Enjoy 5% OFF at VEVOR Canada! and Support Canadian Poncho at the Same Time!
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Help Wanted!


Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 402
Date:
Help Wanted!


Put a Vintage a/c kit on the '66 Beau over the winter.  I worked with their tech representative, and they assembled a hybrid kit with the Pontiac Tempest/GTO "head" end (controls in dash), with the Chevelle BBC spec for everything else.  It went in pretty smoothly, the only fabrication was getting the wires from the controls to the blend box correct in length.

BUT, the old girl just WON'T cool, now.  Have put in a Cold Case high-capacity radiator with thermostatically-controlled electric fans 

1966-1967 Chevelle / Malibu Cold Case Performance Aluminum Radiator & Dual 12" Fan Kit, Big 2 Row, V8 With Manual Transmission (ecklers.com)

..and a high-flow 8-blade aluminum water pump, advertised with 35% higher capacity than the stock piece.  It's running 220F+ on country roads, at moderate (50-60 mph) speeds.  At lights, it gets scary.

I was going to send it back to the dynotuner, thinking maybe it's leaned out too much, but then, my buddy put Vintage a/c on his '66 Chevelle 300, with a carbureted 454 and a five-speed Tremec, and HIS operating temps jumped 20F, whether the a/c is on, or not.  

We're talking with the manufacturer, and suspect it's air flow restriction through their condenser that's the root of the problem, but would appreciate any thoughts the veterans on this board might have.  Mine's a mild BBC, Holley Sniper EFI, put about 220 to the rear wheels after the dyno tuning.  Not exactly a pavement ripper.  700R, turns about 2100 rpm at 60 mph, so the engine is barely loafing on a two lane cruise.  

Thanks for whatever advice you might have!  



__________________

see2xu

66 Beau 2DHT 427FI, 700R



Poncho Master!

Status: Offline
Posts: 1485
Date:

There will be undoubtedly a few responses. Mine is a bit of a step back and think about what has changed and how to approach a solution.

By adding the condenser coil to the front of the car you've added an additional air restriction to or through the radiator. Air will find another way to move out from behind the grille. I've never owned a pre-67 A body but suspect it has the same huge opening between the bumper and rad support as the 69, 70 and 72 GTO i've had over the years. For better air flow through the rad while driving the easy escape route for the air should be eliminated. For a cheap experiment, use some heavy card board and close off the openings and go for a spin on the road.

For the fan portion of the equation, it is for idle and slow speed operation. Again it's probably an air flow issue caused by the additional restriction of the condenser. For the fan to properly pull air through the rad there should be a shroud and most factory GM fans should have about 3/4" clearance and be 1/3 of the blade depth into the shroud to work as designed.

Just my thoughts. Best of success.

__________________

Eric - Regina, SK

The Projects:

1935 Chev 3 Window Std Coupe

1957 Chev 2dr 

1967 Mustang Convertible

1969 Firebird 350HO Convertible

1969 Camaro X11-V8

1969 2+2 was a 396

1969 2+2 427

1980 Harley FXWG

1982 Chevy Silverado

1986 CJ7 Jeep

 

Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons


Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 402
Date:

Yeah, that's kinda where we're at. There aren't many openings in the radiator support that would let ram air "bleed" past the cutout for the radiator (and, now, condenser).

The replacement cooling package has a fully-shrouded, thermostatically-controlled set of electric fans:

www.ecklers.com/1966-1967-chevelle-malibu-cold-case-performance-aluminum-radiator-dual-12-fan-kit-big-2-row-v8-with-manual-transmission-50-863998-1.html

so there can't be much getting past them. We've checked the function, they clock on at 165F religiously.

As with all things Covid, Vintage Air (based in San Antonio, TX) isn't really quick on the draw with tech support. And so, we wait...



-- Edited by see2xu on Tuesday 31st of August 2021 12:28:30 PM

__________________

see2xu

66 Beau 2DHT 427FI, 700R



Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3986
Date:

What about adding a dam or rubber spoiler under the rad cradle. Look at 70s cars for what I,m talking about. Directs air upwards into the rad instead of underneath.

__________________

Remember Fun,

 Remember Laughter ?



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 402
Date:

Good idea. And, we're looking at sealing off the gap between the top of the grill and the rad support, as well. I mean, obviously, plumbing and installing a radiator on the roof, in series with the one in the original hole, would solve the problem, but that kinda ruins the cosmetics!

__________________

see2xu

66 Beau 2DHT 427FI, 700R



Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3986
Date:

Get a wide one and mount on the trunk lid. Make it look like a spoiler.

__________________

Remember Fun,

 Remember Laughter ?



Addicted!

Status: Offline
Posts: 402
Date:

 



-- Edited by see2xu on Wednesday 1st of September 2021 07:51:24 AM

__________________

see2xu

66 Beau 2DHT 427FI, 700R

Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons


Uber Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3986
Date:

Actually look at what the OEMs have been doing lately. They seal everything off from the grill and aim it only at the rad area.

__________________

Remember Fun,

 Remember Laughter ?



Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Status: Offline
Posts: 10616
Date:

Is the condenser tight up to the rad face? If yes, maybe pulling it forward away a couple of inches might allow a better balance of air to reach the restricted section of rad. And still allow adequate flow through the condenser.



__________________
 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT. 69 Parisienne Convertible.
 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
.
Support Canadian Poncho!
Select Amount:
<
.
.
.