Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

[Bob S.]

Summer is coming on in Oklahoma and the 90 - 100 degree weather is not far ahead. My problem is driving around town during the summer. When I go through the drive-thru or sit at a long traffic light my temp starts to peg. I have only boiled over a couple of times but it is nerve racking. I have a 230hp base engine and I am running a DeWitt direct fit aluminum radiator with 15# cap and a 5 blade flex fan (standard 4 blade doesn't even come close). The timing has been checked and I have checked the distributor on a SUN machine and the curves are good.

My question is: Do you think I would be helped by installing the 6 blade clutch fan used on the 61-70's? I am pretty sure this would also entail changing to a early 1960 fan shroud for clearance. Thanks, Sully

[William C.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Is the vacuum advance working properly, and the vacuum can correct and operational?

[Bob S.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Yes. Everything has checked out on the distributor.

[Terry D.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Is the fan positioned properly? It should be sticking half way in the shroud. What timing are you running at? You say everything checks out but you give us no figures to look at. A 230 horse engine should not over heat in that weather. Are you sure you have the right vacuum can? How old is this sun machine you are using? How old is the radiator? Lots of questions, very little info!

[Frank D.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

I went through all that biz with my '61 with the original radiator here in Orlando; a Hayden 2747 'truck' fan clutch (I run that in my 63) may help but I just put a clutch-eliminator spacer instead - you can see it in the picture. I want full volume air flow in Orlando summers. I also installed a 7 blade fan and then sealed around the gappy fan shroud with that gray, closed cell foam pipe insulation -- along the top and down both sides. I then put the rubber seal kit along the bottom and at both corners at the front of the radiator (vendors supply this in repro form)......

I run a 160* thermostat which some here will say causes you to grow a second head that keeps you up all night arguing....

Car stays at 180* with excursions to 190* at long stop lights.

[Bob S.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Terry, the fan is in the right place and the radiator is new (2,000mi). SUN machine is not new but is well maintained at a reputable restoration shop. Here are the numbers on the SUN:

@400 - 1*
@1300 - 7.5*
@1850 - 10.5* - 11* +16" = 17.5* +18" = 19*

On car at idle:
No vac = 4*
w/vac = 22*

[Bob S.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Frank, What did you use for a 7 blade fan?

[Stephen C.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Did you check the temperature sending unit? is it reading the right temp ?? a lot of guys are using an in-line resister to get a more correct temp. also do not use teflon tape when installing the sending unit it will not give you a good ground.

[Frank D.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Actually it is a 6-blade fan (my 63 has the 7 blade fan from Classic Industries)...
From my 2008 Jegs invoice:

040014548 1" GM/AMC/FORD FAN SPACER
04001671P 17" STEEL RACE FAN

Those part numbers don't work on their web site any longer.
If you look up -- 17" STEEL FAN -- you'll see some selections though...

F.

[Bob S.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Steve, I have checked the temp with an IR gun. Temp indicator ok +/- a little.

Frank, Thanks for the info. I will check it out.

[Mark E.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

@1850 - 10.5* - 11* +16" = 17.5* +18" = 19*

What does this mean?

[Bob S.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Mark, at 1850rpm the centrifugal advance was 10.5*-11*. When 16" of vacuum is added the advance goes to 17.5* etc.

[Duke W.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

When testing on a distributor machine RPM and advance is usually specified in distributor degrees, which are half engine RPM and degrees, so I assume that is the case here. However, I hate making assumptions and would prefer that data is presented in full context, so give us a hint.

Look up the design data in the AMA specs, post it and compare. There may be a a problem with the centrifugal.

What's the number on the VAC?

When was the last time the radiator was rodded out or recored?

What color is the antifreeze?

Duke

[Bob S.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

Duke,

As to distributor machine RPM vs engine RPM etc. I cannot give you an honest answer. I watched as it was being done but the numbers I posted here were given to me on a sheet.

The VAC on the car at idle is 15 inches. As stated, with VAC disconnected the timing is set at 4*. When VAC is re-connected to the vacuum advance the timing goes to 22*.

The radiator is a new DeWitt aluminum "direct fit"

The antifreeze is a 50/50 mix of Zerex G05 with less than 1,500 miles. Color still looks original.

Thanks - Sully

[William F.]

Re: Trying to cool my 59 on hot summer days

How bout cooling passages in block? Did you open the 2 block drains prior to coolant refill? Thermostat a good one? Think water pump is working?