takt

I have a 66 mustang coupe. According to the VIN, it started life as a 289-2V. When I got it, it already had a 302 in it. Recently I had the motor rebuilt to a 348.

I'm having overheating problems. The temp creeps up until I finally turn it off at 200-210. I have a 185 thermostat. I've tested the compression in the coolant system. I've changed the cap.

While I was out searching for pulley's (thinking maybe I had too large of a water pump pulley, therefore not turning it quick enough) ... I ran into a post that the listed pulleys were for cars where the radiator lower output hose was on the passenger side.

Huh?!?!

My car has the lower output hose on the drivers side ... also, the water pump hose input was on the drivers side. I purchased a reman'd water pump (listed for a 66 mustang), got it yesterday and it's input hose was on the passenger side.

So, my question. WTH??

Did 66's with a 289 have the water pump input and radiator output on the drivers side?

Now that I have a 348 - do I need to put a new radiator in with the output on the passenger side?

Is there anything else I should know (i.e. the water pump / crankshaft pulley's)?

And ... could all of this be the cause of my overheating problem?

Thanks for the help!

2+2GT

Yes, the radiator and pump you were sold is correct for the 66, it's your engine that's wrong. What you need to do is get the "5.0 Conversion" radiator, rather than change your rad and pump to the 66 style. The diagonal style with the inlet on the top right and the outlet on the bottom left is somewhat more efficient.

With a 348 you should have a 190° thermostat, 3-row radiator, and a 6-blade thermal clutch fan.

MBDiagMan

I will point out something that I put in a different post regarding overheating of a fresh engine.

Look at the front, outer corner of your cylinder heads where they meet the block. On both sides you should see a square corner of head gasket sticking beyond the sort of rounded portion of the cylinder head. If you DO NOT see this on a particular head, the head gasket is installed backwards and is preventing coolant from flowing through the cylinder head.

takt

Thank you! If the Radiator has an inlet on top right ... how does the cross over happen without getting in the way of the fan?


I had an experienced engine shop do the rebuild ... but will check this just in case. Thanks!

2+2GT

The top-right inlet is stock 64-73. Here's 66:

takt

Thank you ... sorry, I got confused.

Take that picture, and on the bottom left of the picture would be the outlet for my radiator. Looks like I have a radiator to buy. Any suggestions on where to go for one?

Thanks

2+2GT

Here's 1970:

MBDiagMan

I have seen a head gasket put on backwards by a very experienced guy. To begin with, most of their work is small block Chevy's where you get in the habit of just slapping the gasket on because this is not an issue with a Chevy.

It will only take five seconds to check them the next time the hood is open.