i have a manual trans so i have no lines running from the tranny to a cooler or anything like that

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

The coolent drain plugs on each side of the block were used by FoMoCo to supply rad water from the block to a small heat exchanger mounted on the side of Fordomatic transmissions in trucks.  My '56 had this setup.   The return was to the suction side of the water pump.  Here is a pic of the heat exchanger taken with the floor panel removed. The front of the truck is to the left and the trany is at the bottom of the pic.

This heat exer in my truck leaked water so I opted for a automatic Bronco heat exchanger which I mounted just in front of the lower right corner of the radiator.  Seems to work OK, the Fordo isn't complaining!

Doug T

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

The first thing to determine is how hot is it. Gauges in Fords are notorious for reading wrong. Get a meat thermometer or a radiator thermometer from a parts store and run the truck up to normal operating temp. Shut off the engine and insert thermometer in the radiator. In less than 5 minutes you will get your reading. Remember, that when the engine is shut off, the temp will go a little higher immediately. Be careful when removing the cap for the obvious reasons. You can do this with the engine running.



If you still have a temp problem, a good flush may help. Some guys swear by using white vinegar as a flush. Fill up the cooling system with the vinegar, run it around for a while ? and then remove it. Flush with water.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

How hot is it? Is it boiling over?

What pressure cap is on the radiator?

Are you running thermostat? If so - is it one of the "high flow" - large diameter poppet types? Find a NAPA "#6" - its 170° and large poppet.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

what can i do to make sure its running good and keep it cooled i put a redone radiator new water pump what else can i do add a fan

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

I don't think it will work too well. Both sides of the block are on the pressure side. I don't think you will get much flow through the extra cooler.

Are you having a cooling problem? I say fix the stock system. It worked pretty well when new. If you've modified the motor so that the stock system cannot cool effectively, then upgrade the cooling system.


Lawrenceville, GA

yeah he was using the tranny cooler as a cooling source well tring to would that work and if so would there be a water flow going thru it

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

Sounds like he may have been trying to band-aid a cooling problem. Was he using a trans cooler as an auxiliary source for cooling the engine?


Lawrenceville, GA

ok i was reading on another forum that a guy had a 292 y block and were the drain plugs were at on each side for the collent he said he had to lines going to a tranny cooler is that possible to do and if so would you guys recomend it as a cooling source for the motor

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD