Professional radiator maintainance, anyone else have to do it?

Rev · 07-15-2000, 05:31 PM

Seems like every couple of years about this time of year, I have to remove my 4-row radiator from my '66. I take it to a radiator shop and have it "rodded out". This is because the top most orifices are all clogged up with junk from the cooling system. I know that the system is minimal for my engine (see sig), but this seems awfully frequent. Only costs $60.00 with me doing removal/reinstall. Just wondered if anyone else had to do this on weekend drivers?

Rev

------------------
'66 Coupe, 306, windage
tray, TRW flat tops, 351W
heads,pocket ported, 268
CC hydraulic cam, R tip
R's, Edelbrock Performer,
600 CFM Holley vac. secs.,
Mallory Unilite, coil, fuel
pump, Tri-Y headers, 2 1/2 "
custom pipes, 3 chamber
Flows, stock C-4, 3.25
Currie built 8" rear,
March under drive pulleys,
13.97 e.t., 100.1 mph
1/4 mi.

Gearhead999 · 07-16-2000, 09:40 AM

Are you running enough coolant in the car [50/50]????

What is clogging the radiatior??? What does the shop say about it??

Doesn't sound right to me. I have a '68 and don't have that problem.

Maybe you should knock out the freeze plugs and really flush out everything good and clean.

Let me know, I'm interested in results

------------------
Dave Pitt
68 FB, 289
Dual AFB's

Rev · 07-16-2000, 11:55 AM

I think when the engine was built 5 yrs/25000 mile ago, They just didn't flush out the block and heads well enough after the hot tank. The stuff in there is little pieces of rust/scale, possibly casting flash that's flaked off. Yes, I run plenty of coolant and change that every year. Is it possible to remove/install freeze plugs with the engine in the car? I've seen advertised a cooling system filter that splices into the upper radiator hose. Looks like a big in-line fuel filter. Anyone ever used these? Right now my radiator seems to be acting as a filter. Hopefully this radiator job will be the last for a while.

Rev

69fastback · 07-16-2000, 01:40 PM

i never really had any problems with my old copper radiator before i got the car put together i had it flushed and all that but there where no problems after that.
Now i have a aluminum one from giffin so i will see how that works out

------------------
69 428 cobra jet:bored .030, forged aluminum pistons, C & A rings, Engle cam, Edelbrock intake, 750 cmf carb, Hooker headers, March pullies, all ignition componets MSD, Holley 7psi fuel pump, Art Carr C-6, TCI torque converter, 4:30 gears, H pipe, subframe connectors, lift bars.

I aso have a stock 96 GT.

thunderbolt · 07-16-2000, 02:11 PM

That sounds a bit frequent. I would have the system flushed and then used distilled water with the antifreeze. I don't know where you are but here we have really hard water and so distilling the water will take the minerals out which I am convinced will keep the radiator cleaner.

Billgear · 07-16-2000, 05:25 PM

I think your talking about a Gano filter, this sounds like a good option for you. How
well does the 4 core cool your car? I'm wondering because I'm in the process of installing a new engine. The motor will be
build a little more then yours, just wondering if the 4 core is going to cut it!

Regards
Billgear www.289mustang.com

Rev · 07-16-2000, 07:05 PM

I also us an electric auxillary pusher fan in front of the radiator that I turn on for hot days. Also use a Flowkooler Al high flow water pump. When the radiator is not occluded, the system is adequate, even on hot days (runs 195-200 F).

Rev

Gearhead999 · 07-16-2000, 08:49 PM

With the starter down and maybe the crossmember out you should be able to knock most of the freezplugs out. I'm sure headers won't help though.

I haven't been under my 68 in a few months and don't remember. I do know that I can get the oil pan off pretty easy though, and that is a 7 1/2 gt. aluminum "T" pan. I'm sure you can get some of the plugs out.

The filter sounds like an OK idea. I don't know anyone using one yet. I'd be interested to hear the results.

My motor is .060 over with a pusher fan, when needed and A/C. Here in FL I run 200-210. No crap in the radiator though.

------------------
Dave Pitt
68 FB, 289
Dual AFB's

Stefan · 07-17-2000, 10:36 AM

A friend of mine has one of those Gano filters. He got it through Mustangs Unlimited and he hasn't had any problems since. I don't think they are that expensive (don't have the catalog in front of me) so it might be worth getting one just to see what it'll trap. At any rate, a little filtration is better than none. I don't believe it impeded any water flow either.

just addin' to the pot.

