Cooling system maintenance & upgrades

[MISWFL]

I've got a 1990 XLT that's been sitting for approximately 15 years. Truck has factory A/C. I plan on replacing all the; belts, coolant hoses, radiator, thermostat, water pump and flush or replace the heater core. I might convert to an electric cooling fan as well, if that's possible. I usually get my parts from Rock Auto. I try to avoid water pumps with plastic impellers.

Is there a larger radiator that will fit? I might go with an all aluminum one instead of an OE style plastic tank version. I think I'll run a 180 degree thermostat.

If the A/C is dead and not just from a compressor shaft seal, which is usually an O ring in a spring loaded graphite holder, I'll convert to a more modern smaller compressor. Maybe even a better condenser as well.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

The 4.0 automatic has the biggest stock rad. It’s been discussed on here a bunch of times.

Electric fan is possible. I’ve been starting to experiment with it and results are kind of mixed so far. I’m not exactly sure yet if my fan is just weak or if there’s other issues. It all kind of works so I have been messing with other projects but I do need to re-visit it at some point.

I’m running an all aluminum rad on the Choptop as well as the electric fan. I got both together from a member who was out west and not satisfied with the cooling. It’s working here, and I haven’t overheated, but the fan never shuts off once it kicks on.

I’ve done the 180* t-stat in every 2.9 I’ve owned. Unfortunately I’ve also learned that you need to test new thermostats in hot water with a thermometer. I put a new “quality” 180* t-stat in my green Ranger and couldn’t figure out why it never wanted to warm up. Finally put a temp gun to it and found the t-stat was opening at 167*

I’ve had the AC pumps fail at the case half split. Theoretically you could take it apart and fix the seal but I’ve never done that yet. Usually I end up finding a junkyard one that holds or just buy a reman/new. Remember to save the fittings that connect the lines to the pump if you replace your pump.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Mercedes c230 Kompressor pusher fans are a direct bolt in on a first / second gen ranger. @85_Ranger4x4 and i both have them. They're the ones in front of the intercooler and rad on the benz. Strip the plastic off of them and direct bolt to core support hole. I used them as aux fans, but never had to turn them on. The windmills at highway speeds was enough for my electric to never kick on.

My experimenting with cooling led me to a single row rad with puller and pusher fans. I had the best results with less rad and more wind.

Big wind + less rows to move wind thru led to a very efficient system.

Always use an in line thermostat housing, and always put it in the LOWER rad hose, not upper. American Volt thermostat sensors are best ones.