I bought a radiator for an Explorer 4.0 to go in my 84 Bronco2 (302 swap). Its about 19"x 18" aluminum with two 1" cores. I only have room to run a big pusher fan on the front.
Its a pretty hefty radiator and I figured it would cool fine, but it still runs hot. Theres Be Cool and James Duff but theses radiators cost a pile and cash is a bit short now. Any sugestions ?
Posted by: VETTKLR
Reverse the rotation of the fan and see what it does by pulling air through it, instead of pushing.
Posted by: StoneFox
Quote:
Originally posted by VETTKLR Reverse the rotation of the fan and see what it does by pulling air through it, instead of pushing.
I would love to, But I got about 3/4" between my radiator and water pump.
I dont think its a fan problem anyway, because it gets hot at speed on the street.
Posted by: VETTKLR
So your fan is on the outer side of the radiator pushing air through the radiator, right?
OK, try this: My electric fan came to me running backwards for some reason. Take a look at the direction of rotation of the fan blades. Make sure the fan blades are actually moving air the correct direction. On my fan (Identical to the Black Magic fan), all I had to do was take apart the control box (2 screws, I think), and reverse the two wires that came from the fan motor. My connections were the male/female slip-on type. Your's may be similar.
That radiator is more than enough to keep everything cool. Take a look at the direction of the blades and see if you can reverse it. When you say it gets hot at speed on the street, that's the first thing I think of: The fan is spinning the wrong way and the air can't pass through the radiator to cool it off.
Posted by: StoneFox
I have a Hayden 16" fan with two wires hanging out, I dont think I have it wired backwards but I will check that. Im gonna get a small helper fan to use as a puller.
At the moment Im not running a thermostat, Im gonna put a 160* in it. Maby the coolent is passing through the radiator to quickly to cool it enough.
Posted by: VETTKLR
You need a thermostat for that cooling system to operate properly. Down in Houston, I bet the 160* will be jes' right
Posted by: 86pushrod
try an afco 4 core aluim rad. i got one through pa auto for 190.00 works awesome and was cheap.
The problem is most likely not having the T-stat... Get one and get a 195* so you're sure it's going to open when it should instead of early(maybe a 180 will do). Also, make sure(like you said) your fan isn't wired backward. Otherwise, the 4.0 Rad will be adequate. Of this, I'm totally convinced...
The aftermarkets, like the AFCO won't fit into your application anyway. I know Ranger has a 4.0L radiator in his truck and that cools fine with a single fan. On the highway, he can shut it off and it still runs fine. The T-stat is your problem, no doubt.
Oh yeah, my suggestion... Don't bother buying the James Duff rad. if you want a better price(future reference). You can get the same rad. from Summit or Jegs for less in most cases.
Posted by: StoneFox
Thanks guys.
Posted by: 86pushrod
woops thought this was going in a mustang..... guess i should read the entire post
Posted by: MikeT
also, do you have a fan shroud and airdam?
Posted by: Grape Ape
With an aftermarket electric fan like his, it's encased in a shroud. Aftermarkets don't work as well as a regular system due to having such a small area covered, but they are more designed to fit into a small space than they are to move air over a large area. That's why I used two on my own car.
Posted by: 86pushrod
im running just the standard black magic fan and it works flawlessly
Posted by: RacingJason
Remove stock water pump
Buy rebuilt or new water pump
Buy a flow cooler disc from Summit for $5
disassemble the pump and install the flow cooler disc
mount new pump
That with a thermostat and a fan running the right direction will cool it off no problem.
Also curved blade fans can NOT be wired to reverse airflow, IE you can't turn a puller into a pusher by changing polarity. Check it out.
Posted by: StoneFox
Problem solved, Theres nothing that cant be fixed with a sawzall and some mechanics wire.
Posted by: 90lx351
torch/welder/wire/zip ties can fix anything!!!
you could fit a secon fan on the drivers side 89stone
Posted by: StoneFox
Quote:
Originally posted by 90lx351 torch/welder/wire/zip ties can fix anything!!!
you could fit a secon fan on the drivers side 89stone
I can now, and even a small puller on the back side
