COOLING PROBLEMS

I had the same problem after I put the 302 and C4 into my '60. I have a Griffin alum radiator with 180 degree thermo. I now run a 12" shrouded fan and it's not quite enough. It's all the room I have between the rad and pump pulley tho.

Anyway, you didn't mention what tranny you had. My C4 has stock stall speed and it's putting a load on teh engine at idle. I have seen a big difference in temps just idling in neutral versus in gear. I need a higher stall and a larger fan if I can find one under 3" thick.

Lower temp thermostats won't help if the car isn't cooling efficiently to begin with. Just takes longer to get to the high temp. Your 190 degree number is a good one. The engine operates pretty good in the 180-190 range. Get the air to it coller and that makes the diff too.

There are a few guys on the board with 60-63 Falcons that have already dealt with these probs too. I suspect that making more horses in that tight compartment with uncoated headers and a tight converter aren't helping our case at all.

Well, I just bought a 16" electric fan off e-bay. Because of the added thickness, I'll probably have to mount it as a pusher rather than a puller. I will also try that plate attached to the impeller (thanks again falcondude!)in the water pump. I'll let you guys know if it solves my problem. For now I'll stick with the 180 thermo.