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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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)