Overheating issues in hot weather

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Ajdelrio, Jul 10, 2018.

  1. Ajdelrio

    Ajdelrio Member

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    Stock 70 mav I6 200, New water pump, 160 thermostat, Chinese ebay aluminum radiator, stant rad cap, overflow tank, stock fan w/o shroud, no AC, timing set to factory specs.

    The car is a daily driver, 30 miles to and from work, usually around 70 mph on the freeway. The car usually runs a constant 160 degrees.

    last few days the weather has been is the 100-110 range and the car started overheating on the open freeway. The car seems to slowly cool down once I jump off the freeway and hit surface streets. It also drops to 160 if I spray the rad w/water

    Not sure if this is the norm for an older maverick or if I can do anything to help keep it running cooler.
     
  2. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

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    Are you running 50/50 anti-freeze mix? What do you consider overheating? Is it boiling over? I think the shroud will make a difference w/ heating issue.
     
  3. Ajdelrio

    Ajdelrio Member

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    yes 50/50 mix, gets up to about 230, has gone as high as 250 with water spewing out of the cap
     
  4. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

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    I have a '70 - 200 with stock radiator and it runs fine in the heat of summer.
    Barring some heavy scale or blockage inside the engine, my guess is the ebay radiator not transferring heat very well.

    Here is a great read on the often hyped aluminum radiators out there.
    http://www.speedcooling.com/3_Row_Versus_4_Row_Comparison.html
     
  5. Crazy Larry

    Crazy Larry Member

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    Did you put the thermostat in backwards? I did that once when I was a kid.
     
  6. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

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    Yea, that's hot. Have you checked lower rad hose too see if it may be collapsing? If so, that may be the cause. Lower should have a spring to keep from collapsing.
     
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  7. Ajdelrio

    Ajdelrio Member

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    Haven't checked the hose yet, it is fairly new though, has that metal spring in it
     
  8. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Three words... Shroud, Shroud, Shroud.
     
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  9. Ajdelrio

    Ajdelrio Member

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    Yes thats where I'm probably going with this, along with a new flex fan
     
  10. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    no flex fan...:tsk:
     
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  11. Ajdelrio

    Ajdelrio Member

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    Any recommendations on the fan...?
     
  12. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    about any E-fan should cool that 200...
     
  13. jasonwthompson

    jasonwthompson Member

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    Keep the stock fan, a flex fan is a waste of money, and if you get one for free, it is a waste of time to put it on.
     
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  14. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    did we get this thing cooled down?
     
  15. COMETIZED

    COMETIZED Member

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    Don't go with a ' Flex-Fax ' they are DANGEROUS .. and are prone to come apart with the airborne blades
    and do terrible things. I lost a friend here in Florida when he was revving the engine of his 302 with the hood
    up .. the fan disintegrated and one of the blades hit him in the neck severing his jugular vein .. He bled out before
    he could receive aid and was gone within minutes. His wife still has their Grabber and we still keep in touch..
    Not a ' war story' .. this really did happen and I advise you to get a fan OTHER THAN a flex !! A shroud and a
    good Electric Fan is a great option and will really aid the cooling of the engine. Just my take on the fan .
    Cometized
    (Chip)
     

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