temp senders,or a gauge. KEEP ON TRUCKIN 37RAGTOPMAN

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