Getting control of coolant temps on the cheap

[Brooks]

I've been having some problems with my car running hot. I mentioned them to a friend and fellow board member Carl Ijames who recommended sealing up the gap between the fan and the radiator, and the gaps between the radiator and the the body. I picked up some "air conditioning weatherstripping" from the local hardware store and did just that.

The weatherstripping isn't the sticky back stuff, it's actually an open cell foam with a square cross section. I used two different sizes, 1 1/4" X 1 1/4" to seal the gap between the fan and the radiator and 2 1/4" X 2 1/4" to seal the much larger gaps between the radiators itself and the body.

The difference has been quite dramatic over the last week or so. My average temps appear to have droppped roughly 14 degrees or so (monitored via direct scan) at cruising speeds and the cooling system doesn't become heat soaked as easily from playing around when it's hot out.

Next step will be the Ramchargers dual fan unit then replacing the stock radiator in preparation for a front mount

Thanks for the tip Carl!

Charles Brooks

 

[1970gsx]

Thanks for the info Brooks. Looks like I'll need to do the same thing here shortly. My temp got up to 219 yesterday with the air on in the 98 degree temps were having up here.

 

[Mr URL]

You can also temporarily remove the under hood weather strip on the lip by the wipers. Lets some heat vent out the back of the engine compartment. Draw back is you could get some water on the coil pack/module during heavy rain or car wash. This has dropped the temps on my car 10-12 degrees with the air conditioning on in hot 95+ degree weather cruising down the highway.

 

[Chris Taylor]

The 90* heat here is killing me and my T. My temps. with the AC on in traffic are aroud 203*. I installed a new radiator last weekend. It is a four row core, super flow. Once I get moving on the highway the temps. drop down around 185*. I have ordered the dual fans from RC. I think the 134a operates at a higher temp. than the R12. This may be the cause for my higher temps.?

 

[TurboTR]

Yeah it's amazing how big a difference in performance there is between say 85 deg ambient and 95 deg ambient

TurboTR

 

[Brooks]

Thanks for the tip on the hood weatherstrip. I pulled it back a little on the drivers side but didn't see any difference. I'll remove it entirely and see if there's any change.

Charles Brooks

 

[Carolinaturbot6]

Speaking of removing the weatherstripping at the windshield, I read a post one time where the guy mentioned doing just that except he left a small portion of it directly above the coilpack to keep it dry.

Just thought I'd mention it.

 

[Roger]

I'm considering GNX fender vents.

 

[topfuel]

Originally posted by Mr URL
You can also temporarily remove the under hood weather strip on the lip by the wipers. Lets some heat vent out the back of the engine compartment. Draw back is you could get some water on the coil pack/module during heavy rain or car wash. This has dropped the temps on my car 10-12 degrees with the air conditioning on in hot 95+ degree weather cruising down the highway.

Thanks Mr URL, I went out immediately and took the strip off.
Here's the cool thing about it
I happened to have my stocker cooling fan off the radiator and
by chance, I tried putting the strip on the backside of the fan
housing to seal it to the radiator. Guess what, it fits!
I cut a strip for each side, and one for the bottom.
The side strips push right onto the back of the fan housing
(soft side toward the radiator), and the lower strip fits on the
lower radiator support, between the two speed nuts.
I had an extra piece of garage door seal laying around that I
used for the top seal.
The weatherstrip ended up being just the right thickness to
seal my fan to the radiator like a mother#!*$%
It's 80 degrees out and my engine temp never went over 168,
I think this helped my fan efficiency and didnt cost me a dime

 

[ijames]

Two disadvantages to pulling the hood seal off is that you get oil buildup on the windshield (and I imagine a nice pile of goo if you lose a head gasket ), and now the vent intake is getting hot underhood air. That's why some guys leave the passenger side intact, so the vent/ac can draw fresh air instead of hot air.

 

[topfuel]

disadvantages indeed

Aw CRAP, I already cut mine into pieces
Didn't stop to think about the disadvantages.
I'll have to add Windex and paper towels to my list of
"things to bring to the track"
Fortunately, mine is not a daily driver, if it hot enough
outside to need air conditioning, or if its going to rain,
it stays in the garage!