need a new radiator

[1987cp]

And you just don't understand how HARD I push my cars.

This is quite possible. There's absolutely no opportunity to do anything remotely like that in most street driving (at least if you value your driver's license). Scaring passengers is bad, too. Actually, I'd be afraid to autocross either of the cars I've got running right now - the Vic would probably blow my crappy little engine I have in there, and the LTD would probably chuck body and suspension parts, but only after bending the exhaust all to heck and maybe busting the tranny as well.

I'm given to understand that it's not entirely uncommon to spin SBF motors past 8 grand, but I think the context is usually a dragstrip rather than autocross, and of course I don't know what cooling arrangements they all have.

[grandwagon]

mrltd, what rad are you running in the wagon?

[mrltd]

This is quite possible. There's absolutely no opportunity to do anything remotely like that in most street driving (at least if you value your driver's license). Scaring passengers is bad, too. Actually, I'd be afraid to autocross either of the cars I've got running right now - the Vic would probably blow my crappy little engine I have in there, and the LTD would probably chuck body and suspension parts, but only after bending the exhaust all to heck and maybe busting the tranny as well.

I'm given to understand that it's not entirely uncommon to spin SBF motors past 8 grand, but I think the context is usually a dragstrip rather than autocross, and of course I don't know what cooling arrangements they all have.

Scaring passengers is easy. You can do that at the speed limit and under.
It's also very easy to run at the rev limit on the street. It's called not shifting. And you haven't driven on the parkway or beltway around here.

mrltd, what rad are you running in the wagon?

Stock replacement 2 row aluminum.

[gadget73]

You're not running the HD pump are you? If you are, maybe switching out to the non-HD pump would help reduce the cooling system flow enough to not blow stuff up. Electric pump would also do the job very effectively.

[mrltd]

You're not running the HD pump are you? If you are, maybe switching out to the non-HD pump would help reduce the cooling system flow enough to not blow stuff up. Electric pump would also do the job very effectively.

I had a standard pump. After blowing the water pump gaskets out around the outlets I went with the HD and the two extra bolts.

[grandwagon]

and it has held up ok?

[1987cp]

Water pump gaskets FTL. The one time I used a gasket in recent memory, I got to pull the pump back off to fix a leak. My water pumps typically get installed with RTV and nothing else.

[91waggin]

If it's the paper fiber gaskets, you're supposed to install them dry, IIRC. I don't like the idea of RTV chunks breaking off inside the cooling system and clogging radiator passages.

[mrltd]

and it has held up ok?

It's leaking now, but on a more sanely driven vehicle it'd do fine. I've had this one for about 3 years.

[1987cp]

If it's the paper fiber gaskets, you're supposed to install them dry, IIRC. I don't like the idea of RTV chunks breaking off inside the cooling system and clogging radiator passages.

:lol: Supposedly you're also supposed to install paper waterneck gaskets dry. One of the first things I learned about working on cars was that that doesn't work. RTV and no gasket ==> no leaks. No idea who comes up with these brilliant ideas like using paper to hold in water under pressure ...

[grandwagon]

i hear ya scott

[351m]

:lol: Supposedly you're also supposed to install paper waterneck gaskets dry. One of the first things I learned about working on cars was that that doesn't work. RTV and no gasket ==> no leaks. No idea who comes up with these brilliant ideas like using paper to hold in water under pressure ...

How do you get leaks? I have installed lots of water pumps and T-stat housings with the paper gaskets and never had leaks... Must be something funky going on down on that side of the friggin' border...

[Lincolnmania]

i use the paper gaskets with ultra grey or ultra black on both sides, never had a problem, you should also put rtv on both sides of the gasket on the plate on the back of the water pump

[mitymerc]

An electric waterpump is a great idea.
I wouldn't recommend it for a DD, but I have an 89$ Moroso pump on my capri I use it to drive the pump & mech fan. It's been on the car for around 10 years. It is controlled by a digital gauge\controller. I have driven it 100 + miles to race it no prob. I 've been in heavy NJ traffic, the DC beltway @ rush hour, stop & go in Philly, mountain driving etc....
In short, an appropriate street type pump is a great way to go, if you can stomach the cost.