Need Tech Help: Overheating 95 Cobra

[Brant]

Hi All....

I've got a bone-stock 1995 Cobra with 13,000 miles on it.

Over the years I've noticed a cooling problem with the car, but not being a tech-head myself, I haven't a clue as to what the problem is. I'm hoping someone here can give me some informed advice before I turn the dealer loose on the car.

During even moderately warm days (~70's) when the tempature of the car will rise....in stop and go traffic it doesn't take long for the engine to heat up. When the tempature guage goes past center, I can hear the fan click on.

However....at that point I will get such a noticible decrease in horsepower that its something that just *cannot* be considered normal. I mean put the car into gear and get it rolling (I've stalled it a couple of times even giving it liberal throttle) and putting my *foot to the floor* will result in the car going....nowhere.

Its as though the motor is completely retarding the fuel supply. It also means that it takes several full seconds to get the car up to speed enough to shift out of 1st and into 2nd.

The key here however is that there is no "Power" at all when I'm doing this. I actually FEAR the day I am on an incline stopped with the heating "low power" condition happening.

I do notice the whine of the fuel-pump when I turn the car over, but nothing else unusual.

When the car gets going...say 2nd gear around 2500RPM or so, all of a sudden I'll feel the power "kick back in"...ie: and usually its not a smooth transition......this is going to sound silly but:

<vrrrrrroooooooommmm><VROOM><VRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOM>
and then I'm off like normal WOT would be 3000rpm, 3500, etc.

The problem is that from a dead stop it takes awhile to get going, and merging into traffic on a hot summers day can get one killed if their mustang is poking up the onramp trying to merge.

I am going to take the car to the dealer near me within the next few weeks as the weather here in CT is starting to heat up a bit. I'm telling him "Turn it over, let it idle till it heats up, then take it for a spin"...hopefully they'll see what I mean.

Obviously this problem has never occurred with any of my other cars......none of my other cars have that much heat fluctuation as this mustang does....

So....anyone....does this ring a bell? Something I should tell the dealer/tech to consider when I bring it in? Thanks everyone.

NOte: Please see my other posting on this board regarding mods.
Thanks again!