Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

My car in the summer would get up around 190 degrees when I drove it downtown and made several stops. Maybe that’s not to bad, but I would like to get it to run as cool as possible, not only for my comfort, but also for the engine. The following is a list of things I’m doing to hopefully make it run cooler.

1. Put acid in block to remove rust and grim
2. Rebuilt engine and had the machine shop hone cylinder holes to the high side of tolerance to cut down of friction
3. Had distributor rebuilt and timing set correctly (I hope)
4. Installed skip’s water pumps and coil
5. Flush out low mileage radiator and put thin coat of paint on radiator
6. Install new radiator hoses for better flow
7. Install radiator overflow tank
8. Install original 6 blade fan
9. Put purple ice in radiator
10. Install 3:54 gears so engine would run at lower Rpm’s
11. Installed new muffler system for better exhaust flow
12. Adjust braking system so there is no drag on the brake shoes
13. My car is an early 35 that had the solid inner fenders. I’m in the process of swapping those out for the fin ones.

When I get finished, I will let you know if these modifications lower the temp or not. Is there anything else I can do.

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

Thermostat?

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

isn't 190 a pretty normal temperature??, not overheating at all??....you need it to get that hot to keep sludge from building??.....doesn't sound like you need to do anything to it at all...just my thots....Mike

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

Sounds like you have covered every base. Good luck, keep us posted.

Shadetree

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

I agree with Mike In AZ. Sounds pretty darn normal to me. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.
Sounds like you are "fixin" to spend mega bucks for nothing.

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

190 is hot for normal driving, 175 would be more like the desired temperature driving and could get up to 190 to 195 in heavy stop and go traffic on hot days. Sludge don't form with the modern oil at least not with Castrol 20/50. Attached is the engine of my 39 convertible after 75,000 miles and not a drop of sludge in the pan. I was changing oil and put my finger in the drain hole to feel for dirt etc and felt something move. Put back in again and the screen and tube dropped off. Pulled the pan and welded it back. Had 45 lbs of oil pressure as I pulled into change the oil. That was a luck find. G.M.

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

How about just putting on an electric fan!

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

I'm going to run without thermostats. I think most agrre that ther will make an engine run hotter. No need for skip's pumps if I put a thermostat in it. Electric fan is an opition but that would be a last resort. I'm hoping the 6 blade fan will make up for additioonal wind I may need.

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

I know I am paranoid when it comes to engine temperature. But there ain't much room on that temperature gauge above high normal (supposedly 180°) and when I am sitting at a red light and it goes up to this point I get nervous. Now I turn the electric fan on before I get to the traffic light and all is well.

However I am not sure this would work in Texas this summer!

I have to wonder what the temperature ran on these cars back when everything was new. If Fords were noted for being tea kettles, they wouldn't have sold so many of them...

Shadetree

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

i re-read the original post....sounds like all the work has been done and it is running 190 now after all the work??....what temp does it run at when not running down the road and not in stop and go traffic, etc??....might be a matter of timing and carburetor adjustment...good luck....Mike

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

After a rebuild (hot tanked block), 160 stats, timing set, fenton headers, and a re-cored radiator on my truck I have not seen close to 190. Mostly it runs at 160 or less. I thought a good running temp is 180-200, no?

So are you going to do one at a time and document the changes? Or all of this and document?

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

One simple thing I did was to make a 2-piece (1 each side) rubber flap to sit between the top of the grille and the top tank of the radiator on my '36. All it does is cause air to go through the radiator rather than a percentage going over the top of it. I use 160 thermostats in summer & 180 in winter with no engine fan & only very occasional use of electric fans (2 on the front of the radiator) if I'm stuck in traffic on a stinking hot day. My radiator is 5-row with original top & bottom tanks.

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

New/uprated pumps and a Walker rad are the first things I would do if I was having heating problems...the ignition,brake etc issues should be dealt with as a course of routine for a decent operating car.I`ve had heat issues in the past and tried all the magic bullet cures....new modern cored rad or recored original and pumps were the best money spent and the peace of mind it gives you when you see all those brake lights coming on up ahead when gridlock strikes is worth every penny.

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

Hi GM, looks like that exh pipe is inside the pan, must be to heat the oil on a cold day. LOL Walt

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

Walt it ran so cool when it was 90 outside I had to heat the oil to get oil pressure. G.M.

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

How are you reading the temp and are you reading both sides?

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

Sludge don't form with the modern oil at least not with Castrol 20/50. Attached is the engine of my 39 convertible after 75,000 miles and not a drop of sludge in the pan.


GM,
Your engine is remarkably clean for 75,000 miles. How often do you change oil? I change mine every spring and I know I don't drive it 3000 miles.

Shadetree

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

I don't see a heating problem, we barnes would be happy at that :) temp.running. ..#11. installed new muffler system ?? Is that muffles with "S" or one pipe, or I hope duals?? and what or whos muffler'S ? and now the "HEADERS" If your staying with the original ( big mistake ) think about the heat the stock header will transfer to the engine block side, you can not slide a number two pencel between the two, and just inside, is the water your trying to cool ?? A good tube header,will move the heat out and away from the engine block side.. NOT "Fentons" there made of something heavy too.and thay also stay close ...and there rough inside, not smooth liks a tube...
TEMPERATERA; Your gage, whos are you reading, the original or a good after market. Stewart-Warner. or ? and maybe connect two. like someone else said ..for this test ?? ...
.:p..and ..... OLD....BILL:cool:...... opens a another can of worms.....

Re: Steps I took to make car run cooler
 

MY 2 cents is by blocking of the air flow over the engine you increase the engine temp and block the the air flow out of the engine compartment. You need a positive airflow in the engine area. Articles have been published but I have nothing in my hand..... Gordon