She got a little hot today driving home from school (Arizona)

jhankinson · 06-03-2008, 09:07 AM

I run the HD 4.3l radiator with Flex 220 fans WITH A/C here in south florida and mine doesnt overheat. The most mine has gotten to was 210 and thats cause i had a leak and got low on coolant. Added it back in and it went back down to 200 or lower. As said running 80mph on the highway i get about 210 with A/C full blast. It doesnt matter how good your fans are at 80mph they arent doing anything. If it is controlled by the computer...they kick off at about 20 to 25mph because you are getting more air than the fan will generate anyways. I would say you have a standard 4.3l radiator and yes it wont stand up to the job. The thicker HD radiator will do better...but if you are buying a new one go ahead with a nice aftermarket one...like the Howe or Summit ones. If i had to do it again I would have bought a better one just for better feelings.

98LSSOMO · 07-21-2008, 06:04 PM

Just saw this thread researching on radiators and willing to bet the cause of the overheating on the highway is.......the cowl hood. Tape it up or find a way to block the cowl hood and go for a ride.

Remember the principle of how a cowl hood is supposed to work. The faster you go, the more air from the base of the windshield is forced INTO the engine compartment. That air being forced in is the preventing the hot air from exiting. At low speeds there is not enough air pressure at the base of the windshield so the cowl helps hot air exit. Had the same experience in another car.

THEKING · 07-21-2008, 11:16 PM

well it shouldn be a problem here soon... I'm pretty sure i had a pussy as 4.3l rad, it was only like 3/4inch thick. I bought an all aluminum dual core thats around 3inches or so and i've recessed it into the core support. I just bought the condenser from jared to tie up my a/c as well.

I tried to stay away from the 4.3l because i have no room with the truck acessories, so this should clean up the engine bay quite a bit and eliminate all cooling problems. I'm planing on taking pictures before and after and i'll post em up.

Jonce007 · 07-22-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 98LSSOMO

Just saw this thread researching on radiators and willing to bet the cause of the overheating on the highway is.......the cowl hood. Tape it up or find a way to block the cowl hood and go for a ride.

Remember the principle of how a cowl hood is supposed to work. The faster you go, the more air from the base of the windshield is forced INTO the engine compartment. That air being forced in is the preventing the hot air from exiting. At low speeds there is not enough air pressure at the base of the windshield so the cowl helps hot air exit. Had the same experience in another car.

I'm about ready to install my cowl hood on the truck, it should be interesting to see how everything works. I will keep this tip in mind and possibly block off the rear of the hood.

06-03-2008, 09:07 AM	#51
jhankinson Registered User Age: 29 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 358 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: She got a little hot today driving home from school (Arizona) I run the HD 4.3l radiator with Flex 220 fans WITH A/C here in south florida and mine doesnt overheat. The most mine has gotten to was 210 and thats cause i had a leak and got low on coolant. Added it back in and it went back down to 200 or lower. As said running 80mph on the highway i get about 210 with A/C full blast. It doesnt matter how good your fans are at 80mph they arent doing anything. If it is controlled by the computer...they kick off at about 20 to 25mph because you are getting more air than the fan will generate anyways. I would say you have a standard 4.3l radiator and yes it wont stand up to the job. The thicker HD radiator will do better...but if you are buying a new one go ahead with a nice aftermarket one...like the Howe or Summit ones. If i had to do it again I would have bought a better one just for better feelings.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-21-2008, 06:04 PM	#52
98LSSOMO Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 82 Location: Orlando, FL User is: OffLine	Re: She got a little hot today driving home from school (Arizona) Just saw this thread researching on radiators and willing to bet the cause of the overheating on the highway is.......the cowl hood. Tape it up or find a way to block the cowl hood and go for a ride. Remember the principle of how a cowl hood is supposed to work. The faster you go, the more air from the base of the windshield is forced INTO the engine compartment. That air being forced in is the preventing the hot air from exiting. At low speeds there is not enough air pressure at the base of the windshield so the cowl helps hot air exit. Had the same experience in another car.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-21-2008, 11:16 PM	#53
THEKING More Go then Show Age: 24 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,176 Location: Scottsdale, AZ User is: OffLine	Re: She got a little hot today driving home from school (Arizona) well it shouldn be a problem here soon... I'm pretty sure i had a pussy as 4.3l rad, it was only like 3/4inch thick. I bought an all aluminum dual core thats around 3inches or so and i've recessed it into the core support. I just bought the condenser from jared to tie up my a/c as well. I tried to stay away from the 4.3l because i have no room with the truck acessories, so this should clean up the engine bay quite a bit and eliminate all cooling problems. I'm planing on taking pictures before and after and i'll post em up.
	[Reply w/Quote]

07-22-2008, 08:16 AM	#54
Jonce007 Registered User Age: 32 Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 325 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: She got a little hot today driving home from school (Arizona) Quote: Originally Posted by 98LSSOMO Just saw this thread researching on radiators and willing to bet the cause of the overheating on the highway is.......the cowl hood. Tape it up or find a way to block the cowl hood and go for a ride. Remember the principle of how a cowl hood is supposed to work. The faster you go, the more air from the base of the windshield is forced INTO the engine compartment. That air being forced in is the preventing the hot air from exiting. At low speeds there is not enough air pressure at the base of the windshield so the cowl helps hot air exit. Had the same experience in another car. I'm about ready to install my cowl hood on the truck, it should be interesting to see how everything works. I will keep this tip in mind and possibly block off the rear of the hood.
	[Reply w/Quote]