Over Heating Problems

[Kevin71]

I have a 440 with a new Vintage air.  Installed a allumnium 26" radiator.  Overheats when running down the road.  So I ordered in a shroud and I reinstalled a 7 blade mopar fan with the temp sensor on it.  The fan is 20" across in diameter and the shroud is 20 1/2".  A 1/4" does not appear to be enough slack room.  So far haven't been able to get the shroud in.  Would I be better off with a be cool 28" radiator with electric fans.  I am puzzeled over what to do.  Should I get a 6 bladed fan.

[mopar12372]

ok is this aluminum radiator a recent install, if so did you bleed the cooling system? did you check to see if the water pump is flowing coolant ? is the radiator cap good? is your cooling system holding any pressure ? are any of the cooling hoses getting sucked together? did you replace the thermastat? what size radiator did you buy? what is your timming set at?

the cooling fan should be 18in from tip to tip the shroud should be 22 or 26 depending on wich radiator you bought . the shroud and clutch type fan will work fine ? i would stay away from the electric fan setups because your electrical system cant keep up with the bemand of the fan and run the engine /electronics too . if your electrical system isnt stock and you at least have 80amps and a 900 amp battery youll be ok . myop i dont like electronic fans on my muscle cars that just me . they draw down the electrical system wich effects the ignition /lighting system ect . Bill

[Kevin71]

Radiator is a new install.  It is a 26" two row aluminmum.  I had a flex fan on it, but when I bought the car there was a 7 blade mopar fan.  It measures 20" across it.  I ordered a shroud and it's got a 20 1/2 inch opening.  How do you bleed the cooling system.  Put a new 180 degree theromstate in and checked in a pot of boiling water with a thermometer.  It looks like the water is moving thru the radiator when it heats up and the cap is off.  Should it be flowing real fast or just moving?

[Kevin71]

I am not sure what the timing is set at.  I took it to shop that put it on a dyno machine and had them adjust it and the carb.  What should it be set at.

[miketyler]

I just installed a BeCool in my car. The documentation stated if you run hot at idle or low speeds, its an air flow problem. If you run hot at speed its a waterflow problem.

Optimal placement of the fan within the shroud is about half blade width in. Only 1/4 clearance does seem close.

Although my car still ran hot at low speeds with their aluminum unit, their information was correct. I put a pusher fan on it it looks to have solved the problem. <fingers crossed> 

[Bullitt-]

What do you define as overheating?
Does it only do this with the A/C turned on?
Was there a problem before adding A/C?
Were there any other changes made congruent with adding A/C & new radiator?
Does the temperature cool down when no longer at highway speed?
 

[71chmark]

Is it one of those crossflow radiators?  I bought one of those from Summit and it wouldn't keep my engine cool.  I bought a Champion trhree row for a little over 200 bucks.  The stock shroud fit perfect and I installed a clutch fan from Mancini.  The radiator was twisted a little but straightened when I bolted it in.  Works great.

[miketyler]

No hijack intended, yes it was one of the cross flow universal fit units. You had a Champion cool better than the Be Cool? Was the Champion downflow or cross flow?

[Kevin71]

It over heats at low speed with AC on.  Got up to 220 degrees at a red light.  So I turned on the heater which brought it down to 210 until I could get it moving.  But going down the road at 55 it was running 200 to 210 with no ac on.  Also the fan I have is to big now.  I put on the old fan blade that came with the car.  Its a metal blade with the clucth but it's hitting the top radiator hose.  It measures 20" across.  What size fan goes on a 440?  18" or 19".

[Chryco Psycho]

18 " is a normal fan size for a 440
 A shroud would really help to pull more air through 

[Aloid]

Replacing the 20" fan is easy and not expensive.  You can probably buy an 18" fan locally.  Found mine at Autozone.

Good luck, I'm going through the same process... it WILL get better, just be methodical and do what these guys suggest.  Mine's really close!

Alan

[Chryco Psycho]

the Flex-a-lite 5718 can be used to replace the 20" fan

[mopar12372]

 if you havent replaced  or checked the thermostat i would . depending on the weather in your area i would run a 190 in somewhat cold areas 180 in desert areas , all depends on where you live , myop i like the 180 for desert areas lots of traffic and idle time / stock style radiator. 190 deg eng temp  is where you engine makes the hp.

no pun intended but , why do people remove the fan shroud or try to run with out ? funny i run into this all the time when i goto shows . big aluminum rad BIG electric fans anlong with the car overheating .(all expensive parts installed and looking great BUT) put the ugly shroud and clutch fan and 2 row 26in rad and everything goes back to normal .

[Kevin71]

Would a 17" seven blade fan work.  Does the more blades cool better?  When I get a smaller fan I am going to put the shroud on.

[71chmark]

No hijack intended, yes it was one of the cross flow universal fit units. You had a Champion cool better than the Be Cool? Was the Champion downflow or cross flow?

Not better than a becool.  I had a crossflow universal.  The Champion is a downflow that looks similar to stock.