Radiator air flow

[lutronjim]

I have an LC9 in my 70 ss. The extra cam timing stuff on the front gives me no room for a puller fan. The back of the engine is less than an inch from the firewall so I can't move it rearward. I have a large Spal pusher in front of the AC condenser.

There is quite a gap between the radiator and the condenser and a lot of the air pushed by the fan escapes before going through the radiator. I am installing a new crossflow radiator and was wondering if there was some material (sponge, etc.) that I might use to seal the gap.

While it hasn't run hot, once the fan turns on like at a stop light it doesn't quit until I am roiling again.

Atlanta area gets pretty hot in the summer.

Thanks

[jimijam00]

Yes. Hit up your local hardware store. If your fan doesn't push the most CFM possible, I'd upgrade it the max you can find since pushers w/o a shroud aren't as efficient. Electric fans running at idle when the engine is up to temp and shutting off when you are moving is normal. Oh yeah, since water cools better than antifreeze, I'd be running 80% water 10 months out of the year there.

[Grumpy old man]

Always use 50/50 mix . No matter if you live in Seattle or Miami

https://knowhow.napaonline.com/water...ze-safest-car/

[Richard]

Putting a larger fan in will not solve your problem. You need to seal the open area around the condenser to the core support so air is directed through the radiator. A metal shroud would be best. You could use foil tape for a temp fix to see if it works. People run into a similar problem with dual pull fans running only one at a lower temp. A lot of the air is pulled from the engine compartment through the static fan instead of through the radiator.

[Andy4639]

They sell a black foam that works great for this. I would also recommend the grille to support covers to force more air through.
I can a test to sealing off the radiator and forcing the air through it.

[GASoline71]

"70 ss"?

Gary

[geezer#99]

Must be a super six Gary!

[jimijam00]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Always use 50/50 mix.

Nope. Haven't subscribed to that myth for at least 30 years now. There are many other things on the market that lubricate and prevent corrosion just fine when used with a lot of distilled water. You should check them out sometime.

[lutronjim]

GASoline71 & geezer#99

70 ss - 70 step side
Must be a super six Gary! - LC9 is an LS 5.3 for trucks

[tdangle]

Originally Posted by jimijam00

Nope. Haven't subscribed to that myth for at least 30 years now. There are many other things on the market that lubricate and prevent corrosion just fine when used with a lot of distilled water. You should check them out sometime.

My understanding is that plain water releases it's heat best but the coolant/antifreeze raises the temp of boiling. I've heard a product called water wetter also helps. Never tried it myself

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by tdangle

My understanding is that plain water releases it's heat best but the coolant/antifreeze raises the temp of boiling. I've heard a product called water wetter also helps. Never tried it myself

Agreed. And pressurized coolant has an even higher boiling point.

I tried Water Wetter many years ago in an old Miata we owned. I did not notice any difference....

[weq92f]

.

I used 12"x12" rubber sheets from Summitracing.com

I bought two different thicknesses and found the thinner one far better. It was 1/8" I believe and the 1/4" was just too thick. These sheets were cut into the size needed to cover the gap and secured with bolts to my condenser, which had a bunch of perfect sized "bolt holes" around its perimeter. This treatment along with my core-to-grill cover panels helped both my cooling and the A/C performance.

If you'd like some pics I know I have them somewhere...let me know.

Hth,

-klb

[Grumpy old man]

Have you had the internal debate water vs. antifreeze for your car’s cooling system? Depending on where you live, the choice may have already been made for you by the weather you’re forced to deal with. Cold winters mean antifreeze is necessary to keep your engine from icing up internally. In the summer months, however, and in warmer climates, it’s not always so clear cut.


Different Boiling Points

The water in your car’s cooling system is charged with maintaining a steady operating temperature that hovers within the most efficient range for generating power and making efficient use of fuel. Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, but that’s only if it’s pure, distilled water that’s free from contaminants and minerals that can lower that boiling point substantially.

Most antifreeze is based on ethylene glycol, a form of alcohol that features a boiling point of 387 degrees Fahrenheit. Obviously, your engine won’t ever reach that temperature during normal operation, but the lower boiling point of water vs. antifreeze means that there’s a higher chance of steam forming inside your cooling system, which considerably reduces efficiency and could cause your engine temp to spike in an extreme situation.


Corrosion Is an Issue

Another issue when comparing water vs. antifreeze is corrosion. Remember those mineral deposits mentioned above? Over time, if you use tap water inside your car’s radiator the deposit build-up can seriously impact its operation. Mineral-free distilled water is a safer bet, but you still run into the problem of rust and corrosion forming on metal cooling system components. Antifreeze gets around this issue, as the ethylene glycol does not corrode most metals, providing a protective coating that will extend the life of your engine even during harsh, hot weather. It also contains additives that work specifically to prevent corrosion from taking place, and sometimes your engine might call for a specific type of antifreeze to make sure the necessary additives are used


Mix It Up

What’s the best solution when deciding between water vs. antifreeze for your car’s cooling system? Try using both. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is the most commonly used coolant in modern automobiles. The high boiling point of antifreeze plus its anti-corrosion additives are a good complement to water’s natural cooling capabilities (as long as its distilled water). Plus, there’s the added benefit of not having to worry about a sudden cold-snap freezing up your engine.


https://knowhow.napaonline.com/water...ze-safest-car/

[BigBird05]

I learned a long time ago the effects of running water in an aluminum engine. The manufacturers will void your warranty if you don't use antifreeze.

[72c20customcamper]

Only time to run straight water is on the track . Southern temps you can get by with 70/30 up here where I live 50/50 minimum.