Tough question, probably tough one to answer. I've been trying to get my engine to run a little cooler. Everything has been checked or replaced.....except the water pump. It's the original pump that came with the motor in 55, just wondering if there's a way to check flow or pressure. I mentioned in an earlier post that running the heater helps knock 10 degrees off the top but when it's 90 out the heater isn't cool....no pun intended. There were suggestions that might be the radiator, but it was spotless, the guy at the shop didn't even rod it out. Thanx, Gary

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

WOW! A 55 year old water pump. Have you looked into the radiator while engine is running to see water flow in top tank? If you have a heating problem you will get pressure from the hot water, not pump. Not sure about your previous post- what thermostat are you using. 180? 190? While your looking into top tank make sure there is not any air bubbles or this could mean head gasket is leaking. Other than that the radiator, thermostat and water pump take care of the cooling. Sounds like a water pump would be next in line to replace.

GOOD LUCK

Ol'ford nutCentral Iowa

56 Vic w/292 & 4 spd.

I've got a 160 napa #6 stat, the large mouth, got the large valves in the 272, duals, 465, auto, pertronix, it runs fantastic, just want to bring the temp down a little. Yesterday at 80 outside, I was running right around 200, acceptable to a degree, but it ain't hot out yet! Gary

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

Hi Gary,  When you say everything else checks out OK, have you had the heater core out and tested?  I had one in my '58 Ford that was full of crap and caused the car to run hot. Turning the heater fan on would reduce engine heat, but it was the reduced flow through the partially plugged heater core that caused the overheating. 

Larry D

Winnipeg, MB Canada Eh!


'57 Fairlane 500 Club Victoria

'58 Custom 300 Tudor

'56 Crown Victoria

'61 Starliner Z Code

'51 Ford Victoria

What is the condition of the radiator? Has it been out and back-flushed lately?

Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

no air bubbles in radiator, it's full but I can tell it has some flow, just don't know how much. The heater has an open/closed valve on the intake, its always closed and it should cool fine like that. It's also got a 4 blade fan. The radiator was tested, taken apart, looked at and put back together...it looked great, the pump is the only thing left and it's 55 years old.

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

Is that 200, at idle, in traffic, cruising? Has it always run that hot? Is it actually that hot, have you checked with a known accurate gauge or thermometer?





Lawrenceville, GA

thats cruising, if idling for an extended period it'll get hotter. Ran like this last year except when it was in the 90's it would be 210+, unless I flipped the heater on then it would drop down to around 200. It's got a 13 lb cap, and last fall I checked it with a gun and it was very close at the sending unit, a little hotter up by the stat.

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

Have you made sure that the stat is opening at 160?


Lawrenceville, GA

Think I would replace a waterpump that old on general principals. My suggestion would be an electric fan.