Engine 1988 Foxbody - Overheating Summer

[MDrisc]

Have a freshly built 302 back on the road. 1988 GT Hatchback. Was have some engine temp issues towards end of summer.

Quick rundown of some new parts

AFR 165cc Cylinder Heads
Stage 1 Trick Flow Camshaft
Edelbrock RPM intake
Stock block no boring or anything
Pro-M 75mm Mass Air Meter (24lb Injectors)
Cold Air Intake
Ford 24 lb fuel injectors
Champion 3-row radiator
Mishimoto dual 12” electric fans -2300 CFM
3G Alternator upgrade
new thermostat, sensors, hoses, gaskets etc.
Cowl hood

Had it on the road towards end of summer. On a really hot day it would run solid around 195F for 30 or so minutes with no issues but then after that would slowly creep up pushing past 210. This would be in stop and go traffic.

Have a 180 degree thermostat. Changed that and flushed system. Fans are running correct direction and just have them coming on at all times right now.

But now that it is cooler out and Fall here (around 60F) things have been running cooler. Seem to hover around 180-200. There was one day that was little hotter and I noticed it creeping up a little more closer to 210 so I just stopped and opened hood. After 10 mins or so engine temp seemed to drop just releasing the heat.

With all this said anyone have issues like this and maybe just these electric fans not being enough. Should I convert back to the stock mechanical one? Or are there other ways to get heat out of engine bay. I’m reading temps from autometer mechanical gauge. I have sensor tee’d in at front of manifold on driver side.

Note also since car is still being put together I don’t have the air dam and some of the other plastic parts back on. Didn’t think this would make huge difference but have seen comments about that. Maybe in someone else’s experience they have seen it make a big difference?

Just looking for any thoughts and comments. Like I said sort of a non issue now in the Fall but figuring issue will be back in the Summer.

Thanks in advance

 

[2000xp8]

If it doesn't heat up while cruising it's probably the fans, 2300cfm isn't a lot.
There is a reason most people run real ford fans, like the contour which i believe is like 3500cfm.
Or just go back to the stock fan and shroud.

 

[Monkeybutt2000]

210* ism't overheating at all. I agree with above those Mishimoto fans are garbage. I just swapped Ford focus fans in my with great results.

 

[nickyb]

I live on the surface of the sun (nevada) ,will get to 118 somedays. I got a black magic fan that pulls 3400 cfm.
No overheating in traffic with a/c on.for 18 years now. If I do it over ill use the contour fans.

 

[Noobz347]

Most fans, mechanical or electric, are pissing into the wind without a shroud.

 

[nickyb]

Most fans, mechanical or electric, are pissing into the wind without a shroud.

You don't tug on Superman's cape,or piss into the wind.

 

[General karthief]

Mishimoto dual 12” electric fans -2300 CFM

I don’t have the air dam and some of the other plastic parts back on. Didn’t think this would make huge difference but have seen comments about that. Maybe in someone else’s experience they have seen it make a big difference?

Just looking for any thoughts and comments.

Well since you're looking I'll give you my thoughts, keep in mind I'm no mechanic, only broke so I try to fix crap myself.
One, avoid changing anything till you get all the air control items in place, ie: air damn under the core support, the two pieces that are on the sides of the radiator and yes, even those plastic pieces that go along the frame at the bottom of the engine compartment.
My opinion from what I've experienced and learned here, 2300 cfm is barely enough, plan a better fan setup either stock or Contour fans.
JMO.

 

[2000xp8]

I've pretty much never had the air damn on, though i don't doubt it could cause issues for some people.
With that said, if the temp goes down when driving and it's only an issue at idle, my money is still on the fans.
I'm also assuming the OP has the mishimoto set with a shroud, though the shroud in pics of that setup looks really shallow, the stock shroud is like a big funnel.

 

[Mindseye007]

I live on the surface of the sun (nevada) ,will get to 118 somedays. I got a black magic fan that pulls 3400 cfm.
No overheating in traffic with a/c on.for 18 years now. If I do it over ill use the contour fans.

I have that black magic fan too, it's amazing my car runs super cool and the fan is very powerful. when I open the door with the car running and I am stepping out I can feel the fan blowing underneath on my legs.

 

[limp]

Make sure the OUTSIDE of your radiator is not clogged... Take out the radiator and visually check it... Had a car in my past that the radiator fins were so plugged hardly any air was passing through them...

 

[Mustang5L5]

I agree with the others, if it's only doing it at low/no speed then it's likely an airflow/heat transfer issue. I have a similar combo to you and i'll run 190-195 degrees even idling at a stop with the AC on with a contour fan.

In addition to airflow, you'll want to check the radiator, as good airflow doesn't mean anything without good heat exchange. If the fins are plugged up, or the inside of the rad is scaled up with calcium, then you will not get good heat transfer.