This Monday I, in my Healey, participated in our towns Memorial Day parade.
Under a brilliant sun, temperatures soared into the mid to high 80s and, as
most parades, forward movement was very slow. To my delight, although the
Healey's temperature climbed to 195F, it went no higher. Of cause, the
temperature did surge well past 200F after engine shut-down, but, there was no
sight of the large amounts of antifreeze which usually puddles after similar
runs.
During the past week, I have read an internet article on a Morgan site that
struck a cord. As a result, I cut two straight pieces of mettle, approximately
4" wide and the length of the radiator, notched for the radiator mounting bolts
and applied to each side of the radiator. These vertical barriers, went some
distance to eliminate the air escape from the end of the fan blades and
resulted in more air-pull through the radiator. As an addition, I mounted a
quart plastic container on the left barrier and routed the radiator overflow
toward this half filled container. After filling the radiator to its neck, I
was concerned that the standard mettle-sealed cap would not create sufficient
vacuum to pull the expelled fluid back into the radiator. Well, no problem, no
puddle, and after the radiator cooled, no need to refill.
I am not sure which modification contributed most, however, I can say that the
combination seems to be working.
Next experiment...has anyone experienced increasing temperature during extended
high-speed drives? According to the same article, the problem may be caused by
a high pressure build-up within the engine compartment which blocks air from
passing freely through the radiator. This is not a new problem and the works
cars seem to have addressed this problem by introducing fender vents.
According to the same Morgan article, this problem can be addressed through the
implementation of a panel, attached to the bottom of the front cross member and
frame, which extends almost to the pan. This panel would eliminate air from
being pushed up from below and pressurizing the engine compartment enough to
diminish air flow through the radiator. I will report my results.
Ray Carbone
'64BJ8
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