Stefan

------------------
66 Standard coupe
200 inline 6 - Pertronix ignition, Flamethrower Coil, K&N, Clifford Perf. 6 into 2 headers, Holley carb, three row radiator

96 GT Convertible
Splitfire plugs (they were free - don't laugh).
K&N, removed air silencer (more to come)
Next up: 3:73's and side exhaust
www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?258

07-15-2000, 05:31 PM	#1
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Professional radiator maintainance, anyone else have to do it? Seems like every couple of years about this time of year, I have to remove my 4-row radiator from my '66. I take it to a radiator shop and have it "rodded out". This is because the top most orifices are all clogged up with junk from the cooling system. I know that the system is minimal for my engine (see sig), but this seems awfully frequent. Only costs $60.00 with me doing removal/reinstall. Just wondered if anyone else had to do this on weekend drivers? Rev ------------------ '66 Coupe, 306, windage tray, TRW flat tops, 351W heads,pocket ported, 268 CC hydraulic cam, R tip R's, Edelbrock Performer, 600 CFM Holley vac. secs., Mallory Unilite, coil, fuel pump, Tri-Y headers, 2 1/2 " custom pipes, 3 chamber Flows, stock C-4, 3.25 Currie built 8" rear, March under drive pulleys, 13.97 e.t., 100.1 mph 1/4 mi.

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07-16-2000, 09:40 AM	#2
Gearhead999 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 992	Are you running enough coolant in the car [50/50]???? What is clogging the radiatior??? What does the shop say about it?? Doesn't sound right to me. I have a '68 and don't have that problem. Maybe you should knock out the freeze plugs and really flush out everything good and clean. Let me know, I'm interested in results ------------------ Dave Pitt 68 FB, 289 Dual AFB's

07-16-2000, 11:55 AM	#3
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	I think when the engine was built 5 yrs/25000 mile ago, They just didn't flush out the block and heads well enough after the hot tank. The stuff in there is little pieces of rust/scale, possibly casting flash that's flaked off. Yes, I run plenty of coolant and change that every year. Is it possible to remove/install freeze plugs with the engine in the car? I've seen advertised a cooling system filter that splices into the upper radiator hose. Looks like a big in-line fuel filter. Anyone ever used these? Right now my radiator seems to be acting as a filter. Hopefully this radiator job will be the last for a while. Rev

07-16-2000, 01:40 PM	#4
69fastback IRAQ VET Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: high desert California Posts: 1,480	i never really had any problems with my old copper radiator before i got the car put together i had it flushed and all that but there where no problems after that. Now i have a aluminum one from giffin so i will see how that works out ------------------ 69 428 cobra jet:bored .030, forged aluminum pistons, C & A rings, Engle cam, Edelbrock intake, 750 cmf carb, Hooker headers, March pullies, all ignition componets MSD, Holley 7psi fuel pump, Art Carr C-6, TCI torque converter, 4:30 gears, H pipe, subframe connectors, lift bars. I aso have a stock 96 GT.

07-16-2000, 02:11 PM	#5
thunderbolt Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 380	That sounds a bit frequent. I would have the system flushed and then used distilled water with the antifreeze. I don't know where you are but here we have really hard water and so distilling the water will take the minerals out which I am convinced will keep the radiator cleaner.

07-16-2000, 05:25 PM	#6
Billgear Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Concord,CA Posts: 86	I think your talking about a Gano filter, this sounds like a good option for you. How well does the 4 core cool your car? I'm wondering because I'm in the process of installing a new engine. The motor will be build a little more then yours, just wondering if the 4 core is going to cut it! Regards Billgear www.289mustang.com

07-16-2000, 07:05 PM	#7
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	I also us an electric auxillary pusher fan in front of the radiator that I turn on for hot days. Also use a Flowkooler Al high flow water pump. When the radiator is not occluded, the system is adequate, even on hot days (runs 195-200 F). Rev

07-16-2000, 08:49 PM	#8
Gearhead999 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 992	With the starter down and maybe the crossmember out you should be able to knock most of the freezplugs out. I'm sure headers won't help though. I haven't been under my 68 in a few months and don't remember. I do know that I can get the oil pan off pretty easy though, and that is a 7 1/2 gt. aluminum "T" pan. I'm sure you can get some of the plugs out. The filter sounds like an OK idea. I don't know anyone using one yet. I'd be interested to hear the results. My motor is .060 over with a pusher fan, when needed and A/C. Here in FL I run 200-210. No crap in the radiator though. ------------------ Dave Pitt 68 FB, 289 Dual AFB's

07-17-2000, 10:36 AM	#9
Stefan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Manhattan, KS 66502 Posts: 599	A friend of mine has one of those Gano filters. He got it through Mustangs Unlimited and he hasn't had any problems since. I don't think they are that expensive (don't have the catalog in front of me) so it might be worth getting one just to see what it'll trap. At any rate, a little filtration is better than none. I don't believe it impeded any water flow either. just addin' to the pot. Stefan ------------------ 66 Standard coupe 200 inline 6 - Pertronix ignition, Flamethrower Coil, K&N, Clifford Perf. 6 into 2 headers, Holley carb, three row radiator 96 GT Convertible Splitfire plugs (they were free - don't laugh). K&N, removed air silencer (more to come) Next up: 3:73's and side exhaust www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?258