You can't solve cooling problems generically or by speculation, you have to
know the details of your problem.
1. Know your temperatures, don't depend on the stock gauge. You
may not even have a real problem unless your loosing coolant during
operation or residual heat boilover.
2. It's very helpful to know the temperature drop across your
radiator under different conditions. This will allow you to discuss the
relative efficiency of your radiator. It's also helpful to test with
different size restricting washers to alter the water velocity. This will
help tell you if more flow (velocity) would be helpful or if the coolant
flow already passes through too fast for the radiator to be effective and
efficient. A thermostat does this but it's a variable and you don't need
it until you get to the end of your task. You can also be too cool which
is harmful to your engine and causes rapid buildup of sludge.
3. Closing off the two side passages beside the radiator will
require more of the air to go through the core and reduce the build up of
air pressure in the engine compartment behind the radiator. Stagnation of
air flow is a major cause of increased temperature at increased speeds.
4. Relocating the pressure relief cap to the right header tank
(water pump inlet side) will reduce the effective pressure at the cap and
make the system less likely to pop off. In conjunction with a catch tank,
it will also keep your system fuller - less air & steam.
5. Propylene Glycol antifreeze and de-ionized or distilled water
are the best coolants to reduce corrosion.
Tom Hall
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