Hey Ray, thanks for the heads-up. IMHO, tech contributions like this
are good for the "List"
Jack
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-healeys@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-healeys@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Raymond Carbone
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 7:29 PM
To: healeys@autox.team.net
Subject: Cool Run
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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