[tdfairlane]

I have a 64 ford fairlane with a 289 and it is running hot most of the time. I have rebuilt the entire engine just a couple months ago. I had the radiator rodded out and installed a tefba coolant filter. What are some things I could do to lower the running temperature??

[fastbck65]

Check your filter screen. Even after 200 miles in a flushed radiator it could get clogged up. Try installing an electric fan instead of your old stock one. Also check your thermostat, it could be sticking.

You can get some dry ice and pack the radiator too, but most of the time that just cracks and breaks it! ...lol

[65205]

Someone posted some good info a while back. Do a search if you haven't already. Good luck. Our 65 Mustang gave us a fit with overheating issues! Ours was fuel related, a rebuilt,cleaned carb did the trick. We had replaced everything else.

[tdfairlane]

thanks for the input but the filter is clean and I am using a new carb...the thermostat is working properly. Any other ideas???

[65205]

Have you checked the timing?

[stang36]

The tune of the engine will effect how hot it runs.
Check the timing, the rate of timing advance. Running it to lean will also cause it to run hot. You stated a new carb was installed. Was it adjusted for your engine?? Float levels, and jet sizes will all effect it.
Are there any vacuum leaks?

Also you mentioned you had your rad. rodded out. I am not sure what that is but if they had to solder so tubes up to stop leaks you may have lost enough flow to effect the cooling capabilities of the radiator.
Did you actually check the thermostat for proper operation in boiling water?
When does the car run hot? While its setting and/or in traffic? Does it cool down while maintaining at least 40mph for a few minutes on the highway? If its just running hot during standing and in traffic then a better fan-shroud might be all you need.
Why do you think it is running to hot anyway? Could it be that the guage is not accurate. Did the engine get grounded to the chasis properly?

[tdfairlane]

timing is fine- thermostat works fine in boiling h20- gauges new and fine ( it boils over) - carb was previously on a different 289 for 2 months and ran fine- rodding out a radiator is when you take the tanks off and shove a rod down the tubes to get all the crud out--runs hot all the time. timing is good.

[stang36]

Whats the total timing?
Maybe it has a leaking head gasket? Or improperly installed gaskets. Was it overheating before the rebuild?
Is the new engine a stock rebuild or is it modified?
Have you pulled the plugs to see if any of them are running really lean?

[Veronica]

Hello. If the trouble started right after the rebuild my first guess would be that the motor has been punched out one time too many.289s are bad about running hot once they've been punched out more than about .050.That, in conjunction with a carb that is running a tad lean will have one running real hot.Especially if the car has A/C. Hope that helps.

[tdfairlane]

overheating before the rebuild - it is modified ( new edelbrock performer intake and cam, headers, carb, timing gears, I replaced the 289 connecting rods and crankshaft with 302 connecting rods and crankshaft,..) I have no AC and this was the first rebuild job.

Have you pulled the plugs to see if any of them are running really lean?[/quote]

what do you mean by running lean?

I have the timing set at 12 advanced with the new cam.

[stang36]

So if i understand you correctly:
The car was overheating before the engine was pulled and rebuilt??

Does the car have the correct radiator, fan, fan shroud, is the fan close enough to the fan shroud or radiator to actually draw air throw it?

What are the parts you reused on the rebuilt engine? water pump? distributor?

Like Veronica was saying about the block...how much has it been bored out to?

The reason I was asking about reading the plugs is to see if there are some that look like there running lean. Due to improper tuning or vacuum leaks. A lean condition due to any reason and to much timing, and to steep of a timing curve, and to much total timing (base timing + mechanical advance + vacuum advance= total timing which should be around 36 degrees) can cause an engine to run to hot.

[krankieone]

OK I know what a PITA overheating can be firstly I'd look at the things that dont cost .

Check the timing mark on the damper is actually at TDC then check total advance

check for vacume leaks by trickling water over all the joints and vacume connections and listen for a change in engine note.

check that lower radiator hose is not colapseing restricting flow

check plugs

check for head gasket leak most good mechanics have a device that attaches to your radiator to detect exhaust gasses in the coolant.

try a 160 deg thermostat

try a water pump with an impellor not a paddle wheel

try decent 4 core tripple pass radiator (if that doesnt do the trick nothing will)

From my experiance compact fairlane's radiators are marginal at best once the block has been bored and motor hopped up a bit they aren't up to it but I'd check all the other stuff before I reached for the wallet

[Nas67stanger]

Also don't forget that your engine isn't the only thing your coolant passes through. Your transmission could be running hot causing your engine to have to work harder to compensate for the tranny. Try a tranny cooler and a flush to keep your temp down. Or, if you're running headers, try to wrap them with temp tape to help reduce heat.

[Mexstang]

Timing has to be correct. Get the largest radiator possible-3 rows minimum. Make sure the fan shroud is sealed all the way around and that the fan is as close to the shroud as possible/inside. Get the largest electric fan available & make sure it's PULLING the air through the CLEAN radiator & ofcourse, spinning in the correct direction. Get the largest coolant overflow bottle possible. Make sure the engine is sucking in fresh air from outside of your engine compartment. Make sure the hot air under the hood can escape quickly. Get some headers that allow the heat to escape quicker. Make sure the spark/fuel/air mixture is as close to perfect as possible. Use synthetic oil & good gas. Use a quality water pump and low temp thermostat. Unfortunately, these engines aren't as good at this as the japanese engines are. I used to worry about this alot and now I don't even think about it. My stang runs cool....Also, I dropped an 88 5.0 w/fuel injection in it, too. Talk to those Stangers from Arizona and other hot areas...How do they do it?