Hi all,
I just bought an '89 fiberglass Austin Healey 3000 replica with what I think is an '84 Ford 302(5L) engine, a C-4 transmission and a Ford 8- inch rear end. Cooling is handled by a 3-core aluminum rad, an electric "puller" fan and a stock water pump. Driving it home from Toronto to Ottawa after buying it, it ran between 193 and 197 degrees at speed. When I slowed down however and was in stop and go traffic, the temp gauge went through the roof burying the needle at least twice (althought the engine didn't shudder, knock or stall). As soon as I sped up, the temperature went right back down to the mid 190s. I wasn't sure if the problem was due to the fan or water pump since I didn't know if it was the faster turning of the water pump due to higher engine RPM or the greater airflow through the ran caused by the higher rate of speed that cooled the engine down at higher speed. Easy enough, I just revved the engine when I was stopped at a light. I found that, even stopped, if I kept the engine RPM over 2000, that kept the temp down. I think that indicates that the water pump is the culprit (since electric fan speed is not tied to engine RPM. So what should I get? My choices seem to be between an new stock pump, an aftermarket mechanical pump from vendors like Weiand, Edelbrock and Flow Kooler, or an electric pump for ProComp, Proform and others. Right now, I'm leaning toward an electric one (35 GPM) since they are not tied to engine RPM like the mechanical ones. I am looking for advice with respect to this problem. Which way should I go? Will I have problems with things like mounting my alternator or with the alternator belt (since the alternator will be the only accessory driven by a belt if I go electric)? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Richard