It's 105 degrees in texas... aluminum radiator?

93GTDIN · 07-23-2002, 04:03 PM

and my car is overheating. It doesnt usually (usually sits at around 190-210. Today it went all the way up to 240. I dont think anything is wrong, because it heated up very slowly as I sat in traffic for 20 minutes. What steps can I take to really help my car keep cooler? Is an alluminum radiator worth it? Testimonials anyone?

89 Cobra LX · 07-23-2002, 04:05 PM

Are you running an electric fan? If not, check your fan clutch. You may not be pulling any air through the radiator at stops.

RPM427 · 07-23-2002, 04:09 PM

I have a fluidyne rad and it works great. My car was running around 210 with the stock rad and now Its running at 140 when I'm driving. I think I need to swtich to a 180 thermostat instead of the 160 I have in there.

Mr 5 0 · 07-23-2002, 04:52 PM

If it heated up slowly while in traffic than you probably need a new clutch/fan.

They only work at idle and low rpm's so if the clutch fluid has leaked and it's running sluggish you'll slowly heat up while sitting in traffic on a real hot day.

Other items to consider:

A 20/80 water/antifreeze mix is recommended and of course a check of the entire cooling system may be in order. Replace the radiator cap if it's more than a few years old and do a flush and refill if you haven't done so recently.

Mach 1 · 07-23-2002, 06:40 PM

Mr 50, it looks like your recommending a mix of 80% antifreeze, and 20% water. I think you mean the other way around. Just wanted to clear any potential confusion.

Mach 1 · 07-23-2002, 06:45 PM

oh, and aluminum radiators rock. I would strongly recommend one if living in Texas.

93GTDIN · 07-25-2002, 10:30 AM

Has anybody heard of adapting one of those used nascar alluminum radiators they sell for 150 bucks?

Topless In Texas · 07-26-2002, 12:28 AM

"Live music capital of the world"....Lemme guess, you live in AUSTIN??????????????? (I hope I'm not wrong!)
I dont have any advice, but its been HOTTER THAN HELL here the last week! I know that for 3 days straight, I saw 101* on my PC Weatherbug Temp! And humidity is horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel for ya! Hope you figure it out! Good luck from one sweaty Texan to another!!

TNT

jerrys84 · 07-26-2002, 08:07 AM

just went through a similar problem a few weeks ago...

Summit sells Griffin aluminum rad for $180+... i also installed a 16" electric fan, and a 180 high flo stat, I noticed the biggest change with the stat..

it still runs up to 190+ while sitting for a long while in traffic, but running down the road or cruising in town it runs about 178-185.

good luck

i'd probly try a new fan first....

07-23-2002, 04:03 PM	#1
93GTDIN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Live music capital of the world, TX Posts: 324	It's 105 degrees in texas... aluminum radiator? and my car is overheating. It doesnt usually (usually sits at around 190-210. Today it went all the way up to 240. I dont think anything is wrong, because it heated up very slowly as I sat in traffic for 20 minutes. What steps can I take to really help my car keep cooler? Is an alluminum radiator worth it? Testimonials anyone? __________________ 96 Cobra - a bit too stock. 14.0 @ 101

07-23-2002, 04:05 PM	#2
89 Cobra LX Don Corlione Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Omaha NE USA Posts: 491	Are you running an electric fan? If not, check your fan clutch. You may not be pulling any air through the radiator at stops. __________________ Eric - 89 Mustang LX coupe 5 speed 302-Cobra Intake-GT40p heads-TFS stage 1 cam-FRPP 1.6 roller rockers-3:73 gears-KYB shocks and struts-Eibach Pro-kit-HPM Mega-bite upper and lower control arms-FRPP aluminum driveshaft-16x8 Chrome Cobra Rs R.H.C. #14

07-23-2002, 04:09 PM	#3
RPM427 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 573	I have a fluidyne rad and it works great. My car was running around 210 with the stock rad and now Its running at 140 when I'm driving. I think I need to swtich to a 180 thermostat instead of the 160 I have in there. __________________ -1993 Mustang, 900rwhp 03-04 cobra based 4v swap, full Griggs setup, project underway -1994 Ranger w/ 427cid windsor (daily beater) check it out!

07-23-2002, 04:52 PM	#4
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Hot under the hood If it heated up slowly while in traffic than you probably need a new clutch/fan. They only work at idle and low rpm's so if the clutch fluid has leaked and it's running sluggish you'll slowly heat up while sitting in traffic on a real hot day. Other items to consider: A 20/80 water/antifreeze mix is recommended and of course a check of the entire cooling system may be in order. Replace the radiator cap if it's more than a few years old and do a flush and refill if you haven't done so recently.

07-23-2002, 06:40 PM	#5
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	Mr 50, it looks like your recommending a mix of 80% antifreeze, and 20% water. I think you mean the other way around. Just wanted to clear any potential confusion. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

07-23-2002, 06:45 PM	#6
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	oh, and aluminum radiators rock. I would strongly recommend one if living in Texas. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

07-25-2002, 10:30 AM	#7
93GTDIN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Live music capital of the world, TX Posts: 324	Has anybody heard of adapting one of those used nascar alluminum radiators they sell for 150 bucks? __________________ 96 Cobra - a bit too stock. 14.0 @ 101

07-26-2002, 12:28 AM	#8
Topless In Texas Not broken anymore! Join Date: May 2001 Location: La Porte, TEXASS :) Posts: 1,963	ITS *** HOT HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Live music capital of the world"....Lemme guess, you live in AUSTIN??????????????? (I hope I'm not wrong!) I dont have any advice, but its been HOTTER THAN HELL here the last week! I know that for 3 days straight, I saw 101* on my PC Weatherbug Temp! And humidity is horrible!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel for ya! Hope you figure it out! Good luck from one sweaty Texan to another!! TNT __________________ R.I.P. my Kinde..Jan. 19,1992-Aug. 22, 2003. Shes Cruisin' doggie heaven in a Blown Verte or a GTO!!! 2005 ROUSH GT Verte SuperStallions of the Net Feature, May 2002 RICE HATERS CLUB MEMBER #38!! O.B.C #5..thank you!! I feel so priveledged!! BONE STOCK~ Hell, its a ROUSH!

07-26-2002, 08:07 AM	#9
jerrys84 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: minnesota Posts: 129	just went through a similar problem a few weeks ago... Summit sells Griffin aluminum rad for $180+... i also installed a 16" electric fan, and a 180 high flo stat, I noticed the biggest change with the stat.. it still runs up to 190+ while sitting for a long while in traffic, but running down the road or cruising in town it runs about 178-185. good luck i'd probly try a new fan first.... __________________ 91 LX 'work in progress' previous stangs; lightly modded 84GT 81 2.3 converted to 302 auto

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