63 Dodge Dart, now let me see;)

[Dne007]

Good morning I do have a question that's kind of bugging me~ when I was driving the Dart and the water temp would stay at 150-160 as long as it was moving (30-40mph), and having a 180 degree thermostat, why wouldn't the engine be running 180 degrees? If I were to question my temp gauge, how would I verify what the actual temp is, or the placement of my temp gauge? I do have another mechanical gauge around here somewhere.

Gotta get cleaning house! brb

 

[Icetech]

Good morning I do have a question that's kind of bugging me~ when I was driving the Dart and the water temp would stay at 150-160 as long as it was moving (30-40mph), and having a 180 degree thermostat, why wouldn't the engine be running 180 degrees? If I were to question my temp gauge, how would I verify what the actual temp is, or the placement of my temp gauge? I do have another mechanical gauge around here somewhere.

Gotta get cleaning house! brb

View attachment 1716480805

Any chance your thermostat is stuck open? And a thermal gun (like $19 on amazon) is a good way to check if your gauge is close.. won't be exact but within 5-10 degrees checking the head/block.. at least on mine

P.S. next time you start it cold pull the radiator cap and see if water is flowing right away..

 

[Dne007]

Hi Icey;) I'll check for flow like you said, probably be a few days, waiting for my new pump. Yes, I have a thermal gun too;) I guess I may as well pull the thermostat housing and check the T stat while I have the cooling system apart. I know I have the T stat in correctly too just in case someone were to ask.

 

[mpgmike]

It may just be that efficient. You oxidize (burn) hydrocarbon fuel which releases heat. The expansion medium (air initially) absorbs that heat and tries to expand, creating pressure. As the oxidizing process progresses, the expansion medium begins to populate with carbon monoxide, then carbon dioxide, plus water vapor. The water vapor causes more pressure with the same amount of heat versus the nitrogen in the air. Carbon dioxide absorbs more heat than nitrogen or water vapor, without expanding much.

With that said, if you are efficiently burning the fuel in the engine super efficiently, the heat is absorbed by the expansion medium, and that energy is manifested in the form of more pressure on the piston with less dissipated heat to the cooling system. My '95 Jeep with a custom stroker 4.6 engine won't go much above the cold hash on the gauge at idle. With a 195 T-stat, it cruises at 65 at around 155-160 degrees.

 

[Dne007]

Gee Mike , that’s an amazing explanation!!!

 

[Dne007]

With the new fan mocked into place, it touches the crankshaft bolt and the fan can’t be spaced any more as it’s already a 1/4 from the radiator. I have another idea to share after lunch;)

 

[Dne007]

I've been tripping over this extra Bronco radiator (3 row) for a year or more, I had it on my engine run stand, so, I tried it as for fitment and looks very doable, the clearance is adequate between the radiator and the fan even when the fan would be put forwardly another 1/2 which would give the space needed to clear the balancer bolt.
Only fun part would be coming up with hoses, especially the lower hose.
Crap, need to go to the store! grr I'll be back

 

[George Jets]

She's gonna fly like a P-51 Mustang when you get done.

☆☆☆☆☆

 

[Icetech]

Just curious.. what was wrong with the 7 blade you had one it? it's the one i use

 

[Dne007]

She's gonna fly like a P-51 Mustang when you get done.

View attachment 1716480933


☆☆☆☆☆

 

[Dne007]

The green one, it's just noticeably noisy, especially when 3-4k rpms. hm, I'm sure I had other issues, but my lame brain isn't coming up with a logical reason why!

Just curious.. what was wrong with the 7 blade you had one it? it's the one i use

 

[George Jets]

Just curious.. what was wrong with the 7 blade you had one it? it's the one i use

Airplane prop. Had one just like it on my '74 Dart Swinger /6 AC car.

Solid mount, it cooled with the factory shroud, but man was it noisy over 2,000 rpm.

Thar Long Slant 6 and that cramped early A engine compartment, no room for a mopar clutch fan.

Ma Mopar knew she was up against it, and went for the function over noise approach.


☆☆☆☆☆

 

[Icetech]

Airplane prop. Had one just like it on my '74 Dart Swinger /6 AC car.

Solid mount, it cooled with the factory shroud, but man was it noisy over 2,000 rpm.

Thar Long Slant 6 and that cramped early A engine compartment, no room for a mopar clutch fan.

Ma Mopar knew she was up against it, and went for the function over noise approach.


☆☆☆☆☆

ahh ok.. mine is a 7 blade derale with a hayden short clutch.. not noisy at all.. i got lucky.. i was worried bout it when i got it

 

[Icetech]

This is the one i went with, not sure if /6 uses the same as a small block.. but it turned out to not be noisy at all which was lucky

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XONYK2?tag=fabo03-20

 

[Icetech]

btw.. it sucks being so close to the fan.. my car is the same way, i am good at pulling the radiator out quick to work on anything on the front now

 

[mygasser]

re the crankshaft bolt to fan clearance, you only need 1/8". the flex fan blades flatten with rpm increasing the clearance so a small gap is fine.
neil.

 

[George Jets]

As we keep working back to my favorite fan. Runs Quiet, gives everything good clearance, moves good air (hopefully it's at least 18" diameter.

Now move your AC Condenser 1" forward off the Core Support to allow some fresh air to come in around the edges, instead of dumping searing hot AC heat directly into your already great Aluminum Radiator that will get rid of the heat... if you give it a chance.


☆☆☆☆☆

 

[mygasser]

As we keep working back to my favorite fan. Runs Quiet, gives everything good clearance, moves good air (hopefully it's at least 18" diameter.

View attachment 1716480974

Now move your AC Condenser 1" forward off the Core Support to allow some fresh air to come in around the edges, instead of dumping searing hot AC heat directly into your already great Aluminum Radiator that will get rid of the heat... if you give it a chance.


☆☆☆☆☆

i hadn't thought about pulling the ac condenser forward from the radiator, i'll use that tip when i get to my nash build.
neil.

 

[Dne007]

but it sure is a pretty setup

btw.. it sucks being so close to the fan.. my car is the same way, i am good at pulling the radiator out quick to work on anything on the front now
View attachment 1716480962

 

[George Jets]

Thanks for providing us a platform where we can speak our mind, without people going off on a tizzy.

We live through you, keep up the good work.

Amazing thought process drilling down into problems.

Thank You...


☆☆☆☆☆

 

[Dne007]

I wouldn't have it any other way George, we're all friends here, same likes, it's a Fortress of Solitude

Thanks for providing us a platform where we can speak our mind, without people going off on a tizzy.

We live through you, keep up the good work.

Amazing thought process drilling down into problems.

Thank You...


☆☆☆☆☆

 

[Dne007]

Ok, probably won't be back for bit, family is here and time to do what I do

 

[Dne007]

I got a call this morning from Tirelink saying my wheels are in, actually I thought today was Sunday wondering why they were calling . The assemblies are perfect!! I can put my hand between the rubber of the tire and fender with plenty to spare and the wheels sits quite centered in the well! I'm very pleased! I'll be ordering new rims for the fronts in a couple weeks. The wheels are just beautiful! So, 5 1/4 back spacing and still using the 255/60s

The wheels/rims cost 445. per wheel, 15 s/h, and tax of course. I think this was a fair price considering they're custom made and, ordered 11/04 and received 20 days later! ;)

hm, have a few holidays to take care off

 

[mygasser]

ooooh shiny and they fit much better
neil.

 

[Dne007]

Aaannnnd, my new high volume water pump came in also! Heck of a day I'd say~ Just waiting on a fan spacer, and a possible upper radiator hose