Overheating November 17, 2004, 02:36:27 PM After swapping in my 289 in place of the 3.8L I have been overheating like crazy! At first it would over heat in a few minutes because I forgot to put on the radiator shroud. I took care of that and it is much better. But my motor still runs very hot. I remember reading somewhere that the v-6 radiator is enough for a v-8. But is it really? It is just one core! Any ideas on what I can do to cool this v-8. I am already running a 180 deg thermostat which stays open almost all the time. The thing is that I havent driven this car since summer much so I have no idea how it is going to act in the cold, but I still need to fix this problem. Any ideas? Also, is there an aftermarket or mustang radiator that will bolt in ? Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #1 – November 17, 2004, 02:55:12 PM Did you use the 3.8 fan? Might be a reverse rotation fan ,maybe one of the 3.8 people will chime in. :) Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #2 – November 17, 2004, 03:02:45 PM I cannot believe a single core radiator will begin to keep a 289 or any V8 cool in hot weather. If its OK now that the weather is cooler its a plain case of not enough radiator. Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #3 – November 17, 2004, 04:56:39 PM Nahh, I have a flexalite fan on there. I agree that it doesnt seem that a single core radiator would cool the car at all. Did the xr-7's come with a 2 core? Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #4 – November 17, 2004, 04:58:59 PM what waterpump are you running? what pulley setup is on the car? gotta remember, up untill i think 72ish, ford smallblocks had a standard rotation water pump, and from that year on, they started using a reverse rotation water pump, so theres the possibility that youre using the wrong pump/pulley/fan combination Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #5 – November 17, 2004, 05:15:14 PM The water pump is the type from an 88 xr-7, with a v-belt setup from a 75 Stang. The system has plenty of pressure, I am pretty sure it is the radiator, I just need to find a cheaper new one or a donor car. Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #6 – November 17, 2004, 06:26:36 PM The 3.8's stock radiator is a 2 core. Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #7 – November 17, 2004, 06:32:22 PM Quote from: 88catThe 3.8's stock radiator is a 2 core.Yea thats what i was thinkin'...If you have as single core, it probably originated in a 4 cyl Stang. Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #8 – November 17, 2004, 07:28:43 PM i think its most likely the waterpump and/or fan spinning the wrong direction Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #9 – November 17, 2004, 07:48:41 PM one core my V6 cougar has a 3 core radiator and keep temp in the half Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #10 – November 18, 2004, 08:54:43 AM I am suprized that the v-6 radiator is a 2 core considering how darn thin the thing is! Either way, I think I remember using an 88 xr-7 water pump because I knew the hoses would match up nicely. Is that a reverse rotation pump? Right now I am using v-belts instead of serpentine so that would be a problem. Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #11 – November 18, 2004, 09:04:36 AM QuoteIs that a reverse rotation pump? Right now I am using v-belts instead of serpentine so that would be a problem. Bingo!!!! :ies: Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #12 – November 18, 2004, 04:42:37 PM 88 xr7 would be reverse rotation you probly have very poor water flow. Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #13 – November 18, 2004, 11:10:54 PM Quote from: 289CougarNahh, I have a flexalite fan on there. I agree that it doesnt seem that a single core radiator would cool the car at all. Did the xr-7's come with a 2 core?3 core Quote Selected
Re: Overheating Reply #14 – November 20, 2004, 10:20:16 PM i was having over heating problems in my 88 ls 3.8,pute a new radiator from advance auto in no more problems, i believe i paid around $80 for it Quote Selected
,maybe one of the 3.8 people will chime in. :)
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