The Ford Barn

drolston · 08-12-2018, 02:47 PM

Idle in traffic on a hot day without pegging the temp gauge, that is.

Block was boiled and scraped clean before overhaul to 284"
New Champion aluminum radiator, rated at 500 hp.
Spacer to move fan closer to radiator.
Partial (about 2/3) fan shroud from Speedway.
Wide opening (Subaru) 170 deg thermostats clamped in place
Water wetter additive.
Timing advanced.

Running great but still pegged temp (measured 210) at idle on a 90+ day. With a 7lb cap it did not blow steam, but it makes me nervous to see the temp pegged in traffic. What if I had a real overheat problem?

Invested $125 in a pair of Dennis Carpenter water pumps, chosen because the technical claim is higher flow at low rpm. There are 8 fins instead of 6, and they are curved instead of straight. And they work like a champ. On a 92 degree day (probably 96 in my garage) the temp went to about 185, the thermostats opened and the temp dropped to the thermostat setting of 170, and stayed there.

Bored&Stroked · 08-12-2018, 03:02 PM

I have a set of Skips pumps in my 284 flathead and last summer I was in a long-ass line to get into GoodGuys here in Columbus - was a 45 minute slow crawl and it was pushing 90 degrees. The car idled just fine and with a non-pressurized stock 32 style radiator, the temperature never got above about 195 . . . made me quite happy! When I left later that day, it was closer to 95 degrees and another hour crawl to get out -- same deal, no over-heating issues as all.

drolston · 08-12-2018, 03:34 PM

So, now our challenge is to keep the driver cool. We could compare the relative merits of your '32 crank out windshield versus my '41 wind wings.

texas webb · 08-12-2018, 04:28 PM

Don't know how the folks in the 30's-40's made it.

Vintage Copper 47 · 08-12-2018, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drolston

So, now our challenge is to keep the driver cool. We could compare the relative merits of your '32 crank out windshield versus my '41 wind wings.

After owning a 1944 Chevy Troop truck with front opening windshield, I tell you it is the best.. you open that.. then crack the side windows.. the air "swirls" around you...

ford38v8 · 08-12-2018, 05:43 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I used to smoke a pipe. Wing windows kept the wife happy.

B-O-B · 08-12-2018, 08:48 PM

What do you guys do for your feet, My roadster gives plenty of air to the driver but my feet sure get hot. I have the floor & firewall insulated with foil backed black butyl stuff called kool-it themo tec. Sure wish I had a cowl vent.

A bones · 08-13-2018, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-O-B

What do you guys do for your feet, My roadster gives plenty of air to the driver but my feet sure get hot. I have the floor & firewall insulated with foil backed black butyl stuff called kool-it themo tec. Sure wish I had a cowl vent.

My 'T' always bothered my wife what with the header pipe under the wood floor. One day I went to the speed shop and bought a package of header wrap. I dropped the pipe to make it easy to install, followed the instructions and voila, happy wife.

Bored&Stroked · 08-13-2018, 07:14 AM

Well, I have a 32 Cab - so while I have a cowl vent, the windshield doesn't crank out . . . Arrrrrrrrrrgh!. On top of the stock wooden floorboards I have an insulation mat/pad that is about 1/4" thick (with the foil type surface on one side). It snaps onto the floorboards and then my carpet goes over that. That helps a lot with engine heat from the headers and exhaust system.

revkev6 · 08-13-2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-O-B

What do you guys do for your feet, My roadster gives plenty of air to the driver but my feet sure get hot. I have the floor & firewall insulated with foil backed black butyl stuff called kool-it themo tec. Sure wish I had a cowl vent.

on cool new england nights sometimes I think the warm floorboards are the only thing that keeps the wife in the car with me

40 Deluxe · 08-14-2018, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texas webb

Don't know how the folks in the 30's-40's made it.

You don't miss what you've never had! People just dealt with it. We got along without cupholders, too!!

drolston · 08-14-2018, 11:21 AM

Lacking the upper body strength I had in my teens, I can no longer maneuver the coupe with one hand while holding a refreshing beverage in the other. So I put in one of those strap-in consoles with the cup holders. The console is also a handy place for the flashlight needed to read the deeply shaded and low contrast gauges on a bright day.

08-12-2018, 02:47 PM	#1
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Flathead Fans, It Can be Done! Idle in traffic on a hot day without pegging the temp gauge, that is. Block was boiled and scraped clean before overhaul to 284" New Champion aluminum radiator, rated at 500 hp. Spacer to move fan closer to radiator. Partial (about 2/3) fan shroud from Speedway. Wide opening (Subaru) 170 deg thermostats clamped in place Water wetter additive. Timing advanced. Running great but still pegged temp (measured 210) at idle on a 90+ day. With a 7lb cap it did not blow steam, but it makes me nervous to see the temp pegged in traffic. What if I had a real overheat problem? Invested $125 in a pair of Dennis Carpenter water pumps, chosen because the technical claim is higher flow at low rpm. There are 8 fins instead of 6, and they are curved instead of straight. And they work like a champ. On a 92 degree day (probably 96 in my garage) the temp went to about 185, the thermostats opened and the temp dropped to the thermostat setting of 170, and stayed there.

08-12-2018, 03:02 PM	#2
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,068	Re: Flathead Fans, It Can be Done! I have a set of Skips pumps in my 284 flathead and last summer I was in a long-ass line to get into GoodGuys here in Columbus - was a 45 minute slow crawl and it was pushing 90 degrees. The car idled just fine and with a non-pressurized stock 32 style radiator, the temperature never got above about 195 . . . made me quite happy! When I left later that day, it was closer to 95 degrees and another hour crawl to get out -- same deal, no over-heating issues as all.

08-12-2018, 03:34 PM	#3
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Flathead Fans, It Can be Done! So, now our challenge is to keep the driver cool. We could compare the relative merits of your '32 crank out windshield versus my '41 wind wings.

08-12-2018, 04:28 PM	#4
texas webb Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 636	Re: Flathead Fans, It Can be Done! Don't know how the folks in the 30's-40's made it.

08-12-2018, 05:43 PM	#6
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,645	Re: Flathead Fans, It Can be Done! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I used to smoke a pipe. Wing windows kept the wife happy. __________________ Alan

08-12-2018, 08:48 PM	#7
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 1,987	Re: Flathead Fans, It Can be Done! What do you guys do for your feet, My roadster gives plenty of air to the driver but my feet sure get hot. I have the floor & firewall insulated with foil backed black butyl stuff called kool-it themo tec. Sure wish I had a cowl vent.

08-13-2018, 07:14 AM	#9
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,068	Re: Flathead Fans, It Can be Done! Well, I have a 32 Cab - so while I have a cowl vent, the windshield doesn't crank out . . . Arrrrrrrrrrgh!. On top of the stock wooden floorboards I have an insulation mat/pad that is about 1/4" thick (with the foil type surface on one side). It snaps onto the floorboards and then my carpet goes over that. That helps a lot with engine heat from the headers and exhaust system.

08-14-2018, 11:21 AM	#12
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Flathead Fans, It Can be Done! Lacking the upper body strength I had in my teens, I can no longer maneuver the coupe with one hand while holding a refreshing beverage in the other. So I put in one of those strap-in consoles with the cup holders. The console is also a handy place for the flashlight needed to read the deeply shaded and low contrast gauges on a bright day.