I think I need to replace my radiator. I had it repaired at a shop that didn't do a good job, it still leaks a little and I'm having cooling problems.  They pinched of a couple of the channels and they are still leaking.

I see one listed at T-bird Products for $440.  It says it is a heavy duty 4 core, but I want to make sure i get the best product for the $.

Can some of you experts help me out?  Do you think this is the best solution for the price?  Or has anyone found good product that takes little/no modifications and looks original?

On the same topic I see a fiberglass fan shroud listed on T-bird products for a 55-57 T-bird for $60.  Will that fit my 56 Victoria? Or can you point me in the right direction where I can get one? 

I'm also planning on ordering one of the 6 blade heavy duty 17" fans. Has anyone tried them?

What about electric fans? Are they effective? If someone has one that works well please share the details. I'd love to have one for parades etc.

I need to get something done this winter since I over heated several times this summer while idling in traffic.

Thanks!!

Y-Blocks Rule

John F

Check w/ Lance at Thunderbirds Southwest for radiator and fan shroud.  I got my larger anti sway bars there.

"Lance" <tbirdandfordparts@fais.net>

TC

I finished the restore about 2 years ago and have 1200 miles on it since then.  It really isn't over heating bad, I may have not described it well.  It runs fine but on 100+ days at idle for a while (like in a parade) it pegs hot. Once opened up on the road it cools down pretty good. But it's a little annoying to have to worry about it and worry that if I get stuck somewhere I may have to pull over and shut it down.

What is really brining this to a head is that it is now dripping water from a few spots in the radiator...

After I put the radiator in and then finished the restore 6 months later, I noticed that it was leaking a little. I took it back that same day but the shop was cleaned out and gone... so no luck on warranty.

I took it for a drive this Sunday and popped the hood afterward and it was dripping pretty fast from the upper hose.  When i looked closer it is leaking around where the neck comes out for the hose (apart from where the pinched and soldered a tube).  I also noticed it is sweating around the joints on the tank.  So I decided to scrap the idea of a recore and ordered the new 4 core from T-bird Products.  I toyed with going aluminum but want to keep as much of a stock look as I can.  I also ordered the 6 blade fan.

I looked back at my records and I put a 160 degree thermostat in.  Do you think there is a large enough benefit in pulling it out for a 180 while I have the radiator out? I Probably will do it and give it a good flush as suggested.

I also found only 1 place that sells shrouds for the 56 full size car. I found LOTS of T-bird and truck shrouds but had a hard time finding one for my car. (www.ThunderbirdSouthwest.com Owner Lance Harrington $170)

For the electric fan, I did some more lookin and poking around on the web.  They are pretty pricey so I may wait on that and see how this other stuff works. BUT, want to see if anyone can comment on using a shroud for it or not. 

I don't think it would be wise to use a shroud because I plan to mount a pusher on the front of the radiator.  It seems it would block all the air from flowing into the radiator.

If I end up doing it I would probably just mount a simple fan on the front.

Thanks again!

Would a new guage be able to use the sensor unit in the block or does it require installing a new sensor?

don't know if you have followed my old post about installing one of those new 4 core radiators in my 55, but please be careful and check and recheck the clearance before you put it in. I noticed my new radiator was just too deep and I had to do some judicious "customizing" to get the install right - it looks and works fine, but that was after I had the spacer machined and I ground down my water pump shaft. Hopefully you won't have any trouble and it will be a simple swap.

Dan

Yeah, I saw your post when I started this whole thing.  I'll be sure to check it all out BEFORE starting the engine.

Thanks again for the heads up!

        Re the gage question, two or three thoughts, A new under dash gage will come with it's own sender. I prefer electrics, they're simple to install and considerably more accurate than the original 51 year old stocker. you will have to find a place to install the sender. Close to the thermostat will be the hottest part of the system 2) there are a number of instrument shops that can re-build and re-calabrate the original gage. 3) You can check it youself with the new aftermarket gage, and see if it needs to be re-adjusted. Most likely, as John Said, it's wrong.   

Seems to me a classic way to check the system capacity is to remove the thermostat (or put in a washer with a thermostat poppet sized hole) - then run the system in the hottest conditions. Once the system volume has reached stability (thermal expansion stops running excess water out of the radiator cap bypass) and if you aren't overpressuring the standard cap with steam -  you've basically proved the system is adequate to cool the engine. If it overheats with no thermostat restriction, the pump capacity is too small or the radiator is too small or stuffed or there isn't enough fan - or maybe your engine is building a non-typical amount of heat (like way retarded timing while idling in a parade or traffic). Something will have to be improved or fixed.

Assuming stability, a check of water temp (at the thermostat housing) versus outdooor ambient will then tell you what the system "rise" is with the equipment you've got. You can then install a thermostat to raise the temperature up to where you want it. 

I also put in the 180* high flow (#106) thermostat.  All seems well so far, I took it out on a test drive and as the guage reached the mid point, the thermostat opened and it stayed right there at the midpoint.

I also checked the timing and it is right on and seems that advance is still working well.

Thanks again for all the help.  I'll run it this way and tackle the other suggestions if it heats up again.

By the way, it's finally cruising weather again here and I'm loving every second of it!!

Sorry to hear about your install - I don't know what the issues are here, but I called the company that I bought it from (Autocity out in MN), and they said they have not heard of any troubles????? The radiator does cool well though - I like it!

Dan

Anyway, I got the new radiator, 6 blade fan and shroud on yesterday.  Now I'd like to get a good guage to see what temp I'm REALLY running. 

Can anyone suggest a good guage and which ones to stay away from?

Thanks!

Oh, I am also running a 13lbs cap - should lower that just to relieve some pressure....YMMV

When you get your new radiator in, if you don't loose coolant when the gauge reads hot, it is probably not hurting anything.  '56 gauges are not known to be very accurate, and vary from car to car.  Good luck.

John