Another thing to consider is going to the stock radiator. They are typically brass, and brass is better than aluminum at dispersing heat. I was sure an aluminum one would healp my car run cooler but the guys at "
www.squarebirds.org convinced me otherwise.
Of course the old radiator has to be in good condition.
Here's what I did to get mine cooler.
I took it out of the car, straightened all the mushed and dinged spots so the air would flow through better. It wasn't in bad shape, but every little bit helps.
I then hosed out the fins from the engine side to the front side - a little bit of dirt and such washed out there too.
I then laid the thing flat with the hose side up and filled it with distilled white vinegar. I let it set over night and then some - about 16 hours.
Next I heated it via propane torch all along the tubes, I could hear a little boiling vinegar every once in a while. You have to be very careful not to heat any air pockets because you could end up melting the welds.
I emptied it and flushed it thoroughly with the garden hose on high.
Then I reinstalled it and filled it with water, ran the motor until hot, and then drained it - did this several times to get all the anti freeze out.
Then I used Prestone radiator flush as recommended.
I flushed that out by draining the radiator, filling with water, running until it flowed hot, then draining the radiator again. I repeated that several times until it ran clear.
I topped it off with one and a half gallons of anti freeze and it's running much cooler. At stop and go cruising speed it's around 195. I took it down the highway and it's just over 190. Ran it up and down an open stretch of highway at 3000 rpm, stomped on it up hill to 4000 rpm and it stayed between 190 and 195. Heck of a lot better.
Another thing I've heard that works well is "Water wetter". It didn't help me much, but I've heard from other guys that it can lower your temp 10 degrees.
Dave J
