RUNNING HOT..after doing good stuff

[Terry,OH]

After installing the rebuilt pumps did you make sure they turned complete revolutions freely. What engine the original 39?

[Frank Miller]

As someone said earlier get a laser thermometer. With this you can pinpoint temps throughout the cooling system. If a thermostat is stuck or a radiator not flowing you will see hot or cold spots as appropriate to the condition.

[Shoebox]

I agree with JSeery, will purchase a laser temp gun to verify what the actual temps are. 51MERC.... Skip states to ONLY use Shewman stats if using stats, with his pumps. Regarding johnny, yes my rad is as you describe, with overflow coming off bump at center of rad top, so what are you saying regarding what cap to use??

Again, thanks all.

[Kube]

I think most of you that have responded need to go back and digest the initial post.
The car did NOT overheat prior to swapping the pumps and installing thermostats. The gauge, regardless of its accuracy never showed more than "N", normal.
So, unless the radiator shop screwed up the radiator (unlikely) the issue is either with the new pumps and / or the addition of thermostats.
This is an easy one to solve but must be taken a step at a time.

Sure, it may be nice to see how the radiator is (or is not) functioning but it still comes back to what was recently changed - THAT'S when the issue began.

I'm 99% certain, it's the pumps and / or the stats. My guess? The stats...

[G.M.]

Put a house type fan against the grill and run the engine at about
speed of 35 MPH. This will give you the operating temp at normal
driving speed. The stock fan does not provide enough air through
the radiator at slow traffic speeds or long idles. G.M.

[Shoebox]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Kube, spot on as per usual. I pulled the stats last night and drove.....car cooled well as before doing these things, temp needle not going beyond N. I agree however that I need to find what exact temp Normal is, as I wish to run stats. Harbor Freight has an Easter Day Weekend sale, going to get a laser temp gun,....... right after church. Will report findings.

[Phil Gillespie]

Another example of Fault Finding 101.
Always go back and check what you last "played with or changed" and to always simplify by only altering or changing one item at a time.
glad you solved this one.
Phil NZ

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

You say you have Skips pumps.
As I recall in order for his high flow pumps to work properly he says NOT to use thermostats.

Originally Posted by Shoebox

Kube, spot on as per usual. I pulled the stats last night and drove.....car cooled well as before doing these things, temp needle not going beyond N. I agree however that I need to find what exact temp Normal is, as I wish to run stats. Harbor Freight has an Easter Day Weekend sale, going to get a laser temp gun,....... right after church. Will report findings.

Perhaps you should call Skips to see if in fact he advises NOT
to use thermostats.

[shoe box Jack]

after reading all this info I understand with noo stats. the flat heads will run cooler??. Jack

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by shoe box Jack

after reading all this info I understand with noo stats. the flat heads will run cooler??. Jack

That is true for many engines - as without thermostats, the cooling system might be over-cooling the engine . . . and it never really gets to a 180 degree operating temperature. That is NOT a good thing.

In my 42 Merc flathead (heavily modified - 284 cubes - running Skips pumps), if it is NOT hot out AND I don't run thermostats, then the engine will not get much above about 140 degrees. This is TOO cold of a temperature to run it at - causes undue wear, problems with oil and sludge, corrosion, etc.. So, I do need thermostats to keep the engine up at the correct running temperature.

I have NOT ran the special thermostats that GM and others talk about (Shewmans???), I run just a regular 180 degree thermostat. As this is a new combination, I will see how well it does this summer. If I have issues, I MIGHT try the Sherman thermostats . . . though the article that 'The Professor' did showed that he did not cool any better with these, than his regular ones.

Okay - that's my story . . . and I'm sticking to it! LOL

B&S

[Binx]

Check the timing. Retarded timing will keep the engine hot.

Lonnie

[deuce_roadster]

Without stats, my avatar roadster would NOT get above 110 degrees and ran poorly. I have 170s in there now and as soon as it gets above 150, it runs like a clock. With or without stats depends on the whole rest of the system and so you can't make a blanket statement about whether they are necessary or not.

[G.M.]

Originally Posted by Shoebox

Kube, spot on as per usual. I pulled the stats last night and drove.....car cooled well as before doing these things, temp needle not going beyond N. I agree however that I need to find what exact temp Normal is, as I wish to run stats. Harbor Freight has an Easter Day Weekend sale, going to get a laser temp gun,....... right after church. Will report findings.

Pulled Shewman's stats and engine cooled??? I wonder if you installed
them as instructed??? Don't sound right to me. I have used a number
of Shewman's stats in 90 plus weather and never had a problem. These
stats need to be installed up against the top radiator inlets. They have
preflow holes so some water flows as soon as the engine starts. G.M.

[chap52]

A laser thermometers are less than $20 on Amazon. Good to have to help track issues like this down.

[JT FORD]

Originally Posted by Shoebox

Again thanks for all the excellent questions. I do have the stats facing correctly, the Shewman stats have 4 small holes, and they (the stats) are located up by the radiator per original. I verified operation prior to installing.

If you have a shoebox with the original motor in it the stats are NOT up by the radiator. They are in the heads! The older motors had the stats in the hoses.......

[Kube]

Yet another example of why folks should read the thread prior to commenting.
Please, go back and read Post #1

[dwaynec]

When was the change made where the stats were located in the hose down by the outlet on the head? I thought that it was in 1937 when they went to the outlet at the center of the head.

[shoe box Jack]

Hi, if I have read this right my 49 should run cooler by removing the stats. ??? Jack.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by shoe box Jack

Hi, if I have read this right my 49 should run cooler by removing the stats. ??? Jack.

What does this thread have to do with a '49 Ford?

[Ronnie]

Kube that is how these posts go sideways,next we will read no antifreeze water only. "LOL"

R