radiator cover

bert67 · 06-25-2003, 12:18 PM

Hi i have a 67 mustang with a 390 in it and i cant keep it cool!!....ive changed the thermostat...put that "40 below" radiator fluid in it ..and still nothing...i have a aluminum radiator that looks like it should do the job fine.....the only thing i can think of is that the guy that i bought it from put a cover on the back of it where the fan attaches so that the only thing airflow into it from the back is where the fan attaches..im thinking its cuasing lack of airflow or causing it to heat up....(im in florida)..what is the purpose of those covers and if i take it off will it help cool the engine??...need help quick!!...i wrecked my other car and now this is my daily driver!!...thanks for the time
sincerly,
jason

thunderbolt · 06-25-2003, 02:10 PM

I am a bit confused. Is the radiator completely covered or is this cover just a shrouding around the fan, in other words, will air flow when the fan is running? If it is completely covered, then I would think it is a problem. If it is a shroud to pull all the air through the fan, it should perform better than without the shroud.

When is it overheating, on the highway, or at stop lights?

Do you have an electric fan? If so, where does it come on? Maybe it dosen't come on soon enough? Do you have a clutch fan? Clutch could be bad and not engaging fully. That one is a $15 fix for a new clutch.

Has the motor been rebuilt recently? When the car warms up open the radiator cap (after the thermostat opens, but before it gets hot); Do you have good water flow at that point?

mustangII460 · 06-25-2003, 07:14 PM

Electric fan

If so, get rid of it and put a regular fan back on.

bert67 · 06-25-2003, 09:01 PM

Hey thunderbolt.......the cover is made outta aluminum and covers the whole back of the radiator..except where the fan goes in at ..... you have the fan and of course the fan shourd ...but other than that is all closed in (in the back)...it really over heats when im stopped somewhere for a period of time ...and i have a manual electric fan which i leave on the whole time im driving....and i havent touched the motor ...so no problems there....its only been overheating now that its summer.......well i appreciate the help ....hope that gave u some better insight....
sincerely
jason

mustangII460 · 06-25-2003, 09:40 PM

My head hurts after reading this...

Manual electric? whaaaa....?

Sleep,,,need sleep.

thunderbolt · 06-26-2003, 04:48 PM

Ok, here is what I am thinking. It is overheating when you are stopped but not when moving. Therefore, when it is moving, enough cooling air is making it through the radiator to keep the motor cool. It really sounds like your electric fan isn't pulling enough air. I know I was really surprised just how big an electric had to be to do the proper cooling job. I would find out what your fan cfm is and do some research on what you might need.

As for the cover, I would be inclined to remove it so long as you have a fan shroud. Watch the temp real close to see what it is doing when you do.

Where are you located? I have heard of blocking off part of the radiator in colder climates during the winter. Is that a possibility, I know you got the radiator from someone else?

Good luck with it. I know the frustrations of trying to keep something cool.

Rev · 06-26-2003, 06:19 PM

I interpret the "cover" to mean a fan shroud. Removing that will only hurt the fan function at low speeds. If indeed the cover is a fan shroud, I don't believe removing it will help higher speed cooling either.

Could be clogged a up radiator or heads that is the problem. In my experience, that is often the culprit when quick, easy fixes have no effect. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it is often true.

Rev

71grande · 06-26-2003, 09:22 PM

well earlier he stated that he had the fan shroud as well as an aluminum sheet covering the back. the way I understand it there is a sheet of AL flat across the back of the back of the rad with a hole cut out for the fan. if that is the case, there wont be any airflow across much of the rad only where the hole is cut.

I would recommend pulling the AL off, but LEAVE THE SHROUD ON! dont be like me and pull off the shroud to see why it is there. motors tend to get a bit hot when you do that.

Mike

mustangman65_79 · 06-28-2003, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 71grande
well earlier he stated that he had the fan shroud as well as an aluminum sheet covering the back. the way I understand it there is a sheet of AL flat across the back of the back of the rad with a hole cut out for the fan. if that is the case, there wont be any airflow across much of the rad only where the hole is cut.

I would recommend pulling the AL off, but LEAVE THE SHROUD ON! dont be like me and pull off the shroud to see why it is there. motors tend to get a bit hot when you do that.

Mike

I'm kinda lost too, but thats what I think he is trying to say too.

I'd also flush out the motor, it might be plugged up. Also, maybe your water pump isn't flowing enough water, maybe buying a new, performance one is in need.

