66 mustang 200 radiator cooling

[bigcatchdaniel555]

ok i feel a little weird asking all these questions but im just getting into cars and im knida stumped on this one. I have a 66 mustang with the 200 i know when these cars came from the factory they only had a 2 row radiator which was fine up north. However i am in south florida and it doesnt get below 80 degrees. When i go for long drives or get on the highway the temp gauge gets to about the 3/4 mark. The engine is rebuilt and my grandfather bought the car new and said it always ran hot in the florida sun. My question how can i cool it down the radiator is only a year old so i want to refrain from spending $200 i know NPD sells and oil cooler for 70 bucks does anyone think this will take the temp down to a normal operating range.

 

[matt1967]

as long as the motor isn't boiling over, it's not overheating. I wouldn't worry.

 

[66 Fastback]

Agree. The temp indicator is not particularly accurate or calibrated and gives a possible qualitative assessment of the coolant temp. It is just a step above an idiot light as to the information it conveys.

Basically, the gauge may be wrong. Where between the "C" and "H" does it go from "normal" to "watch out" she's gonna blow?
Doug

 

[fordconvert]

Find someone with one of those laser temp gauges or sneak a candy thermometer out of the kitchen and find out what the temp actually is. Does your car have AC? If not finding the shroud and stuff from an AC car may help a bit. Is it better or worse city vs highway? Sunny day vs. night? Auto or manual? I have heard that if your auto trans is falling apart it can add temp to the coolant but you will find out the answer to that fairly soon if thats it.

My Cadillac runs around around 235 most of the time, I think the block is full of crap but it has never boiled over in 9 years and several thousand miles..... vapor lock yes, fuel boiling out of the carb when its shut down yes, but it has never boiled over.

 

[xzerokidx]

Like everyone else said, Find out the actual temps and not the gauge.
The stock temp gauge is way off from the mechanical temp gauge I installed.

I drive everyday in south florida weather, driving on 95 the temp will climb to 200 but for the most part it stays at 190 through traffic unless I am sitting for too lon but even then it only goes to 200-210 so im not worried

 

[falcon fanatic]

you could also try running synthetic oil, that's always worth a few degrees. I've heard redline water wetter works pretty well, too. The shroud idea is also a good one, or you could consider converting to an electric fan which would also free up a little power.

 

[Anonymous]

if it becomes more of a worry...have your radiator flushed

there is a LOT of crap in it I bet

 

[matt1967]

I have heard that if your auto trans is falling apart it can add temp to the coolant but you will find out the answer to that fairly soon if thats it.

This is very true, my dad had a Plymouth Fury 383/ Auto at 1 time, the trans wen't bad so he put a 'questionable' 1 in, that he got cheap, after that the engine always ran hotter.