My '60 Fairlane is having trouble keeping cool with the a/c on, even (especially) at highway speeds. It does not overheat but the temp moves into the higher third of the 'normal' bar where it is normally in the lower third. It will also puke coolant from the surge tank if it isn't allowed to cool off a bit before killing the engine.
It has the stock 223 cooling system (original radiator, 4-blade fan). It has no trouble keeping cool with a/c off even in the high heat of summer here in NC, though the temp will creep up at idle or low speed operation. The car has under dash a/c added on with a sanden compressor and vintage ford evaporator. The compressor is driven by the water pump pulley rather than by the crank pulley--the water pump is dual sheave while the crank is single. The addition of the dual sheave pulley meant the fan was moved 0.25" closer to the radiator, but it is still unshrouded.
I am wondering whether I need more airflow or more cooling capacity or both. I know usually the factory a/c cars get a beefier radiator, a 5-blade fan, and perhaps a beefier generator as well. I am thinking the radiator is the weak link because the highest temps are attained on the highway.
Replacement radiators are scarce; maybe I just need to find a v8 radiator? What do you think?
It has the stock 223 cooling system (original radiator, 4-blade fan). It has no trouble keeping cool with a/c off even in the high heat of summer here in NC, though the temp will creep up at idle or low speed operation. The car has under dash a/c added on with a sanden compressor and vintage ford evaporator. The compressor is driven by the water pump pulley rather than by the crank pulley--the water pump is dual sheave while the crank is single. The addition of the dual sheave pulley meant the fan was moved 0.25" closer to the radiator, but it is still unshrouded.
I am wondering whether I need more airflow or more cooling capacity or both. I know usually the factory a/c cars get a beefier radiator, a 5-blade fan, and perhaps a beefier generator as well. I am thinking the radiator is the weak link because the highest temps are attained on the highway.
Replacement radiators are scarce; maybe I just need to find a v8 radiator? What do you think?