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Topic: New Radiator (Read 2849 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: New Radiator

Reply #15
I forgot about thermostats with bleed holes. I've been running Stants with no bleed holes for years. You know the one's you get at any auto parts stores. I've been running the 180* one and the car has no problems warming up down to about 40* (I don't really drive it under that temperature). Never runs above 200* in the summer, even with the A/C on. If you've got a thermostat with a bleed hole the coolant is constantly circulating, which keeps the car from fully warming up in cold temps. That might be part of the issue.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Re: New Radiator

Reply #16
I cant imagine that tiny hole circulates very much coolant, its like a 1/8 inch. 

But I'm no specialist. LOL
Mike

Re: New Radiator

Reply #17
I forget what brand of T-Stat I have, 180*, costs about $15, has the bleed hole but that's just if you have air in the system. When you install it the hole goes on top. I don't know how you guys make it in Chicago. Last year a friend went there in winter and said it was -40*. Hell when it gets 70* here I break out the Carharts. Getting to be a puss in my "golden" years. Other than the Army way back I've spent my life working construction. Rain, snow, HEAT. I was the boss so I had to show up. Quit work a few years ago and kinda like looking out the window when it's in the 30's with a 45mph breeze blowing. Walk over to the fireplace and warm my hands.
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Re: New Radiator

Reply #18
That tiny hole doesn't circulcirculae much, but when its really cold, it doesnt take much to cool the car either.

My 88 car I just bought, I havent had tome to mess with it. Brand new radiator and water pump. Previous owner said it overheated easy in summer time. Threw new parts at it and then stopped driving it. Leaks out of the timing cover so I haven't messed with it much. Found a empty box full of receipts in the trunk and it has a fail safe 180° thermostat in it.

We got about a foot of snow the other day and I have been in the hospital with a new baby. Went to start the car up to keep the battery charged up and dig out the car. In 45 mins it never went over the first bar on the digi gauge and wasn't even warm enough to defrost the windows.

I did a winter out in Montana. Warmest it got was -1°f the day we finished the job and drove home, before that it was -27 to -40°f the whole time we were there, plus wind chill. And it was blowing 40+mph most days. Never been that cold before. The car ran really good the whole winter with a good heater.s the plastic headlights didn't get warm enough to keep snow off them on extended winter drives though. Never had a problem overheating that summer when I got home. Went from -40°f to 110°f running a.c. with no changes. I miss that car.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Re: New Radiator

Reply #19
When you refill the cooling system, the antifreeze goes in the bottom and the air goes out the top through the bleed hole.
All stats have one, even the cheap ones. On some it is a tiny nick in the edge of the valve. If you shine a flashlight through it, you can see it.

 

Re: New Radiator

Reply #20
That tiny hole doesn't circulcirculae much, but when its really cold, it doesnt take much to cool the car either.

My 88 car I just bought, I havent had tome to mess with it. Brand new radiator and water pump. Previous owner said it overheated easy in summer time. Threw new parts at it and then stopped driving it. Leaks out of the timing cover so I haven't messed with it much. Found a empty box full of receipts in the trunk and it has a fail safe 180° thermostat in it.

We got about a foot of snow the other day and I have been in the hospital with a new baby. Went to start the car up to keep the battery charged up and dig out the car. In 45 mins it never went over the first bar on the digi gauge and wasn't even warm enough to defrost the windows.

I did a winter out in Montana. Warmest it got was -1°f the day we finished the job and drove home, before that it was -27 to -40°f the whole time we were there, plus wind chill. And it was blowing 40+mph most days. Never been that cold before. The car ran really good the whole winter with a good heater.s the plastic headlights didn't get warm enough to keep snow off them on extended winter drives though. Never had a problem overheating that summer when I got home. Went from -40°f to 110°f running a.c. with no changes. I miss that car.
Haystack- Congratulations on the new youngster. Never worked in weather like that. Had the "opportunity?" to work on a pipeline project in North Dakota and turned it down. I doubt if I would of survived coming out of Southern Nevada. Drove my F350 this morning, 40* out, drove 27mi, truck got up to 136*.
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more