Cooling Issue - 1964 Dart GT - 273 with automatic and A/C
Hello all. Apologies for the length of the post, but I wanted to be thorough. I'm having a cooling issue that I can't seem to chase down, was hoping for some insight from those farther along the Mopar journey than I am. Pictures are below.
We have a '64 Dart with a 273 and push-button automatic. Also has AC and power steering. I'm not sure if the AC is factory/original, but the compressor is Mopar and there is a Mopar branded evaporator/blower mounted under the dash. The AC is currently disabled, as I had to repair some leaks and I need to charge it (but wanted to address the cooling issues first). The radiator is an aftermarket aluminum radiator, and has two 1-inch rows, which I've heard is enough for a small block V-8. It has a 7-blade fan that is about 17" in diameter, with about a 1-inch overhang on the passenger side of the radiator. No shroud, which I've heard is normal for early A-Bodies. The radiator core is roughly 16" high by 18" wide, and the mounting point on the radiator support panel are about 21.25" on center.
Anyway, the car runs at ideal temp when cruising, right up the middle of the gauge, but approaches the hot side of the temp gauge on a 90+ degree day and/or in stop and go traffic. Quickly enough that I either find a way to get moving again or pull over for a cool down. So starting with the simple stuff first, I pulled the thermostat and found that it had failed open, which I had suspected. I replaced it, but this didn't resolve the issue. Next, thinking the radiator may be too small (and wanting something more stock in appearance anyway), I ordered the radiator from Classic Industries that's supposed to fit the '64 Dart with a V-8. It was too big, and didn't align with any of the factory mounting holes. Next I installed an electric fan with a relay, and this didn't help. Part of the problem with the electric fan is that I only had 3.2" of clearance between the radiator surface and the fan pulley. So that limited my airflow options, although the one I bought was a slim fan rated for over 1900 cfm. Then I pulled the fan and reinstalled the mechanical fan because the electric fan didn't help and it sounds like a 747 on final approach :) .
So I have some questions.
1 - Is it possible that somebody swapped a V-8 into a Slant-6 car, and there is a different radiator support panel for the V-8 car? I ask because a larger radiator will have to draw air through the same sized opening in that panel anyway.
2 - Is there a different water pump/pulley for a V-8 car with AC?
3 - Are there any known cooling issues with these engines? For example, I know that it's easy to incorrectly orient or 'flip' the head gaskets on a Ford 289 if you don't pay close attention, which results in overheating issues.
Thanks in advance for any insight you may be able to provide.
Hello all. Apologies for the length of the post, but I wanted to be thorough. I'm having a cooling issue that I can't seem to chase down, was hoping for some insight from those farther along the Mopar journey than I am. Pictures are below.
We have a '64 Dart with a 273 and push-button automatic. Also has AC and power steering. I'm not sure if the AC is factory/original, but the compressor is Mopar and there is a Mopar branded evaporator/blower mounted under the dash. The AC is currently disabled, as I had to repair some leaks and I need to charge it (but wanted to address the cooling issues first). The radiator is an aftermarket aluminum radiator, and has two 1-inch rows, which I've heard is enough for a small block V-8. It has a 7-blade fan that is about 17" in diameter, with about a 1-inch overhang on the passenger side of the radiator. No shroud, which I've heard is normal for early A-Bodies. The radiator core is roughly 16" high by 18" wide, and the mounting point on the radiator support panel are about 21.25" on center.
Anyway, the car runs at ideal temp when cruising, right up the middle of the gauge, but approaches the hot side of the temp gauge on a 90+ degree day and/or in stop and go traffic. Quickly enough that I either find a way to get moving again or pull over for a cool down. So starting with the simple stuff first, I pulled the thermostat and found that it had failed open, which I had suspected. I replaced it, but this didn't resolve the issue. Next, thinking the radiator may be too small (and wanting something more stock in appearance anyway), I ordered the radiator from Classic Industries that's supposed to fit the '64 Dart with a V-8. It was too big, and didn't align with any of the factory mounting holes. Next I installed an electric fan with a relay, and this didn't help. Part of the problem with the electric fan is that I only had 3.2" of clearance between the radiator surface and the fan pulley. So that limited my airflow options, although the one I bought was a slim fan rated for over 1900 cfm. Then I pulled the fan and reinstalled the mechanical fan because the electric fan didn't help and it sounds like a 747 on final approach :) .
So I have some questions.
1 - Is it possible that somebody swapped a V-8 into a Slant-6 car, and there is a different radiator support panel for the V-8 car? I ask because a larger radiator will have to draw air through the same sized opening in that panel anyway.
2 - Is there a different water pump/pulley for a V-8 car with AC?
3 - Are there any known cooling issues with these engines? For example, I know that it's easy to incorrectly orient or 'flip' the head gaskets on a Ford 289 if you don't pay close attention, which results in overheating issues.
Thanks in advance for any insight you may be able to provide.