[madokang]

Hello all... just acquired a 66 coupe 289. Solid no rust/second owner all original paper work (even first oil change slip), really clean (26k mi on new engine from 1995).

Anyway, been doing some restoring/updating and now come across the cooling system. I live in the desert and hope to make this car a daily driver (10-15 miles a day - work and back). I just upgraded radiator to 3 row and got a new 180 thermo (might go to 160).

I hear it's best to go with a hi performance water pump vs your $35-$50 regular new pump???

This is where your experience kicks in! What you think?

Thank you all!

[65BlueHorse]

I don't live in the desert but i have a 3 core radiator, 7 bladed fan, stock/stardard water pump and a 180 thermostat on my '65. The only time it actually runs at 180 degrees is on a hot summer day (thats only 90 here). I have run it 50 miles going 65-70mph and it never got over 180 even on hot days. A lot of people do recommend high flow water pumps and since it will probably be hotter where you are it wouldn't be a bad idea. I really don't think you would need it though. My car usually only runs at 160 degrees on short trips (less than 10 miles) all year round

[madokang]

Cool... I guess it wouldn't hurt though. I will go with hipo water pump and get a better fan w/shroud (currently stock).

You think elec fan or clutch would be better?

thx

[65BlueHorse]

I don't really know much about that as far as which would be better but my dad just switched his stock 5 blade fan for a 7 bladed fan on his 68 mustang when he worked in DC and he sat in rush hour traffic and never had any overheating problems. From my experiance i don't think you need to worry about it overheating that much.

[madokang]

ok cool... I'll look around for 7 blade

thx

[GimpCow]

I just resolved my cooling issues actually, couple things that make a pretty big difference.

Big, shiny radiator: Total plus, I have a 3row aluminum one, that is a couple inches wider, and about a 1/2 inch thicker then original, works great.

Variable flow water pump: Also, total plus, they flow 30% more at idle (like at a stop light), then ramp back down to normal when driving.

Standalone trans cooler: Eh, don't know if it makes a big difference, but it lightens the load on the main rad, I mounted mine off-center from the main rad, behind the grille the horse mounts to.

I'm still using the stock fan, without a t-stat, OR fan shroud, and yet, it never runs above whatever halfway is on the stock gauge.

Note: with the thicker radiator, if I ran a fan shroud, it's likely the fan would be too far into the shroud for it to be effective.

[k0rupt3d]

I live in AZ and used my 64 stang as a daily driver for a while and had over heating problems if i got stuck at a red light. I got a Ron Davis rad with 2 12" electric fans and used a stock water pump at the time and had no problem after getting that rad.