Hi all,
 
Just wondering about the use of 3 core radiators or even an ally radiator in a V6 GT as I ran my car on Thursday in Adelaide 37 Deg day, to see how it went in terms of cooling. It did survive, but it was not at all that happy. I ran the car because I wanted to see how the cooling system fared, as the intension is to use the car when ever I feel like/need given that the car has aftermarket aircon. I have a thermo fan set to come in at 85 Deg. It should be noted that  the condenser for the aircon sits in front or the radiator. I think this may be part of the cause for my cooling issues ie lack of air flow to radiator. The temp did get to over 110 Deg as per the tell tail on the radiator cap ( not to sure how accurate it is though)and 1 or 2 bubbles were just starting to show in the over flow bottle. So it did get rather hot but did not boil b4 I got it back into the shed and shut it down. Apart from not driving in the heat any ideas/thoughts what have others done?
 
Scott
 

So Scott you do have a 3 core?
I'd be getting one !
I have 3core and 14" thermo in front . I couldn't fit between motor and radiator because they way the tank was set up . They need to offset the core so I have been told .

I have a standard radiator in my V6 (ex Transit van actually).
In Sydney traffic on a hot day....it got very hot.
So I made a shroud to put around the belt driven fan....some improvement but wind noisy all the time.
Then...I put a slimline stator design thermo fan in front of the radiator. No problems in the last 5+ years on any daytime temp.
 
And wrt Whooligan, I think he means these are 40yrs old and NOT made for Aussie conditions  (does it ever get over 30deg C in UK?).
 .......Just compare size of your Capri radiator to almost anything modern.
 

We are also running a 3 core radiator with a standard engine fan & we have been driving in 39c days & it has not boiled over but been very very close when stuck in traffic but the problem is the original glass bowl mechanical fuel pump as you can see the fuel boiling in the pump & it of course has a vapour lock & thats the end of it, so electric fuel pump is the nex thing to do & maybe an electric fan & remove the engine fan. 

Nothing use to frighten me more than being stuck idling on the freeeway and hearing the thermo fan kick in.  It didnt seem to like the extra electrical load.  I went back to mech fan and got a custom radiator fitted - not sure of cores but it was the biggest they could fit without chopping into the front end.  I still avoid slow traffic and hot days.
 
Also remember that the cast iron block is a big heat sink so if your bores have been maxed out then more heat passes to the coolant so a bigger radiator is needed.
 
I remember reading a good article in Uk mag about Perth company that did a custom mod of cooling system.  I will see if I can find it.

Make sure you have a thermostat.  Many people take them out, but the Essex will cavitate and it will actually impeded water flow.  Also ensure your oil is full as it helps cooling.  Make sure you have the deflector panel on the rad support fitted, and there is also meant to be one underneath on the scuttle support.  finally if you have thermo fans make sure the blades are turning the right way as the spin in either direction depending on polarity.  ie if they are mounted engine side they should pull air and if mounted in the cavity then they should push,  use thin streamers to check air flow direction  

Good tips Jr

Funny thing about all this is and please tell me if I am wrong, the thermostat according to the factory service manual should not be fully open until 101 Deg C. If you speak to a radiator company they will say 85 Deg C and you should have a fully open thermostat, that is quite some difference. I am going to invest in an all alloy radiator and see how that goes. Thinking about this realisticly even 40 yrs ago the summer temp would hit 37-40 and I find it hard to believe that a car built around 1970 would have been hamstrung on the side of the road when it was a brand new vehicle, just my thoughts.
 
SCott 

Hey Scott I'd be going to copper over alloy anyday . Copper has a better heat transfer. Just my 2 cents

Bloody cars..........
I just went out to the shed and my Capri only has a 2 row radiator fitted, should it be a 3 row from the factory?
 
Scott