When most people think of keeping a motor at operating temp they think only of a radiator and keeping coolant in said radiator. Well, I recently spent some time with boys over at Deuces Wild Hot Rods in Fillmore, California, where we were playing around with ways to keep their truck alive on the road and racetrack. Their so-called shop truck has been testing the limits of the Ford’s stock 390 FE oiling system.
If you’re not familiar with the truck, it was featured in the October 2010 issue (“The Evil Twin”). Since then, the truck has been modified to compete in autocross and various road course events around Southern California and Arizona while still being roadworthy. Except for the exterior performance items, the motor has completely stock internals.
Somehow we got on the topic of underhood temperatures and what could be done to make the engine more likely to last while racing and running around town. What we came up with to help might surprise some of you, but for others that have competed in drag racing, circle track, or off-road racing know that keeping the motor cool is a very good way to increase overall performance. So we turned to Hedman Hedders, Hamburger’s Performance Products, Trans Dapt, and Autolite for some parts that will get the motor to cool down. CT
