cooling system woes

redrider · 08-11-2002, 01:13 PM

I have an 88 GT with a Vortech T Trim 10 lb pulley and a 347 stroker. My problem is the stock radiator did not cool the beast in the Florida summer so I went with a 2 row aluminum radiator and a Milodon high flow water pump and a 180 thermostat. I though that would do it but the temp still goes to the 2/3 mark with the air on. In went a restrictor thermostat which is just like a big washer where the thermostat went. Still no luvk and the motor and supercharger are hot as hell. I see the fuid going through the radiator with the cap off but it doesn't seem to flow very fast. Is there a way to check the performance of the water pump?

Any other suggestions would be welcom

PKRWUD · 08-11-2002, 06:18 PM

Let me get this straight. You have a Mustang with a blown 347, and you don't have a quality temp gauge?

Wow.

You need to to verify the temp with something other than the factory gauge.

What kind of fan are you using? BTW, you would probably do better with a 192 t-stat. The way it is now, the water doesn't stay in the radiator long enough to get rid of much heat, so you defeat the purpose. Also, what is your ratio of coolant to water? Do you have an external tranny fluid cooler? You should.

Take care,
~Chris

LX5liter · 08-11-2002, 06:19 PM

You don't want to pump the water through the rad too fast, as it won't have sufficient time to cool down. Did you try the stock water pump with the aluminum rad? Maybe the Milodon (reverse rotation one, I assume) is cycling the fluid through too fast. What mixture of water/coolant are you running? Are you losing any coolant at all?

edit: sorry to repeat PKRWUD, he must have posted just before me.

redrider · 08-12-2002, 12:04 PM

It's possibel that the vortech supplied crank pulley is causing a bigger gap between it and the water pump pully. I have a stock water pump pully. Will that do? Also will a smaller restrictor diameter help to slow down the water flow?

PKRWUD · 08-12-2002, 01:06 PM

Your crankshaft pulley has to be a minimum of 30% bigger than the water pump pulley, otherwise, the water pump can't work properly.

08-11-2002, 01:13 PM	#1
redrider Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: seffner, Florida, usa Posts: 95	cooling system woes I have an 88 GT with a Vortech T Trim 10 lb pulley and a 347 stroker. My problem is the stock radiator did not cool the beast in the Florida summer so I went with a 2 row aluminum radiator and a Milodon high flow water pump and a 180 thermostat. I though that would do it but the temp still goes to the 2/3 mark with the air on. In went a restrictor thermostat which is just like a big washer where the thermostat went. Still no luvk and the motor and supercharger are hot as hell. I see the fuid going through the radiator with the cap off but it doesn't seem to flow very fast. Is there a way to check the performance of the water pump? Any other suggestions would be welcom __________________ 88 GT mass air conversion from 90lx, Cobra Intake(ported/polished lower),Edlebrock Aluminum Heads(ported/polished),38# injectors 70 mm BBK TB, 77mm Pro M, Coast High 347 SB, Wolverine custom cam, Vortech T Trim w power pipe(13lbs), fmu & boost retard, 255lb fuel pump (BBK off road H pipe, Dynomax cat back, alum driveshaft w safety loop, Konis,Southside Bars w chromemoly torque boxes,AOD w lentech valve body, B&M MegaShifter, 4.10 with True Track locker, SVO springs, subs, cross drilled rotors, Nitto Drag Radials,MSD A6, black magic fan etc.

08-11-2002, 06:18 PM	#2
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Let me get this straight. You have a Mustang with a blown 347, and you don't have a quality temp gauge? Wow. You need to to verify the temp with something other than the factory gauge. What kind of fan are you using? BTW, you would probably do better with a 192 t-stat. The way it is now, the water doesn't stay in the radiator long enough to get rid of much heat, so you defeat the purpose. Also, what is your ratio of coolant to water? Do you have an external tranny fluid cooler? You should. Take care, ~Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

08-11-2002, 06:19 PM	#3
LX5liter dude5l Join Date: May 2001 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada Posts: 603	You don't want to pump the water through the rad too fast, as it won't have sufficient time to cool down. Did you try the stock water pump with the aluminum rad? Maybe the Milodon (reverse rotation one, I assume) is cycling the fluid through too fast. What mixture of water/coolant are you running? Are you losing any coolant at all? edit: sorry to repeat PKRWUD, he must have posted just before me. __________________ Good luck! Brad R. 1992 L.X. 5.0 coupe MODS: A few little bolt ons New Best time ...11.60 @ 128 mph @ 2000+ ft altitude. Rice Haters Club member #39 Users rides #2542

08-12-2002, 12:04 PM	#4
redrider Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: seffner, Florida, usa Posts: 95	It's possibel that the vortech supplied crank pulley is causing a bigger gap between it and the water pump pully. I have a stock water pump pully. Will that do? Also will a smaller restrictor diameter help to slow down the water flow? __________________ 88 GT mass air conversion from 90lx, Cobra Intake(ported/polished lower),Edlebrock Aluminum Heads(ported/polished),38# injectors 70 mm BBK TB, 77mm Pro M, Coast High 347 SB, Wolverine custom cam, Vortech T Trim w power pipe(13lbs), fmu & boost retard, 255lb fuel pump (BBK off road H pipe, Dynomax cat back, alum driveshaft w safety loop, Konis,Southside Bars w chromemoly torque boxes,AOD w lentech valve body, B&M MegaShifter, 4.10 with True Track locker, SVO springs, subs, cross drilled rotors, Nitto Drag Radials,MSD A6, black magic fan etc.

08-12-2002, 01:06 PM	#5
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	Your crankshaft pulley has to be a minimum of 30% bigger than the water pump pulley, otherwise, the water pump can't work properly. __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

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