I know I'm new, but I need a little help....Cooling problems?

[CrazySHO88]

Well the title pretty much says it all.
This is what I've got going on here-
351W Motorsport Block, Trick Flo High Port Heads, Motorsport single plane intake, Holley 750 Carb, Milodon 160* T-stat, Milodon high flow WP, NO A/C, Flex-a-lite mech. fan w/o a clutch, Motorsport aluminum radiator, Goza recirculating catch can.

As of late I've been running into a slight cooling problem. When the car is moving, I have no problems with the temps, she stays right at or about 160*. When ever I get caught at a light, or in traffic, I can literally watch the temp go up. It has even gotten up to (GULP!) 240*. I have flushed the cooling system out, and re filled it with Ford antifreeze at a 50/50 mix with distilled water. I use no additives in the coolant. I found no rust or dirt in the system when I drained it. I just can't seem to figure this one out. It's not losing antifreeze at all either. The level stays the same.

Any ideas? Thanx in advance.....

 

[beaver2489]

are you sure no head or intake gaskets were blocking a coolant port? When I just installed my engine last month I had a bad cooling problem and it was my radiator. When it sat off the car for 2 months it got rusty/clogged. I only replaced it with a little 2core stock replacement and it fixed my problem perfect. you theromstat is installed the correct direction right? Is your fan working properly? also, is your fan blowing air or pulling air. If you put your belt on wrong the fan could be turing the wrong way and pulling air and not blowing on the engine..unless you have an electric fan. make sure the fan turns on when your sitting at stops, and if its blowing or pulling air. good luck

 

[blkstangman88]

i know this problem, i had the same problem.....if its not ur head gasket, mainly if u dont c any water coming out the tail pipe its ur water pump. the valve that hold the pressure cant hold the pressure any long so ur probly loosing ur coolant. im guessing its ur pump thats going or is already out

 

[battyice]

Doesn't sound like anything is "plugged". If your head gaskets or intake gaskets or thermostat were installed incorrectly...the car would overheat very quickly, regardless if it was moving or not. Since you say it runs nice and cool on the highway, it would seem that the coolant is able to circulate at least a little.

It is possible that the water pump isn't functioning correctly, when your car is up to operating temperature (thermostat is open), squeeze the upper radiator hose shut...when you release the hose you should feel the water pump push the coolant through and force the hose open again.

Are you sure your thermostat is opening all the way? They're cheap...might be worth replacing it before you change any of the more expensive parts.

Finally, have you been driving this car a while? What I am wondering is, was this cooling system adequate in the past...If it was, than your fan setup is probably fine. Since you say the radiator is clean with no deposites, I think that you likely have a faulty water pump impeller or faulty thermostat.

Post back when you find the problem.

 

[92Frankenstein]

Waterpump, that happened to a shp here that I go to occasionally.

could be worng, but anything is worth a try?

 

[HISSIN50]

since it only is an issue at idle, it is most likely an ancillary fan issue. if the rad was not up to par, you would run hot at speed too.

do you run underdrive pulleys? thought i would ask, though i did not see them in your sig. im thinking that the lack of a fan clutch could be your issue. what happens if you hold your idle at like 1200 RPM at a light? does the gauge still visibly rise?

that is the one thing that caught my eye, and is my two cents worth. good luck.

 

[blkstangman88]

underdrive pullys dont hurt anything like that, i have them with a nice 1500 watt stereo, ignition and electric fan and i havnt had a problem even with the stock alternator. and my car still stays right at temp (190ish) even in AZ heat at a stop light.

 

[xplo89gt]

My guess is the fan clutch or water pump.

 

[hawaii50]

I'm going through the same thing w/my blown 306. I have a Motorsport 4 core radiator, 180 degree stat, and with the stock fan, my temps would climb in stop/go traffic, and come back down on the highway/at speed. I believe my fan is the culprit, and I just finished installing dual electrics. Should have it running in a few days and I'll find out if I was right! If you're cooling at speed, then it sounds like an airflow problem, not moving enough at idle!
Just my .02!

 

[Js5ohLX]

Flex fans suck. That will be the problem. Get a bad a$$ electric fan and kiss your cooling problem goodbye.

 

[sublime29]

It does sound like not enough airflow at idle.Get a helper fan from the junkyard.You can mount it in the front of your rad.As long as it is flowing air thru the rad.You could get some water wetter to that is what alot of 1/4 mile racers use.My stang heats up at lights to.It has alot of power adders though.Anytime you add more power it will end up running hotter.Measure the rad in the front taking space into account.Then go shoping at junkyard for a fan.Then go to parts store for a switch for fan and some 10 gauge wire should be big enough.Get a heavy duty switch not a cheap on they will burn up.

 

[CrazySHO88]

Thanx for all the replies!

This is what I came up with today after work. I changed the T-stat to a new Milodon 160*, which still didn't help any.

I know it's not head gaskets, because I'm not losing coolant, nor am I seeing any white smoke from the exhaust, or seeing any puddles where I park.

I want to doubt the water pump as it has barely 2,000 miles on it, along with everything else on the motor.

I don't have underdrive pullies, or a fan clutch. But I do suspect that I may have made a mistake when installing a mechanical fan instead of a nice pair of electric fans.

I think my next step is to wait for the order I just placed for a new Milodon W/P, and take it from there.

Do you guys see anything else I may not have covered?