• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Fox Why won’t my engine run cool

  • Thread starter Thread starter paddyrk
  • Start date Start date May 25, 2020

paddyrk

Member
Jun 7, 2018
71
5
18
Dublin, OH
May 25, 2020
#1
  • May 25, 2020
  • #1
Sorry if this should be in the tech section, but I think here is better since I’m asking for opinions.
I have a 1991 347 swap, mild motor, 325whp so nothing crazy. I live in suburban Columbus so it is hot here now. Today I was out cruising, some light pulls, and my temp was still just about constantly 195-200.
I have this water pump, electronic, 55 GPM
I have this radiator and dual fan setup
I use VP cool down additive with distilled/drinking water
My timing is set correctly (verified at the Dyno and haven’t changed it), I just don’t see why I could STILL not run cool, I use a 180 degree thermostat, but I still run that hot, is it possible my hood doesn’t have enough exhaust flow (as in letting the air escape near the winshield)? I really don’t know how this happens.
please let me know your thoughts and ideas, this is very frustrating since I need to be able to daily drive this car. Thanks
 

TOOLOW91

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?
20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 29, 1999
8,483
8,687
234
S.I.NY
May 25, 2020
#2
  • May 25, 2020
  • #2
Those fans are Terrible . Ford contour fans would be a world of a difference.
195 -200 isn’t over heating either.
 
Reactions: revhead347, mikestang63 and 67coupe

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
May 25, 2020
#3
  • May 25, 2020
  • #3
put a Stewart or Edelbrock water pump and Contour fan on it. As Jeff said those fans dont pull enough CFM to keep a stock mustang cool. I agree 195 to 205 is not overheating. For your reference, if it is having issues at idle or in traffic it is usually an airflow issue. The Contour fan pulls over 3000 CFM. Couple that with a FAL31165 controller and a 3G alternator and you are set.
 

87 black gt

Member
Jan 24, 2016
70
12
18
May 25, 2020
#4
  • May 25, 2020
  • #4
Just did this last summer like other say, contour fans and 3 core aluminum radiator I set my fans up to either one fan or two i run 306 and it will run 180- 190 all day and that's with one fan running, I have yet to turn the other fan on. Found my fans at local junk yard for 30 bucks
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,892
10,553
203
polk county florida
May 25, 2020
#5
  • May 25, 2020
  • #5
On a side note, the air flow through the radiator into the engine compartment is designed to flow out under the car, there should be a plastic air dam on the cross member, this helps direct air up and down, this creates negative pressure behind it that lets the air in the engine compartment to escape out under the car.
The factory installs a 192* thermostat so 195-205* is not overheating. That's where they are designed to run.
 
Reactions: Noobz347 and HotFox

KRUISR

10 Year Member
Apr 16, 2015
1,809
909
143
May 26, 2020
#6
  • May 26, 2020
  • #6
I have a 3 core OEM style radiator, Contour fans set up for dual speed (both fans low or high), 180 thermostat and controller sensor in lower rad hose. I never get above 200/205 and don't get high speed coming on (low speed or no fans if I am moving). Works great.
 
Reactions: HotFox

HotFox

15 Year Member
Jan 5, 2009
1,050
653
164
SE Michigan
May 26, 2020
#7
  • May 26, 2020
  • #7
As Karthief mentioned that air dam is functional. On my 331 years ago I had temp climb issue on the freeway. It was related to the lack of air dam.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,297
1,641
214
Acworth, GA
May 26, 2020
#8
  • May 26, 2020
  • #8
mikestang63 said:
put a Stewart or Edelbrock water pump and Contour fan on it. As Jeff said those fans dont pull enough CFM to keep a stock mustang cool. I agree 195 to 205 is not overheating. For your reference, if it is having issues at idle or in traffic it is usually an airflow issue. The Contour fan pulls over 3000 CFM. Couple that with a FAL31165 controller and a 3G alternator and you are set.
Click to expand...

You actually want a Flowkooler water pump. The Stewart and Edelbrock are actually just factory style pumps. There is nothing special about them. I made a thread about this with pictures about 10 years ago.

Kurt
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,297
1,641
214
Acworth, GA
May 26, 2020
#9
  • May 26, 2020
  • #9
Would that be Columbus Ohio, Missouri, or Georgia?

Kurt
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
May 26, 2020
#10
  • May 26, 2020
  • #10
revhead347 said:
You actually want a Flowkooler water pump. The Stewart and Edelbrock are actually just factory style pumps. There is nothing special about them. I made a thread about this with pictures about 10 years ago.

Kurt
Click to expand...
flowkooler has reported some major quality control issues over the last few years.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,892
10,553
203
polk county florida
May 26, 2020
#11
  • May 26, 2020
  • #11
mikestang63 said:
flowkooler has reported some major quality control issues over the last few years.
Click to expand...
So has Columbus
 
B

bigcatak

Member
Jan 14, 2021
11
2
13
North Pole Alaska
Jan 25, 2021
#12
  • Jan 25, 2021
  • #12
Have you checked the radiator with a heat gun to see if the gauge, or sensor is not to blame?
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,009
21,193
234
Box behind Walmart
Jan 25, 2021
#13
  • Jan 25, 2021
  • #13
paddyrk said:
Sorry if this should be in the tech section, but I think here is better since I’m asking for opinions.
I have a 1991 347 swap, mild motor, 325whp so nothing crazy. I live in suburban Columbus so it is hot here now. Today I was out cruising, some light pulls, and my temp was still just about constantly 195-200.
I have this water pump, electronic, 55 GPM
I have this radiator and dual fan setup
I use VP cool down additive with distilled/drinking water
My timing is set correctly (verified at the Dyno and haven’t changed it), I just don’t see why I could STILL not run cool, I use a 180 degree thermostat, but I still run that hot, is it possible my hood doesn’t have enough exhaust flow (as in letting the air escape near the winshield)? I really don’t know how this happens.
please let me know your thoughts and ideas, this is very frustrating since I need to be able to daily drive this car. Thanks
Click to expand...

[When] does the engine seem to heat soak the most; while running or while sitting still?

The fans type is largely irrelevant when the car is moving at highway speeds. Sitting still is a different matter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hard to start when engine is cold
  • 86_Capri
  • Mar 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
32
Views
913
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 21, 2026
CAMTWO1070
W
Engine My engine dies after running 10 to 15 minutes under high heat.
  • Wylieone
  • Jun 21, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
147
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 22, 2026
Mustang5L5
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
213
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
L
Engine Why won't the motor start if I have spark and fuel
  • LeviAnderson
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
409
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 20, 2025
AeroCoupe
Progress Thread 93 LX father son project
  • ZAM93LX
  • Oct 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 3, 2025
Scrapla347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?