55 1st series heating up

[Jurassic-1]

I have started putting miles on the ole truck. It has a fresh radiator rebuild a new 180 degree thermostat and a new water pump,hoses,and coolant. The fan is not stock but is a 5 blade fan. It runs about 195 on the gauge but if you hit a light it will creep up to 210. cruising it runs around 200 . I have a new 4 pound radiator cap on it. Would a 195 thermostat help or has anyone else had similar problems? I still have the 6 volt system and the stock 235 engine.

[OrrieG]

Put a shroud on it to direct the air flow thru the radiator. 200 and 210 are not alarming, with coolant the boiling temp is raised to around 235. When I lived in AZ and West Texas running at 200 was common. When I added AC to my original 235 engine I saw a big jump in temperature, especially in traffic with 110 degree temps in Phoenix. Adding a shroud got them back under control. Lots of after market places make simple round one, or you can fabricate one. Make sure that the fan is at the inside of the edge facing the engine.

[Jurassic-1]

I will look into that. I had a fan that was not stock. I will look for an original one. It has a very large center on it. I did modify a 1967 6 cylinder fan but I needed to space it forward and slightly twist the blades to clear the lower crank pulley. It helped a bit since it was pitched more than the 5 blade someone had on it. I will have to see if I can get a factory fan and then put on a shroud. Thank you for the advice.

[yossarian19]

I wouldn't bother finding a factory fan, I'd just get a fan / shroud combination that works together. The 1950s fan designs were not as efficient / powerful as what you can do today.
You *could* be running more ignition advance than recommended, causing hotter run temps (I came up on computer controlled MPFI, so if any old timers want to correct me, go ahead) but again, 210 in Arizona in June sounds just fine.

[_Ogre]

a shroud will help especially on the extreme hot days, most shrouds were discarded the first time removed
but i agree 200*-210* is nothing to worry about
a 180* thermostat only guarantees a minimum of 180*

this is a stock 59 chevy truck shroud, you rarely see them

[Jurassic-1]

I will try to make a shroud. I have to check timing but am unclear on setting it. 1st problem is the 12 volt timing light it is too dim to see the ball. I also tried to start as shown on a u-tube video which said put distributer on 0 and check mark at ball but if it is on 0 it runs sluggish. It currently is set around 8 degrees and runs good. My next problem seems to be the slow cranking after the engine gets warm . It will crank slow then all at once start. Thank you for your suggestions .

[mr48chev]

If you have one of those stainless steel five blade fans with the tapered blades it probably doesn't pull enough air at idle speed to help with cooling. I've got one on my 48 and had the same results. I could run down the road with the temp gauge on 183 to 185 with a 180 Thermostat and hit slow traffic or stop at a light and the temp jumped right up and then dropped right back down when I hit about 25 mph.

[Jurassic-1]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

If you have one of those stainless steel five blade fans with the tapered blades it probably doesn't pull enough air at idle speed to help with cooling. I've got one on my 48 and had the same results. I could run down the road with the temp gauge on 183 to 185 with a 180 Thermostat and hit slow traffic or stop at a light and the temp jumped right up and then dropped right back down when I hit about 25 mph.

I have a 1967 4 blade fan. It used to have a 5 blade but it looked like someone flattened the blades. It did not pull real well. The blade I installed pulls quit well .It seems to get hotter running down the road but seems to stay around 200 - 205 it is a bit cooler than with the other fan. I will try to get a shroud on it but it sounds like that is about all the cooler it will run.
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[Apachemike]

I would also get myself a higher pressure cap. Just for piece of mind

[Jurassic-1]

Everyone including the radiator shop told me not to exceed the 4 pound cap or things like the heater core and radiator would fail.

[OrrieG]

They are right 4-6# cap is what is used. The system was not designed for higher pressures like newer closed systems.

[dwcsr]

I have seen where the fan actually cooled the Tstat housing down and made the Tstat stay closed and over heat the engine. We placed a shield in front of the Tstat housing to deflect the colder air and all was good. no shroud used.

[Jurassic-1]

I drove it about 10 -12 miles through start and stop traffic also stopping at the bank. The outside temp was about 110 degrees . Rolling down the road it was about 110-112 I stopped for about 10 min. and came out and it was 125 from sitting once started it returned to about 110. I think it seems ok. I never lose anti freeze. I would still like to install a fan shroud. Does anyone know if they were made? It shows them in the assy manual and I posted WTB on parts but no response.

[_Ogre]

i assume you meant 225*
that's nothing. running down the road at 212* when it's 110* outside is not bad

[solidaxel]

Electric fans work real good when sitting at a stop light and any thing over 25 MPH should give you enough ram air to pass 100* cooler air over the rad and keep in in the thermostat range of 180*

[Jurassic-1]

I did mean 210 degrees . I still run the 6 volt system so fans may be an issue.