Hey guys,

So i bought a 91' RS with a 350 a month and a half ago, and have been since working on it, covering it in performance parts, and getting the tranny rebuilt.
Now that its driving, i've been having some overheating issues.

And by some overheating issues i mean overheating after about 15 minutes of driving, with the temp gauge steadily climbing...and quite fast.

Its got the stock radiator in it, as well as a single 14" sucking (air through the rad towards the engine) fan on the center of the radiator. Kinda seems silly to me, and like there isn't enough action going on the radiator.
I installed a flex fan on the engine in hopes it would help (since i had one laying around) but that did very little.
I plan on pulling the condenser tomorrow, but other than that, what would you guys suggest to keep this thing cool?
Links would be appreciated to!

thanks for your help!

 

Oh and i should add i'm kinda on a tight budget.

Thanks
-A

 

What is the temp its running?

My 84 305 HO runs 220 and up with the fans on and a/c off.

 

That will help allot, don't do anything else till that is done.

Though a air dam is a must too, got one?

 

Check and make sure the air dam is there, that can cause it. Also check the timing on it... Too far advanced and it could cause overheating as well

 

What's the timing at?

 

Sorry guys, I was away for the weekend. I do appreciate your responses though. The timing is unmodified.

As for what I've done: I climbed under the car, undid the butterfly drainage, and nothing happened. Pulled the Rad, and it was incredibly dirty and clogged. Once i cleaned that it helped significantly, but it still does overheat while idling. I guess i'm just not sure what the temps for this kind of engine should be, to be honest....

I also pulled the condenser, and moved the single 14" electric fan to the other side of the radiator and made it blow through the rad (now on nose end).

Driving it seems to slowly increase, but very slowly if not leveling off.... As for going through towns and stopping, it likes to jump up to about 230deg, which scares me.

Any ideas? I was toying with the idea of installing another fan on the engine side of the radiator to suck air, which would cool the entire thing...
And i'll check on the air dam.
(Thanks guys)

 

Id seriously look into a new radiator if it was clogged up enough to notice. If you have a thermometer gun.... aim it in a bunch of different places on the radiator. If its a bad blockage...youll see a major change in temp on the radiator surface. Also check everything really good again. Thermostat, air dam, fan,rad cap ect. Good luck hope ya get it cooled down. I had issues with my 92 Camaro and cooling. Turned out to be a bad radiator.

 

Yeah i'm actually going to pick up a radiator now. I went out to check for the airdam (I have one, by the way), and noticed a little puddle. Its leaking from the dead center of the radiator, which kinda blows.

I'm just not sure if i should get the OEM or a VistaPro. I think i'm going with the OEM though, as the Vistapro is only 1" (But says its enhanced and runs like a 1 3/8).

 

I don't think that having a fan on both sides of the radiator would help. They're going to spin at different rates and at diferent times - unless the fan blades on both fans were set and 'in time' so-to-speak with each other, the engine side fan would just disrupt the airflow from the other and if anything reduce overall airflow.

I have the stock TBI radiator and single fan and have no cooling issues at all, even when daily temps hit over 100, most I ever see is 220, and that's when stuck at a long redlight.

I do have a seperate fan controller, and I love it! It's fully adjustable, so I can adjust it a tad lower on the really hot days, and adjust back for the cooler months - might look into one at some point later. Another cheap alternative is the Ford Taurus fan - alot of folks here use them, they push alot of air, and can be found at the local JY for cheap.