06-25-2003, 12:18 PM	#1
bert67 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7	radiator cover Hi i have a 67 mustang with a 390 in it and i cant keep it cool!!....ive changed the thermostat...put that "40 below" radiator fluid in it ..and still nothing...i have a aluminum radiator that looks like it should do the job fine.....the only thing i can think of is that the guy that i bought it from put a cover on the back of it where the fan attaches so that the only thing airflow into it from the back is where the fan attaches..im thinking its cuasing lack of airflow or causing it to heat up....(im in florida)..what is the purpose of those covers and if i take it off will it help cool the engine??...need help quick!!...i wrecked my other car and now this is my daily driver!!...thanks for the time sincerly, jason

06-25-2003, 07:14 PM	#3
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Electric fan If so, get rid of it and put a regular fan back on. __________________ Frank

06-25-2003, 09:01 PM	#4
bert67 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 7	radiator cover Hey thunderbolt.......the cover is made outta aluminum and covers the whole back of the radiator..except where the fan goes in at ..... you have the fan and of course the fan shourd ...but other than that is all closed in (in the back)...it really over heats when im stopped somewhere for a period of time ...and i have a manual electric fan which i leave on the whole time im driving....and i havent touched the motor ...so no problems there....its only been overheating now that its summer.......well i appreciate the help ....hope that gave u some better insight.... sincerely jason

06-25-2003, 09:40 PM	#5
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	My head hurts after reading this... Manual electric? whaaaa....? Sleep,,,need sleep. __________________ Frank

06-26-2003, 06:19 PM	#7
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Cover? I interpret the "cover" to mean a fan shroud. Removing that will only hurt the fan function at low speeds. If indeed the cover is a fan shroud, I don't believe removing it will help higher speed cooling either. Could be clogged a up radiator or heads that is the problem. In my experience, that is often the culprit when quick, easy fixes have no effect. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it is often true. Rev __________________ '66 Coupe, 306, 350-375 HP, C-4, 13.07 e.t., 104.8 mph, 1/4 mi. O.B.C. #2 '66 coupe Last edited by Rev; 06-27-2003 at 05:09 PM..

06-25-2003, 02:10 PM	#2
thunderbolt Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 380	I am a bit confused. Is the radiator completely covered or is this cover just a shrouding around the fan, in other words, will air flow when the fan is running? If it is completely covered, then I would think it is a problem. If it is a shroud to pull all the air through the fan, it should perform better than without the shroud. When is it overheating, on the highway, or at stop lights? Do you have an electric fan? If so, where does it come on? Maybe it dosen't come on soon enough? Do you have a clutch fan? Clutch could be bad and not engaging fully. That one is a $15 fix for a new clutch. Has the motor been rebuilt recently? When the car warms up open the radiator cap (after the thermostat opens, but before it gets hot); Do you have good water flow at that point?

06-26-2003, 04:48 PM	#6
thunderbolt Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 380	Ok, here is what I am thinking. It is overheating when you are stopped but not when moving. Therefore, when it is moving, enough cooling air is making it through the radiator to keep the motor cool. It really sounds like your electric fan isn't pulling enough air. I know I was really surprised just how big an electric had to be to do the proper cooling job. I would find out what your fan cfm is and do some research on what you might need. As for the cover, I would be inclined to remove it so long as you have a fan shroud. Watch the temp real close to see what it is doing when you do. Where are you located? I have heard of blocking off part of the radiator in colder climates during the winter. Is that a possibility, I know you got the radiator from someone else? Good luck with it. I know the frustrations of trying to keep something cool.

06-26-2003, 09:22 PM	#8
71grande Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Clemente CA. Posts: 85	well earlier he stated that he had the fan shroud as well as an aluminum sheet covering the back. the way I understand it there is a sheet of AL flat across the back of the back of the rad with a hole cut out for the fan. if that is the case, there wont be any airflow across much of the rad only where the hole is cut. I would recommend pulling the AL off, but LEAVE THE SHROUD ON! dont be like me and pull off the shroud to see why it is there. motors tend to get a bit hot when you do that. Mike __________________ A great man once told me, "..." Well any way I guess that he wasn't that great. My garage: 1971 Mustang Grande, MSD6A, 625 Road Demon JR, Edelbrock Performer manifold, Hopes and Dreams... 1970 Norton 750 Commando 1993 Saturn SC2. The wifeys. fuzzy dice and all.