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Ok folks I am looking for some help in engineering an "Out of the box" solution for a problem I have with my 66 Chevy II.
I have a 871 blown 355 in my car and I have good coolant temp control whenever the car is moving, not an issue, if I am driving, even at low speeds like 10 mph, she will keep the temp around 200. The problem is when I am caught in a stop and go traffic situation, I can hold out for maybe 20 - 30 minutes before it starts to run away and there is nothing I can do except turn her off and wait to cool down. I have an alarm set at 230 to warn me so I can take action to get out of the situation.
I have tried EVERYTHING, large radiator, dual fans with shroud, moved oil cooler from front of rad to another location, I mean everything I can think of but cannot solve this problem. I have had some say that I need a bigger radiator, but this would require moving all the other stuff up front to the trunk, don't want to do this as this is a street toy. There is just not enough room in the engine compartment for that. This is not a new problem, I have been dealing with it since I built the car in 99.
This is my new direction I am thinking about, I am planning to build a "Oh Sh%t" system for when I get caught in a situation where I have no choice but to shut her down.
My plan is to add a fogger system in front of the radiator to give the cooling system a chill and try to recover, even for a little while, until I can get out of the traffic or start rolling again.
Is this a good idea? Would NOS work for this? Is there a better way to get back under control of the temps?
Just looking for opinions as the car is in for paint now and I am planning to do Power Tour this year but have heard horror stories about the traffic on tours past.
I posted this on Facebook groups and received suggestions for my situation, tons of good information but as usual there are many opposing options so I need to sort through it all.
I know that one of the problems is airflow through the radiator when at idle and I need to address that.
The way I see it is that I have two issues, one is the heat generation in the engine, the other is heat removal in the cooling system, I need to find a balance I can live with.
My plan when it comes home from the paint shop is this,
1. Verify ignition timing curve. I have heard that I need to advance the timing and also that I need to retard the timing.
2. Look into better electric cooling fans. This is restricted to the space in the engine compartment and the fact that I have an 871 blower with large pulley and belt system. Many have said I need to go to a mechanical fan, can't happen with my setup.
3. Look into radiator construction, I have heard that I need a multi-pass radiator. I have now a single pass, 2 row B-Cool aluminum radiator. I have read quite a few posts on this issue and the same thing, many different options, pros and cons. Some say that I can get a 24 degree drop in the coolant returning to the engine but at a cost of reduced flow. Is this really a good idea?
So all you professional and shade tree engineers, please jump in and give me some ideas.
I have a 871 blown 355 in my car and I have good coolant temp control whenever the car is moving, not an issue, if I am driving, even at low speeds like 10 mph, she will keep the temp around 200. The problem is when I am caught in a stop and go traffic situation, I can hold out for maybe 20 - 30 minutes before it starts to run away and there is nothing I can do except turn her off and wait to cool down. I have an alarm set at 230 to warn me so I can take action to get out of the situation.
I have tried EVERYTHING, large radiator, dual fans with shroud, moved oil cooler from front of rad to another location, I mean everything I can think of but cannot solve this problem. I have had some say that I need a bigger radiator, but this would require moving all the other stuff up front to the trunk, don't want to do this as this is a street toy. There is just not enough room in the engine compartment for that. This is not a new problem, I have been dealing with it since I built the car in 99.
This is my new direction I am thinking about, I am planning to build a "Oh Sh%t" system for when I get caught in a situation where I have no choice but to shut her down.
My plan is to add a fogger system in front of the radiator to give the cooling system a chill and try to recover, even for a little while, until I can get out of the traffic or start rolling again.
Is this a good idea? Would NOS work for this? Is there a better way to get back under control of the temps?
Just looking for opinions as the car is in for paint now and I am planning to do Power Tour this year but have heard horror stories about the traffic on tours past.
I posted this on Facebook groups and received suggestions for my situation, tons of good information but as usual there are many opposing options so I need to sort through it all.
I know that one of the problems is airflow through the radiator when at idle and I need to address that.
The way I see it is that I have two issues, one is the heat generation in the engine, the other is heat removal in the cooling system, I need to find a balance I can live with.
My plan when it comes home from the paint shop is this,
1. Verify ignition timing curve. I have heard that I need to advance the timing and also that I need to retard the timing.
2. Look into better electric cooling fans. This is restricted to the space in the engine compartment and the fact that I have an 871 blower with large pulley and belt system. Many have said I need to go to a mechanical fan, can't happen with my setup.
3. Look into radiator construction, I have heard that I need a multi-pass radiator. I have now a single pass, 2 row B-Cool aluminum radiator. I have read quite a few posts on this issue and the same thing, many different options, pros and cons. Some say that I can get a 24 degree drop in the coolant returning to the engine but at a cost of reduced flow. Is this really a good idea?
So all you professional and shade tree engineers, please jump in and give me some ideas.