• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

overheating

barf75

Member
Local time
2:45 AM
Joined
Jul 25, 2016
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Location
houston
I have a 69 Road Runner with a 440 4 barrel. Not the original engine (383) but installed before I purchased the car. 406 HP with MSD ignition. Had a mechanic install power steering and A/C. Recently installed a 26" radiator with electric fan and shroud. Drained anti-freeze and put in water wetter and distilled water. Let car idle for about an hour and a 1/2 in hottest part of the day in Houston Tx. Very hot. Temp got to 200 and stopped. Turned A/C on and temp went to 220 before I got scared and cut it off. Does anybody have idea about someway to get temp down. Thanks
 
I have a 69 Road Runner with a 440 4 barrel. Not the original engine (383) but installed before I purchased the car. 406 HP with MSD ignition. Had a mechanic install power steering and A/C. Recently installed a 26" radiator with electric fan and shroud. Drained anti-freeze and put in water wetter and distilled water. Let car idle for about an hour and a 1/2 in hottest part of the day in Houston Tx. Very hot. Temp got to 200 and stopped. Turned A/C on and temp went to 220 before I got scared and cut it off. Does anybody have idea about someway to get temp down. Thanks
Is your electric fan a pusher type or puller type? What kind of radiator - aluminum or stock?
 
Get rid of the electric fans.go to an 18 inch fan,and shroud, with the fan 1/2in, 1/2 out of the shroud. Put a 180 thermostat in it with a 1/8 inch hole drilled in it to prevent air pockets.
 
Is your electric fan a pusher type or puller type? What kind of radiator - aluminum or stock?
I have a 69 Road Runner with a 440 4 barrel. Not the original engine (383) but installed before I purchased the car. 406 HP with MSD ignition. Had a mechanic install power steering and A/C. Recently installed a 26" radiator with electric fan and shroud. Drained anti-freeze and put in water wetter and distilled water. Let car idle for about an hour and a 1/2 in hottest part of the day in Houston Tx. Very hot. Temp got to 200 and stopped. Turned A/C on and temp went to 220 before I got scared and cut it off. Does anybody have idea about someway to get temp down. Thanks


Not sure of the thermostat. Fan is a puller and the radiator is aluminum.
 
Get rid of the electric fans.go to an 18 inch fan,and shroud, with the fan 1/2in, 1/2 out of the shroud. Put a 180 thermostat in it with a 1/8 inch hole drilled in it to prevent air pockets.
Second this. Solved my own 440's issues by going with a 3 core real brass factory type 26" radiator, shroud and the big-assed factory fan with clutch, 180 t-stat.
I've seen her hit 190 once or twice, going down the highway with outside temps in the md 90's; typically idles at 180F.
 
Emissivity of any metal is improved by black paint.
Look it up, doesn't matter if there are 10 layers of different colored paint on a home heating radiator, only the last layer.
If you want a steam heating radiator to put out more heat, you paint it black, if that room is too warm, you paint it silver!
Also agree with losing the electric fan and adding the honkin big thermo clutch.
 
Follow what was said above. The problem with electric fans is that the small shroud they have does not cover all of the radiator like a factory shroud does, basically the fan just sits there and creates turbulence but does not actually move any air through the radiator, unless you have the electric fan built into a shroud that covers the full surface of the radiator.
 
Emissivity of any metal is improved by black paint.
Look it up, doesn't matter if there are 10 layers of different colored paint on a home heating radiator, only the last layer.
If you want a steam heating radiator to put out more heat, you paint it black, if that room is too warm, you paint it silver!
Also agree with losing the electric fan and adding the honkin big thermo clutch.

But layers of paint do have a lower thermal conductivity than copper/brass or aluminum...paint on a radiator actually hurts your cooling and is only there for corrosion protection.
 
Follow what was said above. The problem with electric fans is that the small shroud they have does not cover all of the radiator like a factory shroud does, basically the fan just sits there and creates turbulence but does not actually move any air through the radiator, unless you have the electric fan built into a shroud that covers the full surface of the radiator.

I agree
 
loose the electric fan like everyone else said. I had a similar problem except without ac, I put the stock fan and shroud back on and problem gone. I also live in TX heat.
 
loose the electric fan like everyone else said. I had a similar problem except without ac, I put the stock fan and shroud back on and problem gone. I also live in TX heat.
Where is the best place to buy the shroud, radiator, and fan?
 
Where is the best place to buy the shroud, radiator, and fan? Thanks
 
Not sure about sourcing, but agree with the above. Ma Mopar knew how to cool these brutes. Copper 26", thermal clutch fan with shroud. 180 Stant Superstat and always use conventional green coolant.
 
I'm using a Champion aluminum radiator. Bolt in with no modifications,and the shroud fit too.
 
So how hot is too hot for a 440? I imagine 220 is getting up there for it. what happens it if continues to run at that temp?

Mik
 
I was running warm when I bought my car (200 on the highway). Replaced the 190 stat with a 180 and added a fan shroud . Still running the OEM 22" radiator and OEM fan. Now runs 180 - 190. 190 being on a 90+ day.

I got my shroud from Mega Parts, but it was for the OEM radiator. Not sure where to fit one for yours.
 
So how hot is too hot for a 440? I imagine 220 is getting up there for it. what happens it if continues to run at that temp?

Mik
I'd give up at 205. Mine used to get noisy and balk before it got figured out. Mostly the balk in traffic was annoying.
 
Balk? What do you mean by that? I figure the worst is blown head gasket

Mikey
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top