Question Hi Dick.
I changed the thermostat ,and checked the water pump it looks OK.
I got the rad rodded out but it sprung a leak in the process.Luckily I found a replacement in great shape.
Instead of the water temp indicator gauge burying the needle at over 250,it holds steady at 225.
I got a shroud,but it will have to be cut to fit.
It is a solid circular hoop about a foot in height when laid flat.It looks like it totally envelops the fan forcing it to suck air more directly through the rad.
*How do you think I should cut it?
I was thinking cutting it in half which would make it easier to drop behind the rad.Can you think of a better way?
Also,the exhaust is rusty and old-I think its original.The vehicle sat out in a field for years.
*Would this have an effect on overheating?
Its not that noisy but you can smell a bit of exhaust inside the car.
*Also,how should I set the sliding heater controls on the dash to minimize overheating?
Thanks!
AnswerHi again, Barry;
I'm glad you are making progress!
If you have the right shroud for the car, you shouldn't need to cut it at all. You do have to remove the radiator to install it - you slip it back over the fan toward the engine, let it hang there while you re-install the radiator, then you can attach the shroud to the bolt holes in the radiator support. If the shroud you have is not the right one for the car, you'll have to figure out how to make it fit. All that is important is that it be secure enough that it won't hit the fan on every bump, and prevent air from escaping around the radiator rather than through it.
An exhaust restriction will make a car run hotter, but if it is that restricted it will also cut the power quite a bit. However, if you are smelling exhaust inside the car, you've got a serious problem there - get it fixed before you fall asleep driving it and hit something! You need to get the exhaust fixed and make sure there are no holes in the floor of the car, even back in the trunk - that smell should not be getting in the car! Make sure that the exhaust pipe goes all the way past the back bumper, and that the end of it is turned down, so as to throw the fumes down toward the road - that will keep them from finding their way back into the car. There is always a vacuum behind a moving car - so if there is any chance at all of the exhaust finding a bad weatherstrip in the trunk, or a tiny hole somewhere, you will get gassed! Until you get it fixed, always drive with the front air vents open - to keep fresh air coming in. Thank your stars it's summertime!
The heater controls have very little to do with the engine's temperature. I suppose there is a small effect if you turn the heater on high, it will take some heat out of the system, but if it is running at 225 and you have at least 30% anti-freeze in the system, and your cooling system holds 14 PSI pressure, 225 is OK. I'd rather see around 200, but do you know your gauge is accurate? If not, buy a "candy thermometer" at your local supermarket housewares department, and stick it in the top of the radiator, then get the car hot enough so that the water starts circulating (above the thermostat rating) and see what your dash gauge reads, then see what the thermometer reads - now you know how accurate your gauge is. They are usually pretty far off - your 225 could easily be 200, for instance.
Good luck!
Dick
