Help with my overheating problem, not the typical problem

[bdazzgt]

hey, well i got my car lined out so i thought, i put a new Trickflow twisted wedge h/c/i new pistons, on the car. I got the idle lined out and the starter fixed so i'm driving the car through all over town it runs around 180-190* and runs great. About 10 minutes of highway driving the temp starts to creep up slowly to around 210-215 which is too warm for my liking, especially with a 180* Mr gasket thermostat. As soon as i get back to town and start driving the temp cools back down to 190-195, WTF gives im about to just start using the car for target practice. I burped the system, replaced the shroud, new fan clutch, leak tested it, new hoses, new water pump, new cap, the radiator was boiled out 2 years ago and i even emptied it and poured water in it to make sure it was flowing through. i stumped for ideas, could the radiator just not be big enough to support the new motor?

 

[Mustang5L5]

So you never had this issue before?

Do you have the lower air dam deflector under the radiator still installed?

 

[bdazzgt]

air dam is installed, never had the problem before, but then again it was a completely stock motor before also. the only change in the cooling system is i went from a 190* oem thermostat to a 180* mr gasket

 

[Bullitt95]

could the radiator just not be big enough to support the new motor?

Yes. The engine running hotter on the highway and cooler in the city are typical signs of a poorly-flowing radiator.

 

[bdazzgt]

Im just worried about having the radiator boiled/cleaned out and it still not being able to cool the new motor since its a little more beefy, i just don't know how capable the stock radiator is on cooling a hopped up motor

 

[Sicarius428]

Leads me to believe the radiator isn't up to the task. What radiator do you have?
Kevin

 

[bdazzgt]

its just a stock 90 5.0 radiator, i had it cleaned a few years ago but im not investing any more money in it

 

[03ghoststang]

ur gonna need a aftermarket one had similar issue went with a 3 row and electric fan runing cool ever since

 

[wizwrath]

How is the tune? Ignition timing, A/F mixture? When you did the heads, did you put on the head gaskets correctly? I always check and verify the themostats for operation before installing them, you would be surprised how much of them dont work at the stated themps (even name brand ones too).

 

[4rdnut]

It's possible the lower radiator hose, even though it is new, might be collapsing itself shut at highway speeds with that 4.11 rear end gear and high rpm cruising. I use a lower rad hose with the coiled wire inside to prevent collapsing. I have seen it happen on a lot of cars. The next time your on the highway pull over and check the lower hose.

 

[2000xp8]

The stock single row radiator is not enough for a h/c/i engine.
Wait until you use the a/c, the problem will be tripled.

 

[bdazzgt]

That is what i figured, not only is the radiator not big enough but its at the threshold, now just keeping it at 200* then you add summer coming and the use of a/c, it will be too much especially since i have a 180* thermostat. I just bought this 1986-93 Mustang 5.0L Complete Aluminum Radiator Upgrade Kit For Manual Transmission at LRS - Same Day Shipping!. i think this will help with my cooling problem, has anyone used one of these radiators?

 

[2000xp8]

The radiator should easily do the job.
As for the fan setup, i'm not sure i haven't actually seen anyone use it.
If it were mine, i'd put the radiator in the car, get it all running right for a few days, then add those fans.
Just to be sure they keep the car down to the temp that stock fan does.

 

[bdazzgt]

the fans pull 1000cfm each, i figure that with a new radiator that's plenty of cooling. anyone care to chime in on this? my buddy has a 306 that runs them on a stock radiator and it cools it so i hope i didnt waste my money lol
here is the fan statistics i got a new shroud and two of these http://www.americanmuscle.com/mishimoto-12in-fan.html

 

[jrichker]

Almost every fox body electic fan conversion needs a 3G alternator conversion. The typical electic fan draws 25-35 amps of current from a 65 amp alternator, and startup surges of 2-3 times that amount.

Electric fan = 3G alternator if you want long life & reliability from your car.
The electric fan saves some HP. The stock fan's parasitic drag runs from 7-12 HP depending on who you talk to. The electric fan uses about 1/2 HP of power from the electrical system.

Figure this:
Ignition system & computer = 12 amps
Fuel pump = 12 amps
Exterior lights = 15 amps
Fan (heater or A/C) = 15 amps (can run between 5-25 amps depending on setting)
Radio & instruments = 10 amps
Wipers = 10 amps

That's grand total of 74 amps from a 65 amp alternator. Talk about overdrawn at the bank!

 

[bdazzgt]

Well since yesterday was my birthday, my mom and dad bought me full length sub-frame connectors and dad got me a 3g alternator last year. im excited as hell about all the new parts. my only question is will the two fans be enough for the new motor?

 

[2000xp8]

my only question is will the two fans be enough for the new motor?

That's why i said to run it with the stock fan clutch first, that is sure to be cool enough.
Then after you make sure there are no more cooling issues, swap in the E fan setup. This way you aren't chasing your tail to figure out any problems.

Me personally, i like ford fans, not much aftermarket can match them.
Case in point, you would get less than 2000cfm from this dual fan setup, but the lincoln is rated for 2500cfm by itself, and some people suggest it will flow up to 4500cfm.
In all likelihood i would have bought the radiator, but not the fan kit.

 

[4rdnut]

mishimoto? If i were you i would check out the flexalite radiator/fan combo flx-52185 at summit racing. The fan flows 3300 cfm @ 2450 rpm with a 18 amp draw and the radiator is top of the line.

 

[bdazzgt]

that combo also 200 dollars more and doesnt include the relays i need then i had to spend, i may send the electric fans back and get something else i dunno, i will see how the radiator runs first, then install the fans i do like that advice