The Ford Barn

Lhead · 01-16-2024, 08:51 AM

Just a thought has anyone ever tried the cooling trick Barney Navarro used. Placing a length of copper pipe behind the water pump cavity through the water jackets to the back of the block to increase cooling and circulation.. Anyone try this . Let me know if its worthwhile to try.
Thanks

jimTN · 01-16-2024, 08:55 AM

I would like to see how that is done. Have heard of it but believe there is more to it than just putting a tube in the block.

pistonbroke · 01-16-2024, 09:21 AM

That's why the coolant holes in the head gaskets get larger as they go toward the back of the engine. Dodge and Plymouth had a brass tube that went from the water pump to the back of the block that distributed coolant at each exhaust valve seat . Kind of the same concept , cooling evenly for the entire length of the block. Tim

big job · 01-16-2024, 01:03 PM

Besides Chrysler Products all big block MELs have 3 thermostats and two 'of those' water divertors...Mercury Edsel Lincoln............

Ronnieroadster · 01-16-2024, 02:18 PM

That's something i did on one of my all our race flatheads. The idea is simple get more coolant to the rear of the block all I can say is it wont hurt a bit.
Ronnieroadster

Bored&Stroked · 01-16-2024, 03:03 PM

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This is also why in the 49-53 blocks the water outlet passages in the rear of the decks are much bigger/different than the earlier engines. The cars were getting heavier and tended to build up more heat in the engine compartments and Ford was trying to cool the rear of the blocks with more coolant flow than the fronts. It makes total sense and it helped.

Pete · 01-16-2024, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lhead

Just a thought has anyone ever tried the cooling trick Barney Navarro used. Placing a length of copper pipe behind the water pump cavity through the water jackets to the back of the block to increase cooling and circulation.. Anyone try this . Let me know if its worthwhile to try.
Thanks

If you have the block stripped before you do anything to it for a rebuild, it is very likely you will need 180 thermostats to get it warm enough when operating.

It is not so much the rust in the water jackets that causes heating problems as it is the scale and stripping is the only thing that will get all of the scale out.

01-16-2024, 08:51 AM	#1
Lhead Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 9	Overheating Flathead Just a thought has anyone ever tried the cooling trick Barney Navarro used. Placing a length of copper pipe behind the water pump cavity through the water jackets to the back of the block to increase cooling and circulation.. Anyone try this . Let me know if its worthwhile to try. Thanks

01-16-2024, 08:55 AM	#2
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: Overheating Flathead I would like to see how that is done. Have heard of it but believe there is more to it than just putting a tube in the block.

01-16-2024, 09:21 AM	#3
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 485	Re: Overheating Flathead That's why the coolant holes in the head gaskets get larger as they go toward the back of the engine. Dodge and Plymouth had a brass tube that went from the water pump to the back of the block that distributed coolant at each exhaust valve seat . Kind of the same concept , cooling evenly for the entire length of the block. Tim

01-16-2024, 01:03 PM	#4
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Overheating Flathead Besides Chrysler Products all big block MELs have 3 thermostats and two 'of those' water divertors...Mercury Edsel Lincoln............

01-16-2024, 02:18 PM	#5
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,529	Re: Overheating Flathead That's something i did on one of my all our race flatheads. The idea is simple get more coolant to the rear of the block all I can say is it wont hurt a bit. Ronnieroadster __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish. "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

01-16-2024, 03:03 PM	#6
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,070	Re: Overheating Flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This is also why in the 49-53 blocks the water outlet passages in the rear of the decks are much bigger/different than the earlier engines. The cars were getting heavier and tended to build up more heat in the engine compartments and Ford was trying to cool the rear of the blocks with more coolant flow than the fronts. It makes total sense and it helped.