i recently replaced the motor in my 90 5.0 with a 302 bored .040 over. I ran into a cooling issue, my car was running so hot that the plug tips basically disintegrated. So i replaced the plugs and put a cooler thermostat in, 180 degree high flow to be exact. its still running warmer than I'd like though. I'm thinking about getting an electric fan and aluminum radiator conversion kit. any suggestions? or should i just get a high volume water pump? in the future, i plan to supercharge the car, and im currently in south carolina, but plan to be in new york within the next 2 years. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Electric fan vs mechanical
- Thread starter CaspersFoxes
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JustA5.0
Member
Is your radiator air deflector still intact? Do most of the fins still look good on your rad?
I agree with Rick about the stock setup. I'll add that there's nothing wrong efficiency wise with the stock 3-row copper rad. Used to have supposedly the best electric fan controller you can get 'DCC' with the Taurus swap. Thing would turn on too late, or do the opposite and not shut the fan off. My mechanic verified that I had installed the controller correctly, after telling him all that and asking if I needed to upgrade my cooling system (alum rad, lincoln fan). Finally, the day it didn't turn on at all blowing my lower rad hose off (turning a Saturday morning drive to the car wash into a 6-hour ordeal), I threw the setup in the trash and swapped the stock stuff back.
My car is actually running too cool now in 75+ temps, and I'm putting the stock t-stat in (currently 180*).
I agree with Rick about the stock setup. I'll add that there's nothing wrong efficiency wise with the stock 3-row copper rad. Used to have supposedly the best electric fan controller you can get 'DCC' with the Taurus swap. Thing would turn on too late, or do the opposite and not shut the fan off. My mechanic verified that I had installed the controller correctly, after telling him all that and asking if I needed to upgrade my cooling system (alum rad, lincoln fan). Finally, the day it didn't turn on at all blowing my lower rad hose off (turning a Saturday morning drive to the car wash into a 6-hour ordeal), I threw the setup in the trash and swapped the stock stuff back.
My car is actually running too cool now in 75+ temps, and I'm putting the stock t-stat in (currently 180*).
f8tlfiveo
My wife likes my spool and blow-off valve.
on efi? i'm using the same setup that was on the stock 302, what would be the difference
also.. before hand it was running nearly 270. i haven't noticed anything that it was doing before hand. also before i'd made the mistake of running platinum plugs, now im running standard ngk coppers
none of the plastics are there, never noticed until after the rebuild. They weren't there since i got it apparently. where's a good place to get them cheap?
JustA5.0
Member
Probably 50resto is the cheapest.
$45 for the main (OE Ford)
$20 sides
$5 for hardware
You may want to invest in an Autometer temp coolant gauge (mechanical gets my vote) for assurance, but if the rest of your cooling setup is working you won't be overheating with the stock stuff on that build.
The air deflector will do wonders for your cooling, still doesnt explain melting spark plugs...
It it was running 270 in the past you have major issues, 270 degree would warp the heads and cause many other issues. You should run right around the thermostat temp, say within 15 degrees or so. NGK makes a good plug
It it was running 270 in the past you have major issues, 270 degree would warp the heads and cause many other issues. You should run right around the thermostat temp, say within 15 degrees or so. NGK makes a good plug
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
What do/did you have the timing set at? You didn't say. I would guess at this point that your melted spark plugs were the result of pinging.
There's nothing wrong with platinum plugs in an engine like yours. They certainly weren't causing the problems you have now.
You should also be using a 195° thermostat. Thermostats don't cause overheating unless they fail.
Another thing, if it's overheating at low speed like when stuck in traffic, then that's a problem with airflow through the radiator that the plastic airflow directors aren't going to fix. A failing fan clutch comes to mind.
There's nothing wrong with platinum plugs in an engine like yours. They certainly weren't causing the problems you have now.
You should also be using a 195° thermostat. Thermostats don't cause overheating unless they fail.
Another thing, if it's overheating at low speed like when stuck in traffic, then that's a problem with airflow through the radiator that the plastic airflow directors aren't going to fix. A failing fan clutch comes to mind.
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
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