two heads

I built up a Mk I panel van for the 2002 Kidney Kar Rally useing all new and reco parts but we had major problems with engine temp. The 2lt motor we fitted was recoed and balanced, the gearbox was also rebuilt, we fitted a recored 2lt radiator,new water pump,hoses, belt. It had a new thermostat which we changed on route, we tried several different temps, we tried drilling small holes to increase flow. Nothing changed we still ran hot, hot enough to boil the fuel out of carby and fuel pump at control points (embarrasing leaving control points popping and banging up the road) hot enough to melt a plastic garbage bag to the carpet under my seat, hot enough to start worrying about that plastic fuel line that Ford saw fit to use, hot enough for us to have to pull out of 5000km 10day flat out rally that was heading to Longreach (even hotter than Newcastle where we started from) after the first day, which was heartbreaking after spending a full year building the car and raising the funds required. When we got back I pulled off the head thinking possible head gasket problems but not so. Has any one else had the same problem with a 2lt and what did you do to rectify. Thanks..

PS.Im a new member. This is a great site.Cheers.

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MLS

Think you might have a couple of different issues to resolve.

1. Melting plastic under the seat suggests you probably have extractors... if so an alloy heat sheild protecting the floor should rectify this.

Mark I's never had a lot of room in the engine bay with the 1300 let alone stuffing a 2 ltr in there. I see from thwe photo there have been some holes bored into the front cowl under the grill, seems like there probably still isn't enough air flow into or out of the engine bay to get rid of the built up heat.
Try getting some thermal wrap to put aroung the extractors (again assuming that is what is fitted), make sure you have as shrouding as possible to force air into both the radiator and engine bay.

If possible take the bonnet off the car and go for a decent run in it, does it get hot when doing this? If not, definitely air flow problems.

Do you run a thermo fan? is it big enough? is it big enough not to restrictor airflow when out on the highway?

Just a few areas to look at to start with.

eskyboi

Used to run my 2litre with the core of the thermostat ripped out just leaving the restriction. A 3 core radiator also helped keeping it cool as the standard fan just doesn't move much air and the extra waterflow helps in cooling.

And as MLS said.. heat under feet normally indicates extractors and some form of shielding is required. I melted the sole of a shoe once on a long high speed trip back from the Gold Coast once.. pulled over at the end of the journey and was a nice reddy white glow coming from the extractors.

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88 EA Falcon S
3.9litre CFI
5spd Manual

RIP my ol' esky.. many years of good service

4dnut

I used exhaust wrap to cure that problem in my MkII it used to melt the carpets on the floor.Also I ducted cold air direct to the carbs and that dropped the running temp.I have seen another guys car at a certain track (not me honest) which kept overheating and he had his electric fan going in reverse

302 vanman

i used a rad out of a fiat 128 twin cam worked very well with little mods

EBXR

I had similar problems with my last RS2000. The solution was to get a radiator especially made up for the car.

By the way - what about the water pump, is it flowing enough water, and what about scale in the water jackets?

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'67 Mustang V8 4sp... what fun to drive!

9psi EB

Is the timing right? If it's running too retarded, it can also have the same effect

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