New radiator ??

Mustang_289 · 08-22-2002, 01:08 PM

Having some overheating problems on our 88GT - have installed new Stewart high-flow waterpump, new 180degree stat, new hoses. We do have underdrive pullies on the car.

We might need to put in a new radiator -as this is the original. Any thoughts on what else to check before I go with new radiator? I've been looking at the Fluidyne radiators - are these things really worth the $370 - vs a stock radiator? The goal of the car is to fix our stang up as a weekend warrior with hp.

91GTturbo · 08-22-2002, 04:34 PM

Have you done a compression check to verify you haven't blown a headgasket? How about pressure testing the cooling system to make sure you don't have a leak? Are you losing any coolant?

As far as the radiator, unless your running a power adder, any good 3 core radiator will do. You can pick one up from Pep Boys, Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, or similar places for $100-$150. Those radiators are going to be brass, if your really dead set on a aluminum, try a Ron Davis. They sell for about $230-$270 in alot of the mustang mags. I run one in my car and it's made a big difference.

Mustang_289 · 08-22-2002, 05:32 PM

Haven't done a compression check to see if we've got a blown head gasket. I have looked at the oil - and it's not milky though. We did do a compression check on the radiator and no lose of coolant.

It's in the plans to run a power adder - might not be till next year. Are the Ron Davis radiators exact fit? I've got a flex-a-lite Black Magic fan on the car as well.

91GTturbo · 08-22-2002, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mustang_289
Haven't done a compression check to see if we've got a blown head gasket. I have looked at the oil - and it's not milky though. We did do a compression check on the radiator and no lose of coolant.

It's in the plans to run a power adder - might not be till next year. Are the Ron Davis radiators exact fit? I've got a flex-a-lite Black Magic fan on the car as well.

I've blown a headgasket two times and had no coolant in the oil either time. The gasket blew to the outside and was just losing coolant and causing it to overheat. And yes the Ron Davis was an exact fit. The only thing I had to do was drill a couple of holes at the very top of the radiator to attach the factory shroud.

Mustang_289 · 08-23-2002, 06:32 AM

Thanx for the help - we'll run compression checks this weekend and see where it goes.

On one hand - if it's a head gasket - my son has said while we've got the heads off we might as well start the motor upgrade with different heads, intake and cam. Oh yeah - convert to MAF the same time.

Mustang_289 · 08-25-2002, 07:12 PM

Ran the compression check, here's what we got:

150 135
145 130
145 125
135 135
Front

Ran a wet test on the lower side - no change.. I'm not an expert on this - but I would guess these numbers on the drivers side are alright?

08-22-2002, 01:08 PM	#1
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	New radiator ?? Having some overheating problems on our 88GT - have installed new Stewart high-flow waterpump, new 180degree stat, new hoses. We do have underdrive pullies on the car. We might need to put in a new radiator -as this is the original. Any thoughts on what else to check before I go with new radiator? I've been looking at the Fluidyne radiators - are these things really worth the $370 - vs a stock radiator? The goal of the car is to fix our stang up as a weekend warrior with hp.

08-22-2002, 04:34 PM	#2
91GTturbo Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Valdese, NC Posts: 361	Have you done a compression check to verify you haven't blown a headgasket? How about pressure testing the cooling system to make sure you don't have a leak? Are you losing any coolant? As far as the radiator, unless your running a power adder, any good 3 core radiator will do. You can pick one up from Pep Boys, Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, or similar places for $100-$150. Those radiators are going to be brass, if your really dead set on a aluminum, try a Ron Davis. They sell for about $230-$270 in alot of the mustang mags. I run one in my car and it's made a big difference. __________________ 91 single turbo vert

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08-22-2002, 05:32 PM	#3
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	Haven't done a compression check to see if we've got a blown head gasket. I have looked at the oil - and it's not milky though. We did do a compression check on the radiator and no lose of coolant. It's in the plans to run a power adder - might not be till next year. Are the Ron Davis radiators exact fit? I've got a flex-a-lite Black Magic fan on the car as well.

08-23-2002, 06:32 AM	#5
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	Thanx for the help - we'll run compression checks this weekend and see where it goes. On one hand - if it's a head gasket - my son has said while we've got the heads off we might as well start the motor upgrade with different heads, intake and cam. Oh yeah - convert to MAF the same time.

08-25-2002, 07:12 PM	#6
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	Ran the compression check, here's what we got: 150 135 145 130 145 125 135 135 Front Ran a wet test on the lower side - no change.. I'm not an expert on this - but I would guess these numbers on the drivers side are alright?