Cooling issues

I am just about at my wits end. I have a modified 88gt mustang. My mods are as follows:



347 stroker kit from Coast High

Edelbrock Performer Heads that have been worked

Trickflow Track Heat intake w/ 70mm TB

AOD with 3000 Stall and Shift Kit

3.73 gears

24lb injectors

trick flow cam (mild) if I remember 221/225 .499/.510 ? also have 1.7 roller rockers



These are not all of my mods but just trying to give you an idea of what I have.



My issue is COOLING or lack thereof. It does't matter if I am sitting still or running 75 down the interstate.. it doesn't cool very well at all. I even have a friend at Ford, built my motor and tranny, very sharp guy who has pretty much the same problem and we need a solution. I almost said affordable but, at this point I would be willing to pay whatever just so I can cruise and not worry about overheating.

We both put in Granatelli aluminum radiators --- 3" thick, 38" wide, 1.25" extruded aluminum cores.

We both have tried a series of different thermostats( 160,180) and cooling fans. I currently have a 160 degree thermostat with the Flex-a-lite Black Magic EXTREME. This is their mack daddy cooling fan. Suppose to move like 3600-3800cfm. I have tried the water wetter, tried cooldex to see if it cooled better. Just don't know. I've heard my thermostat is too low and the water doesn't stay in the radiator long enough to cool. I need someone with greater resources than I have to give me a solution. Please help.

I'm sure someone has a combination that works. BE Cool has a kit, Radiator, Cooling fans (Dual) but I think it is over $1000.00. I have considered pulling off the Black Magic fan and trying to fit a Dual fan system in place. I heard SPAL has one for the mustang. Also, I am running a factor type water pump. Do you think one that moves more water would help?

Lastly, I have underdrive pullies in place which could explain the overheating while idling but like I said even when I'm going down the interstate, it gets what I would call hot. my temps in the summer with the A/c on are 230-240 while idling and 210 while going down the interstate. These figures are with the a/c on, which is a must in South Carolina during the summer. I have even heard the aluminum radiator may be an issue. I might try putting the factory radiator and fan on to see what happens. I just have invested a lot into the motor and don't want to warp heads or crack anything. I am really looking for a proven combination; water pump, radiator, cooling fan etc. that WORKS. Anyone who has dealt with and overcame this problem, I would love to hear what you did.

Thanks


Andy

the AOD itself can generate a lot of heat...do you have an external transmission cooler?

were the head gaskets put on backwards by mistake?

try putting the stock water pump pulley back on, see if it helps any before u throw more money at it.....

is the system bled properly? proper anti-freeze mix? something clogged somewhere? was the block short-filled?


[addsig]

whats the timing set at? If its too far advanced this can also lead to overheating.

As mentioned use an external cooler for the tranny. Reinstall the stock pulleys(until you get this sorted out) to speed up the WP and ALT, as you need the extra juice to run the elec fan. You should be using a larger output alt anyway.

I don't see the fan being a problem as at highway speed the air rushing through the rad should be plenty to cool the engine. I suspect either your WP isn't turning fast enough, thermostat is upside down or the heads gaskets are on backwards.

What's your intiial timing? Fuel pressure?

BTW since your mechanic can't seem to get his own to cool properly you should get a 2nd opinion.

WOW! Thanks for all the replies. First, yes there is an external transmission cooler. I do know that the AOD with a stall will generate heat and it was mentioned by my mechanic at the time that an external cooler was a necessity. Secondly, I know that everyone makes mistakes, but I was present when the heads were put on and the gaskets were put on correctly. My mechanic friend is very meticulous and has probably over the 20+ years working on fords and almost exclusively on Mustangs has built over 100 5.0's. I really trust this guy! The system has been bled, I put the thermostat in with the spring towards the engine, and it has about a 50/50 mix of antifreeze. I have the timing at about 12-13 degrees and I do run a high output alt out of a Cobra Mustang. Lastly, I don't think that my friend can't get his to run cool, he is just always busy and he has like 3 other cars that he drives daily. He kinda races this 88 convertible and just don't think he has a real interest in fixing it. I do know that he said he has tried a couple different thermostats and has tried a cooling fan or two. Lastly, I even put a Cobra front grille insert thinking it would allow more air. No real difference noticed. Thanks everyone for the help. Just wondering if strokers run hotter?