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Old 06-01-2009, 04:28 PM
elmariachi elmariachi is offline
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Location: Driftwood, TX
Cobra Make, Engine: Contemporary Cobra, 427 side oiler
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 767Jockey View Post
I think David and Mr0077 have it right. The problem isn't that you added a shroud, it's the size and shape of the shroud that you added that is causing you the problem. Sorry for the rambling, writing is not my forte, hopefully you get the concept of what I am trying to say. Good luck.Doug
Well its definitely part of the more recent problems. In order to keep some process to this, I am only making a couple changes at a time. Here is what I have done (which essentially backs me up one step to before the shroud):

1. Drained all the coolant from the radiator.
2. Removed the 180* hi-flow t-stat and replaced it with the 180* NAPA shown in the upper right of the earlier pic. I actually installed it, then pulled it and added 3 more holes per David's instruction.
3. Filled it up with distilled water only up to the half level mark in the expansion tank.
4. REMOVED THE SHROUD.

I fired it up and it warmed up as usual, though it warmed up a bit quicker this time I assume due to the air pockets in the engine and the 3 extra holes in the t-stat. To make the most of my available time, I didn't wait around and see how hot it got. Once it was at 80C/175F I headed out to the radiator shop. Its only a mile from me so I took a longer route of about 5 miles. The car stayed at 180* the whole trip except at two lights, where each time while sitting it got up to 90C/195*.

The radiator guy tested it for combustion gases in the coolant said there were NONE. Hallelujah, that shi!!y news could have ruined my day and my career as a backyard FE builder completely. He said he couldn't add much else without having the radiator out to test it, but he did say it appeared to him that the radiator was not able to handle the engine heat. But he also said it could be fan or water pump. He agreed the fan apperas to be driving LOTS of air.

So I took it out and ran it for about 10 miles and it never got over 185-190*, except at one redlight where it went up to about 90C/195F. When I pulled back in to the drive I parked it and let it idle. Over the course of the next 4-5 minutes it slowwwwllllyyyy climbed back up to 105C/220F, which is when I decided to start hosing down the radiator to cool it off. That dropped it back to 90C/195F, and I killed it. I will burp it but based on prior burps in the sessions before adding the shroud, I am not optimistic

I did try using a small shop fan in the nose and it didn't seem to matter. I may get a bigger box fan and try it tomorrow.

So that's where we are, right back to where I was when it was suggested I needed a shroud. I agree with the comments that THIS shroud is not designed to solve my problem, its too close tho the back of the radiator, as was proven above.

By the way, I called PRC this morning (they built this radiator.) Out of 130 Hurricanes sold, they have not had anyone come to them with this problem. They suggested water pump or fan flow. Need to get a new IR gun so I can do some spot temp checks on the radiator face for them.

EDIT1>> That gurgling in the radiator was likely because the expansion tank was too full or that hi-flow t-stat. Its not doing that at all now, its flowing normally through the tank at half level.

EDIT2>>>I appreciate the remarks about the timing. I am going to check that over again for the hundredth time tomorrow, and may giver her another 4 degrees base from 20 to 24 just for the hell of it and see what happens.

Last edited by elmariachi; 06-01-2009 at 04:39 PM..
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