HELP Cooling Grimlins

[mach1197203]

I have a 96' gt with bullit brand mufflers, two middle cats gutted, k&N filter, new style intake manifold, hypertech 160 thermostate, new water pump, and new radiator, a snyper tuner with a mild tune. The problem is that even before we put the tuner on it it was running hot. I got the tunner on and all is great with the fans coming on at 160 on the low side and 195 on the high speed. I have checked the coolant for exhaust leaking into it from a blown head gasket(no luck). Plugs are good. not loosing coolant anywhere. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[DropTopPony]

Re: Cooling Grimlins

any air in the system? meaning did you burb it?
I will take off the cap and turn on the heat full blast while stepping on the gas peddle slightly for a few mins. That usually removes any air in the system.

 

[mach1197203]

Re: Cooling Grimlins

Did that no air in the system, also checked the cap to make sure that is holding proper pressure, good there. the cooling system is also been pressure checked and is holding good. I have found some people talking about the fan setup being weak. Anyone know what to replace it with so that i will flow more air? also checked to see if there was anything blocking the air flow through the radiator and the condensor all good.

 

[Willis_98GT]

arnt the 96/97s notorious for having coolant problems.

 

[mach1197203]

Yes the 96' cars do have a problem with that. I have been doing some looking at the 98 radiator and fan setup. has anyone done this swap yet? Or know how hard this is to swap out? It looks like it should be a striaght bolt up.

 

[greenscobie86]

My 96 did the same thing....
I tuned it with an Xcal 2 to lower the fan temps + a 180 tstat and it seemed to help the problem somewhat.

The fan kicks on more often due to the lower temp setting... I'm sure the extra stress on the fan motor isn't good but other than swapping an 97+ style radiator/fan there isn't much choice.

As far as I know the 97+ style radiator swap isn't too hard at all. You just need to modify the top and bottom brackets slightly, and move the ABS unit a little. And the stock plastic valence cover may not fit without some trimming... Not too hard to do IMO.

The reason for this is: Ford changed the rad supports for 97, which modifed all of the radiator and overflow bottle mounting points.

Hope this helps you a bit. :thumbsup:

 

[DropTopPony]

Find a 97 fan assembly, its not a hard swap and the 97 is an improvement over the 96.

 

[GaryG]

im having this issue right now w/ my '96. thanks for the tips

 

[DropTopPony]

There was a silent recall/fix for the 96's if you had an issue and complained to the dealer they would give you the 97 radiator and fan setup for free.... but only if you complained.

 

[GaryG]

wont be an issue w/ me as i work at a ford dealership...ill just bug them about it

 

[greenscobie86]

There was a silent recall/fix for the 96's if you had an issue and complained to the dealer they would give you the 97 radiator and fan setup for free.... but only if you complained.

I wonder if they will still honor it at this time?

I doubt it, since my car has like 90k and is modified...

 

[mach1197203]

i checked into that and recalls have a seven year statue of limitations so I doubt it unless you are in good with someone that can push something through at the dealer for you

 

[95_BOSS]

I'm just throwing this out there because I just went through it with my 4.6 just last week.

Are you totally for sure your car is getting hot? I though mine was too and ended up being
a bad temp sensor.

 

[mach1197203]

I have autometer ultra lite gauges in the car for the oil and the water temp because the factory was are not that reliable. As far as I can tell the unit is good though. will check it today car didnt move yesterday, too hot no a/c and black leather dont mix.