Over the past few weeks many parts of the country are getting mid-summer temperatures in the late spring and the temperatures do not show any sign of letting up any time soon. We sure hope you are all keeping your cool and keeping your classic from engine overheating as well in these scorching temperatures!
It can be common for older vehicles are to have an issue with their cooling system. Years of wear and tear on the radiator, hoses, belts, fans and even the engine block will eventually cause the system to run less efficiently. Some classic cars are also noted or notorious for running higher than desirable temperatures.
However, with the proper maintenance you can rest assured that your street machine stays cool through the sweltering summer season. Pay close attention to your vehicle’s temperature gauge. The first sign of your motor running hot, even a little, is the best time to do an inspection of your cooling system. Do not wait until it is too late to make a small repair.
Inspect Your Radiator
The most important part of your cooling system is your radiator. It is the heart of the cooling systems and is also exposed to many outside elements. It is in your best interest to keep the front of your radiator clean. Use a high-pressure hose to remove any dirt and debris that has become lodged in the radiator’s face.
In addition to keeping, it clean, you need to regularly inspect the rest of the tank and its cap for leaks or any signs of corrosion or wear and tear. You know you have a leak if you see any green or white build up on the tank or its tubes. We highly suggest repairing small radiator leaks with a hot or cold weld. Do not use radiator sealants as they can clog up the water flow which will eventually cause more problems.
In the event of a water flow problem in your radiator, drain your radiator and remove the bottom hose. Next flush water through your radiator and watch it drain. The water should flow evenly by draining as fast as it was added. To remove any blockage, you can back flush the radiator to remove any buildup. You may need to repeat this process depending on how old and what condition the radiator is in.
Checking the Radiator Coolant
Engine coolant needs changing because chemicals in the fluid break down and become less effective over time. This use ends up generating rust and sludge, which can damage the cooling system. If the cooling system becomes damaged, you risk the possibility of the engine overheating–a much costlier mistake than paying for a coolant flush.
Maintain Your Belts and Hoses
If possible, replace hoses and belts with every oil change. When there is a cooling system failure, it is often due to a busted belt or blown hose. Any belts that are visibly cracked or frayed should be replaced immediately. Same goes for any hoses that have signs of cracks, leaks or are bulging. Belts and hoses deteriorate over time even if your car or truck is rarely driven.
Replace Your Thermostat
Even though it is a super simple and inexpensive device, the thermostat is still like the brain of the cooling system. If it is not a belt or hose causing your problem, it is probably your thermostat. When they fail to open as your engine heats up your car will overheat quickly. It is a cheap fix that can prevent major repairs.
Check Your Oil for Coolant and Check Your Coolant for Oil
If either of these fluids is mixed in the other, you have real problems. That is a dead giveaway of a blown head gasket. A blown head gasket will allow these two fluids to mix and the engine to overheat and cause even more damage. If you are regularly maintaining your fluids, this should not be an issue as you will catch the problem early.
Find Your Freeze Plugs
Freeze/core plugs are the holes left behind in your engine block from when it was casted. They are often filled with a thin metal cup or other material to seal the engine. Over time they can begin to corrode causing a leak in the system. Depending on their placement on the engine inspecting them and repairing can be worlds apart. If they are hard to reach a partial or full engine removal may be required. If this is the case; you might consider a copper or rubber expanding plug for the repair. A few turns of a wrench might cure the problem.
Tune Your Carburetor
An out of tune carburetor can make your classic overheat. Make sure your carburetor and timing belt are both tuned to their ideal settings. If either one is out of order not only could your vehicle overheat, but the overall performance is going to suffer as well.
Check Your Heater Core
If you can see any leakage or weeping, then there is a good chance that your heater core is corroding. They are notorious for rusting from the inside out and can cause a real mess with your cooling system. Not all cars will have them, but if yours does and you are experiencing problems you can always install a heater core bypass as a temporary fix until you find a new heater core. We would like to emphasize the word temporary!
With regular maintenance and inspections, you should have no worries about being stranded on the side of the road with your hood up.
Other Modifications to Keep Your Engine Cooler
Add an Electric Fan
As the name suggests, electric fans are powered by your vehicle’s electrical system. Although they will place an additional draw on the electrical system, they are a more efficient alternative to mechanical fans and do not cause the dreaded parasitic horsepower loss.
Electric fans also can provide a better cooling solution for a classic car moving slowly or even stopped.
Add or Adjust The Fan Shroud
Whether you pick a mechanic or electrical fan it is important to remember to include a fan shroud to ensure that the air flows properly across the entire radiator. Fan shrouds are passive air-flow improvement devices. They mount behind your radiator and around your fan blades. In this position, they channel airflow directly over your radiator and improve cooling-rates in the process. The fan shroud makes the fan more efficient.
Add an Oil Cooler
An engine oil cooler is a heat-exchanging device just like a car radiator, but its core purpose is to maintain the temperature of the engine by removing excess heat from the engine oil. The car engine oil is responsible for protecting other components from wearing out. As for the engine oil cooler, it travels around pipes in an engine to regulate the temperature. It can reduce the oil temperature by as much as 30 degrees. Engine oil cooler also assists in maintaining the right level of oil viscosity.
More Oil Capacity
If your classic car is still running on the higher temperature range, you may want to consider a larger or supplemental oil sump. In many cars the standard engine carries five quarts of oil, but many after-market suppliers can provide for up to seven quarters sumps with the added oil providing additional cooling capacity.
Finally
Remember staying cool and operating in the proper temperature range is the key for optimum car performance. That can be said for both you and your classic car.
It’s good to know that you can use a high-pressure hose to deep clean your car’s radiator. I would like to get my car’s radiator cleaned out this weekend because I think it’s having a negative effect on my car’s engine. I’ll have to reach out to a mechanic this week to see how much that would cost.