Best thermostat temp for high heat climates

[Bitch'nBronco]

I get about the same effect at low speed or higher speed. If I accelerate hard (on ramp) I can see the needle jump about 10-15 degrees and then slowly creep back down as I'm cruising on the highway. I can let it idle for extended periods of time without it going much past 180.

In town, cruising at 35 mph it'll sit at 180 for about 15 mins and then slowly climb to 200ish. I haven't tried long drives in town to know how long I can go before it gets too hot.

I feel like I hit a point when I'm driving it that either the coolant doesn't have enough time in the radiator to cool down or the fan can't do enough to keep up.

As far as distance from the core support I really can't get it closer without moving the radiator brackets further forward. I've put storm door heavy duty foam strips between the radiator and core support to try and force as much are into the radiator as possible. I may dam up the area between the lower grill and core support to try and get more air into the radiator.

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[gr8scott]

I feel like I hit a point when I'm driving it that either
(A) the coolant doesn't have enough time in the radiator to cool down
or
(B) the fan can't do enough to keep up.

Your problem is (B) combined with too cool of a thermostat.
(A) is pure myth. Here's a good article about cooling.

https://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Cooling/

 

[Justafordguy]

The Taurus fan is about the best electric for an EB but it still won't cool as well as a good mechanical fan and a good fitting shroud.

Also if your timing really is only 10 degrees I bet it needs more timing. Depending on your cam and other engine mods you will be better with at least 12-15 degrees. Timing makes a huge difference in the temp an engine will run.

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

Thanks, I'm leaning more towards the Taurus fan as I'm not sure I can run a mechanical fan with my current front dress. My water pump only has the 4 bolts for the water pump pulley and doesn't have a threaded center section for a fan clutch to thread onto. I may be completely wrong haha

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[Justafordguy]

You should be able to bolt a mechanical fan to the 4 pulley bolts. You may need a spacer and longer bolts but it should be easy, just make sure you get the right rotation fan.

 

[broncodriver99]

The Taurus fan will likely be the easier swap since you are already set up for an electric fan. Well, other than just bolting a fan and spacer to your current water pump and adding a shroud. I am a fan, no pun intended, of fan clutch setups, they use way less HP when the cooling isn't needed and do a better job of regulating temp. There are plenty of fan clutches that don't require the threaded water pump snout and just use the 4 bolt flange. I am running one from a Jaguar with the stock Bronco water pump. I think there was one maybe from A Ford Superduty that was compact enough and reverse rotation that would fit in a Bronco, but I can't remember for sure the application.

If you are interested in going to a fan clutch setup I would start by taking a measurement from your water pump pulley to the radiator core to get an idea of the amount of room you have to work with and spend a little time looking through the Hayden catalog. Hayden makes most of the fan clutches. They will be for CW or CCW application. Verify which direction your water pump pulley turns and that will dictate which type you need. Measure your mounting bolt spacing and that will narrow it down even more. Once you find one that will work figure out what kind of fan it requires and track down one with that mounting that is an appropriate size for a Bronco fan shroud.

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

How close to the radiator should a fan be while I'm measuring? I've seen pictures of munched rads from the fan walking forward after a motor mount fails etc.

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[AZ69EB]

I also went through some of the same exercises that you have done or looking at trying to fix the cooling issue. I would recommend switching to the Explorer front dress with the stock Explorer fan, add a good sealing fan shroud, and be done. The Explorer set up works great. The Explorer setup pulls so much air it would pull your T -shirt towards the radiator if you stood in front of it. After making the swap, I never had an over heating issue at any point even slow wheeling in the AZ summer temperatures. Except for the driver and passengers. LOL

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

I may go that route, but I'm still leaning towards the taurus fan option. I like that I can run my fans even when the engine isn't running. I read that pirate4x4 link on cooling and it seems like electric is the way to go with a shroud that covers the entire cooling surface of the radiator. I just need to figure out how to trigger the high and low settings of the fan. I have a thermal fan controller now but its for one speed only.

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[Broncobowsher]

The pirate article is good general info. This site is better for Bronco specific info.

For all that have spent thousands of dollars trying to find the best cooling system for a Bronco, the answers are generally the same. Electric is usually questionable. The Explorer just works.

 

[Steve83]

Is it a Mustang (or reverse-rotation) timing cover & water pump?

Did I miss your answer to this, or have you not answered it yet?

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

It is a mustang water pump and timing cover. I think I answered. Not sure if its reverse rotation or not. I'll have to run it and watch

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[Broncobowsher]

Smooth waterpump pulley that runs on the backside of the belt. It does turn reverse. No need to watch it.

 

[Bitch'nBronco]

Thanks!

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[broncodriver99]

Did I miss your answer to this, or have you not answered it yet?

That question was asked and answered before you asked it.