Cooling Problem...

[Rompn]

I have a cooling problem with my 79' Cherokee. I am going to upgrade the entire cooling system within the next couple of months but I was invited to go down to Mexico this weekend. All I have to take down there is the Cherokee. The Cherokee has always gotten warm since I rebuilt the motor and when I had the radiator flushed, the guy said that there was a very tiny leak in it. Is this small leak my problem? I have a carter high flow water pump and a 160" thermostat. I am going to put on an electric fan before I go but that's not going to be enough. Any ideas? Thanks.
Pat
bmxtrme@aol.com

[Stuka]

The small leak shouldent be a problem as long as you keep it topped off. How far away is the place your going to be going too?

As for getting it to run cooler, you can try advancing your timing a bit. This will help the motor run cooler.

What temp is it running at now?

[64Trvlr]

I'd say fixing the small leak would be the first thing to do, then going to a 180-195 degree thermostat will help. Is the radiator cap good? Are the radiator and heater hoses good? Do you still have the fan shroud? Are the belts tight? Is the radiator full with about a 50/50 mix?
:cool:

[ October 15, 2001: Message edited by: 64Trvlr ]

[Rompn]

The place I am going is 150 miles away. I am not worried about the length but the wait on the way back. I was told between 3-4 hours wait to get back into the US. The Cherokee will not like this. The motor has new belts,hoses and radiator cap. I do not have the fan shroud on it cause the P.O. got rid of it. I thought advancing the timing would increase heat not cool it. Any other ideas? Thanks.
Pat
bmxtrme@aol.com

[64Trvlr]

Fix the leak and change the thermostat to 180-195 degrees, then go from there.
:cool:

[Stuka]

Trav: running a hotter stat would make his engine run hotter...he wants to cool it...

[64Trvlr]

Stuka
A hotter thermostat holds water in the block longer, and also keeps it in the radiator longer giving it time to give up heat. It will run cooler this way.
:cool:

[reddog]

Redline water-wetter along with a 70-30 water/antifreeze mix.

Kerry

[aztommot]

Advancing the timing will increase your temperature try retarding it 3degrees and if you have a clutch type fan maybe the clutch is not engaging anymore but that could also be a by-product of not having a fan shroud. If you don't have clutch type fan the missing fan shroud should do the trick. My .02 :D

[Rompn]

Thanks guys. I am going to attempt to do all of the above before the trip this weekend.
Pat
bmxtrme@aol.com