Re: Change of radiator core affecting cooling performance in 1949, 23rd series

Posted by Joe D'Agostino On 2017/7/8 2:12:58

Fred,

Thank you.

These are good inputs. The problem with cooling at idle is as follows: After a few minutes of idling in most weather, the engine temperature begins to climb but I don't let it get above 220 degrees. Basically, the car does not hold at a steady state when idling. It is worse in warm weather.

In fact, on one day in the early spring after the radiator shop put the larger core in, it was a 35 degree morning and I let the car idle for about 20 minutes. The engine temperature climbed up to 220 degrees. But once I drove down the road, the cooling system worked so well that the thermostat had to close up to keep the engine above the 140 degree rating on the thermostat. So with the new radiator there is a much larger delta between cruising and idling cooling than before the radiator shop did the work. Now that the engine has been rebuilt and the addition of all new components for the cooling system, I believe there is nothing left except for the radiator.

The radiator shop suggested that I change the pitch of my cooling fan to increase the airflow through the fins. So I think they are admitting that we may need more airflow to get the larger core to work properly. (I could also add an electric fan backup but I should not have to do this)

I know that you are correct about the lower temperature thermostat and I believe exactly what you say about the sludge in the oil. So I would like to go to a higher value thermostat but the lower value seems to give us a little more of a head start at idle before the temperature begins to climb.

When the car is equipped with A/C, is the water pump or fan pitch any different? It would seem that there might be some difference in some of the components to compensate for the higher volume radiator.

I very much appreciate your inputs.

And I would still like to try to get the specs (number of columns, etc) on the original core so that I can understand the difference. If anyone has this, please send it.