Cooling issues with new system

J.A.B · Nov 9, 2009

got the new motor tuned and running good this weekend but am still plagued with cooling issues. I have 36" triple pass rad in the back with good shroud and two fans. The system hold about 6.5 to 7 gallons total coolent. The motor is fairly high compression and heats up quick but the the first time or two the thermostat opens the rad can keep up ok but after about the third time the system is constantly circulating water and a good 1 min or 2 at 6k the motor is at 240. Tried two bottles of water wetter with no luck. The theory now is the stock water pump cannot push enough volume to keep up with all the demand.

Looks like I will need to upgrade to a better water pump - am thinking a 35 gpm Meziere electric pump.

Any suggestions on this???

John Galbreath Jr. · Nov 9, 2009

On the water wetter. Probably not enough for that size system. Also, for water wetter to be effective, you can not have any anti-freeze in the system. Unsure of the reason for your cooling issue though.

BamaTJ · Nov 9, 2009

I have a meziere electric pump and it moves water too fast. Doesn't spend enough time in the radiator. I had to put in a flow restrictor. I would stay away from the electric pumps, but that is just my .02.

J.A.B · Nov 9, 2009

John Galbreath Jr. said:
On the water wetter. Probably not enough for that size system. Also, for water wetter to be effective, you can not have any anti-freeze in the system. Unsure of the reason for your cooling issue though.

I do have 50-50 mixture - I just don't think that suff works that well anyway.

John Galbreath Jr. · Nov 9, 2009

J.A.B said:
I do have 50-50 mixture - I just don't think that suff works that well anyway.

It is good for a 2 degree drop with 50-50, or 20 degrees with straight water. You probably got the 2 degrees thay say!!!!!

J.A.B · Nov 9, 2009

Matt O. said:
I have a meziere electric pump and it moves water too fast. Doesn't spend enough time in the radiator. I had to put in a flow restrictor. I would stay away from the electric pumps, but that is just my .02.

That is my problem now really - once the motor gets hot the thermostat stays open and will not allow the water to stay in the radiator long enough to cool down good. I just thought the stock pump may not be moving enough volume - meaning it is just slowly circulating the coolant and not moving a large portion at a time.

BamaTJ · Nov 9, 2009

I would think the water pump is plenty fine as long as it is not bad. With all the coolant you have with a rear setup it should not get that hot. Is this idling temp or driving temp? I would go with a stock Tstat and jsut check the fans and make sure they are blowing the right way. I know this is stupid stuff, but I went thorough this and never checked the stupid stuff first and it was a my problem.

J.A.B · Nov 9, 2009

I have a 190 thermostat and it idles at about 200 - I cannot keep it under 210 just easing around. The water pump is working and the fans are blowing the right way. Motor does not appear to be running lean either

HotRodpayton · Nov 9, 2009

As far as the fan goes, if you change, consider a Ford Taurus fan. I put one on my buggy($10.00 junk yard, works great) It will literally smoke a cigeratte from the front side of the radiator faster than a hippy smokes a dooby. :****:

1TONZR2 · Nov 9, 2009

I agree on the taurus fan. I have one on my rig and it cools AWESOME....especially for the price!

TOMMY RAINS · Nov 9, 2009

you may trie to do away with the thermostat and try some moroso restrictor washers .you also may still have an air in the system

HotRodpayton · Nov 10, 2009

Did you fill the engine first??? Or the radiator?? I think Tommy is on about the air. If you want to stay with a therm. drill a small hole in it.

CHASMAN9 · Nov 10, 2009

Just my .02. First off, is the fan pulling out back or pushing inward? I have seen this wired backwards and will do what your talking about. As for the water pump, I switched to a Stewart manual water pump instead of a Moroso electric. It pushes water at a much faster rate to get the water to the back and because of the long distance it has to travel to the radiator, it cools much better. Also, make sure you have no air bubbles in the system, the pump should have a purge hole in it. Hope this helps as these are issues I have dealt with in the past.

J.A.B · Nov 10, 2009

The fans are moving in the correct direction. I did think it was air at first so backed it up on a hill several times trying to purge the system with not much change but gave up on the idea. Talked to Jimmy yesterday and he believes it is still air in the system - he recommended a restrictor saying the air would eventually take care of its self. I have ordered a 5/8 restrictor from Jegs - should be here Wed and will try that.

CHASMAN9 · Nov 10, 2009

What water pump are you running now? :dunno:

J.A.B · Nov 10, 2009

Stock!

CHASMAN9 · Nov 10, 2009

J.A.B said:
Stock!

That is possibly part of the problem. GO to stewartcomponents.com and look at the flow rates and questions/ answers. You have a lot more fluid to move which makes it heavier to go that far. Do you have the hoses at the radiator hooked up correctly? Look at which hose goes to the upper inlet of the radiator and which goes to the lower output.

BamaTJ · Nov 10, 2009

I have never run a rear radiator so I have no clue what kind of volume is required to push that much fluid to the back of your rig. I know that my electric pump is 55gpm and that is too damn much, moves water too fast. I would go with a high output mechanical pump before and electric one, but it would be best to try and solve it first without spending money. I hate finding issues with cooling systems, so damn messy especially when you don't have a drain plug on your rad..

J.A.B · Nov 10, 2009

The hoses are connected right - sounds crazy but that was the first thing I thought I may have done. I am going to try the restrictor first before changing pumps. The serpentine belt setup I have witht requires a reverse rotation pump - which is not cheap one you get into the higher volume.

One i get this fixed I am selling this thing laughing1

CHASMAN9 · Nov 10, 2009

Matt O. said:
I have never run a rear radiator so I have no clue what kind of volume is required to push that much fluid to the back of your rig. I know that my electric pump is 55gpm and that is too damn much, moves water too fast. I would go with a high output mechanical pump before and electric one, but it would be best to try and solve it first without spending money. I hate finding issues with cooling systems, so damn messy especially when you don't have a drain plug on your rad..

I agree with you MattO, but with more length comes more volume. And with more volume comes more liquid weight to move. I went through this with mine and blew up 2 Be Cool's. But try all else first and spend less money. :dunno: