Cooling at idle/low rpm issues

[matt69]

I have a mildly built 302 with a hd 3 core radiatior, fan shroud and mechanical fan. I run at about 170-180 when cruising down the road, but at idle and creeping through a parking lot or trail the truck will hit 210 pretty quick. When I pick speed back up it will cool down to 180-190.

I am thinking that I need a electric pusher fan in front of the radiator, but have heard good and bad about doing this. I also don't want to mask a possible problem by adding the pusher fan. Is the pusher fan the correct fix?

Matt

Oh ya, I also have the inner fenders cut to allow air to get out.

 

[Eoth]

I had the same exact problem. I traced it back to a crappy "economy" flex fan (that was beat up) and it was too far away from the radiator. The PO used a 1" fan spacer when he really should have used a 2". I upgraded the fan, changed the spacer, and since it is now so much closer, I installed a radiator fan guard just in case I play "U-Boat Commander". Now the needle stays right in the middle all the time.

 

[SteveL]

You also could try a smaller fan pulley.