Radiator replace or something else?
 

OK time to make a decision and I need some help.
Just finished a 160 mile club tour in Central Ky. This is the first real run I have made in my truck. As most know I installed an APCO gauge.

Both days were cool temps in 60s up to mid 70s. The drive average speed was between 40-45 MPH. Country is hilly with some long grades.

1. My moto-meter never got up to the summer average line.
2. Gauge was indicating 190+ and moving above 200+ on long grades dropping speeds to 35 mph. No pinging engine ran well. Spark at 3/4 up hills and adjusted less with no change in temp.

3. Entire trip fluid level in radiator remained constant. Never lost a drop!

As seasonal temps increase into high 80's I expect it will get way too hot. Other club members with same gauge advised they seldom see above 180.

See no rust coolant is clean. Radiator looks great but have no history on it. It surely is not original.

With this situation should I replace the radiator with new one?

Club members have not had much luck with any shops.

Hate to spend the money and find problem is elsewhere.

Thanks all!

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

if thats accurate your engine will have a slow death.
get a bergs

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

Google jackbahm+cooling and you will find my version of what might be happening.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

Are you sure the gauge is accurate??
Do you have access to a "point and shoot" temp gauge??
I forget what they're called, available at H Freight for about 25-30$. FWIW
Paul in CT

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

infrared gun

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

Most temp gauges are not calibrated. You can check the coolant temp with either a refrigeration thermometer with the pointed probe or an infrared gun. You may not need a radiator after all.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

It might be good to troubleshoot the situation and find the problem before starting to replace parts.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

Gauge appears to be accurate. Snyders was kind enough to send a second gauge so I could check them. Both were within a couple of degrees. Even the Motto Meter was reading correctly.

I checked gauge with probe in water at a known temp. (Used scientific prob. thermometer)

Also checked Motto Meter with mercury up about 1/2 inch it was reading approx. 150 degrees.

Trouble shoot.... that is what I am doing.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

It is great to hear from the gang. Just a bit confusing when the prognosis lies between Slow Death, to Acorns. LOL

Not much to go on.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

Assuming it is the Radiator, since the engine is pretty fresh, and new water pump, hoses etc. Which is better? Bergs or Brassworks? I want this to be a COOL running touring car not a cruise- in Sat. nite and sit car!

From what I have seen is 10 fins per inch vs. 6.

Oh and 100 bucks more.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

I like the Berg's better than any other I've seen.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

The Berg's radiator did the trick for me.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

My '29 Tudor Sedan had the same problem you described. It has a Falluca touring engine and Mitchell overdrive that are recent. It came with a 2-core modern radiator that was pretty cheaply constructed. 160 degree thermostat or not it would build temp. on the highway. I looked at Brassworks and bought a Berg's last year at French Lick. Problem solved. The Berg's is really heavy-duty. It may get up to 180 deg in hot weather on the highway at speed but normally runs at 160 with the thermostat.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

engine pans installed? I would get that point and shoot temp gun as suggested to check temp at various points on radiator,might have some blocked tubes and could be repaired,lot cheaper than a new radiator,to bad Ford did away with the fan shroud.

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

Do you have a thermostat? ---this could explain the difference between the gauge and the motormeter if they are both accurate

On a motormeter the line that goes all the way from side to side below the open circle is 160, it is there for alcohol "antifreze", over 160 it boils away

When you were testing gauges did the motormeter and the apco have the same readings as the test thermometer?

if you are not loosing coolant it would seem the motometer is more correct

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

rocket 1,just seen a shroud in mike's catalog this morning. fiberglass i think. tom

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

When APCO is reading 190 the Moto-Meter maybe 1/4 inch up the tube or less.
No where the 160 line you mentioned. I am not running a thermostat.

I did notice with a short warm up the head was warm and upper radiator was warm. The lower inlet pipe was cold.
I am guessing the coolant may not flowing fast enough through the core? Or just not efficient enough?

Some folks say to forget the Gauge and just go by the Motto or loss of coolant/steam.

Now that I installed the gauge I am not comfortable with that solution. I almost wish I never put the gauge in! (Heck Henry didn't think it needed one!)

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

the motormeter is just a reference and by know way accurate

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

I have run a immersion sensor in the liquid of the top tank and the motor meter read the same as the liquidg

Re: Radiator replace or something else?
 

Sometimes I think we scare ourselves with hypothetical scenarios. My personal take is do not worry about it at the moment because it is not losing water after such a trip. Adding to that, it apparently is not boiling water either by you saying you did not lose any. My take is if it is doing neither the boiling or blowing of water, then there probably is not an issue. My reasoning is the water flow exits from the top of the head into the radiator's upper tank. It should be warm there. As the water flows thru the tubes, the fins should dissipate that heat thus making it cooler by the time the water reaches the lower tank. Yours apparently is doing so. If the water were boiling excessively, it would soon turn to steam and you would notice water and/or steam exiting the cap or overflow. Go drive it more, ...and at faster speeds and see how it reacts.