So as I've been putting the miles on my '63 since the recent motor swap, I've discovered that it really dislikes sitting in traffic. Driving around the coolant temperature rarely gets over 170°, but get into some busy stop and go traffic and it starts getting hot. Would having a radiator shroud help when the car isn't moving much? Did Falcons with V8'S have shrouds? This is what it looks like currently;
I don't see a coolant overflow/recovery container. That will help if you don't because, with the proper radiator cap, it will keep the radiator full.
Pretty common problem for early Falcons & Rancheros; smallish opening in the core support means a smallish radiator. I'm using a stock-style metal shroud that was used on A/C equipped cars, along with a flex fan. Flex fans pull more air at idle & low speeds. Works well. Google Falcon or Mustang fan shroud and you'll find several types available. You may have to do some engineering to fit your radiator. If you decide to try a flex fan, the standard setup calls for the fan blades to be half in/half out of the shroud, which can be set with different thickness fan spacers on the water pump.
I've kind of gone down a rabbit hole on this regarding looking online for something. There's universal half-moon ones that attach with a zip tie type of fastener through the radiator fins, and universal race application shrouds, but I have found an OEM shroud that looks like it should work. Is it easier to remove the fan to get the shroud in position or easier to pull out the radiator? I think the one I'm looking at is 3" deep. Also do you have a source on the metal one you used? I've only seen ABS and fiberglass so far. Thanks all for the replies. The overflow tube seems to be working ok, I haven't lost much coolant, but I may consider adding an overflow reservoir.
I imagine you'll have to remove the fan (I did), but doubt you need to remove the radiator. Here's the shroud I'm using, along with some brackets that made for an easier install on mine: https://www.npdlink.com/product/fan-shroud-repro-has-stapled-rubber-pad-on/106146 https://www.npdlink.com/product/radiator-fan-shroud-bracket-set-2-row/106162 (They also offer a 3 row set) And here's the coolant recovery tank I'm using: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...a/15134/automotive-car-1965-ford-falcon?pos=1. It can be set up as a simple overflow catch can, or as a coolant recovery tank. I ordered a couple of fan spacers when I was figuring all this out, but turned out not needing them. If you'd like to have them, just PM me your address and I'll ship them out. One is 1/2" and the other is 1", both with mounting hardware.
Thank you, that shroud is actually a little more affordable than the one I had found. I think I'll order that and see how it works with the current fan before considering the flex fan, though thanks for the offer on the spacers.
Add a coolant recovery tank and use a radiator cap that permits recovery. It may not look like you lose much coolant but that means your coolant system is not running full. For once, there was a good reason they added coolant recovery to cars.
Adding a recovery system is definitely a good suggestion, but the symptom is overheating at stops. For that reason, I think that 1965 Ranchero 66G's suggestion of electric fans is more likely to solve the problem. The OP should first have the coolant tested for exhaust gases to ensure there is not an internal leak.
I'll add to the previous suggestion; I had excellent results here on a 400m motor, and then when I junked it I moved the system to cool my 302 Ranchero. Both were tested at 100f temps here. I used an aftermarket fan I bought at Summit, maybe 1600 watts running. I didn't find it necessary to add a fan shroud.
I guess I'm old school, using old school solutions; no electrical, all mechanical. I've driven my set up all over the country from Washington state, southern California, Idaho, Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats, Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin & Minnesota with no overheating issues. Wouldn't change a thing.
I got tired of my heap getting way too hot in traffic so: new/better water pump, big radiator and electric fan...stays at 180 no matter how hot or how long idling in traffic!
Finally got my shroud on! Turned out to be quite the project. Got my fan off fairly easily with a ratcheting box end wrench but didn't realize those bolts hold the pulley on as well, there's like no YouTube tutorials on this. Under the pulley were three spacers so I knew I'd have to pull the radiator out to reinstall the fan, pulley and spacers as there just wasn't enough room. That led to removing the battery tray which I would have had to do anyway to access the lower right radiator mount. The shroud lined up perfectly with three of the mounts, so glad I counted the rows in my radiator (3 rows) to get the correct mounts. Drilled an extra hole in the shroud to be able to mount it at all four corners, so it's nice and secure. Got it all buttoned up save for pouring the coolant back in which I did this afternoon. Ran it with the heat on and let any trapped air burp out, and am happy to report that idling for 10 minutes the temp didn't even hit 200°! Thanks to all for the replies and to Beerbelly for the links to what I needed. This forum is an awesome resource for backyard mechanics.
