Hey guys, thanks in advance for reading!
I've got an '81 40, recently did a bunch of upgrades to make the cruiser more kid friendly as an open cruiser in Florida isn't much fun for kids given 90+ degree weather 9 months of the year and T-storms almost daily!
I added a trollhole top, bench seat, metal tech cage and lastly a Vintage Air A/C. I have the cruiser desmogged (I performed in 2010) with a Trollhole carb. When I replaced the A/C I went ahead and replaced the water pump, temp sending unit, new hoses, thermostat and housing (found it was cracked). It has a stock 81 fan (nylon) and fan clutch (works).
She is a beauty now... but I'm now very close to overheating and have had to stop driving a couple times after a quick 5-7 mile drive as it was approaching "H". I've read several posts about overheating (and know a fair amount) and I'm hoping that this isn't caused by lack of airflow due to the new condenser in front of the radiator (recommend location by VA system).
I "burped" the system tonight and got ZERO air. I used an infrared gun to check temps. With no A/C and idle temps were steady in the 125-135F at the top radiator, about 15 degrees lower at bottom of radiator and 140s near the temp sensor. With A/C on temps jumped about 10-15 degrees and then added 1500rpm and temps quickly jumped to 180's at top of radiator and higher near the temp sensor. It actually caused the "burp" funnel to overflow due to expansion and spilled causing the belt to slip so I stopped it before actually getting to "H".
I know there are 50 things that "can" cause overheating, but my cruiser gauge was usually about 3mm from "C" before I did all this work. Could it really be all from the condenser?? My cruiser is an 81 and a fair number came with A/C from the factory?
Given top of radiator and hose are so hot the water pump and thermostat have to be working (correct?)? The temp sensor seems correct, I would assume 180-190 are very close to overheating (correct?). She purrs like a kitten and there is no air in cooling system or fluid in the oil so head gasket isn't blown (yet).
If the condenser is causing all this what are my best options? Better new bigger radiator? I don't think an electric fan is going to do enough. Can I move the condenser? There have got to be a lot of 40's out there with VA A/C systems... I can't imagine they all overheat!
Thanks for help!
I've got an '81 40, recently did a bunch of upgrades to make the cruiser more kid friendly as an open cruiser in Florida isn't much fun for kids given 90+ degree weather 9 months of the year and T-storms almost daily!
I added a trollhole top, bench seat, metal tech cage and lastly a Vintage Air A/C. I have the cruiser desmogged (I performed in 2010) with a Trollhole carb. When I replaced the A/C I went ahead and replaced the water pump, temp sending unit, new hoses, thermostat and housing (found it was cracked). It has a stock 81 fan (nylon) and fan clutch (works).
She is a beauty now... but I'm now very close to overheating and have had to stop driving a couple times after a quick 5-7 mile drive as it was approaching "H". I've read several posts about overheating (and know a fair amount) and I'm hoping that this isn't caused by lack of airflow due to the new condenser in front of the radiator (recommend location by VA system).
I "burped" the system tonight and got ZERO air. I used an infrared gun to check temps. With no A/C and idle temps were steady in the 125-135F at the top radiator, about 15 degrees lower at bottom of radiator and 140s near the temp sensor. With A/C on temps jumped about 10-15 degrees and then added 1500rpm and temps quickly jumped to 180's at top of radiator and higher near the temp sensor. It actually caused the "burp" funnel to overflow due to expansion and spilled causing the belt to slip so I stopped it before actually getting to "H".
I know there are 50 things that "can" cause overheating, but my cruiser gauge was usually about 3mm from "C" before I did all this work. Could it really be all from the condenser?? My cruiser is an 81 and a fair number came with A/C from the factory?
Given top of radiator and hose are so hot the water pump and thermostat have to be working (correct?)? The temp sensor seems correct, I would assume 180-190 are very close to overheating (correct?). She purrs like a kitten and there is no air in cooling system or fluid in the oil so head gasket isn't blown (yet).
If the condenser is causing all this what are my best options? Better new bigger radiator? I don't think an electric fan is going to do enough. Can I move the condenser? There have got to be a lot of 40's out there with VA A/C systems... I can't imagine they all overheat!
Thanks for help!