Cooling question

[kev_the_mole]

I'm ripping out the Proform electric pump and putting in a Jegs remote pump. This gives me enough room to get a puller fan in that is bigger than the old pusher. Also fitting a bigger radiator.

Question is that I may have enough room to duct the hot air from the rad out of the engine bay. Is this a good idea or not. Does the hot air from the rad still cool the block?

Cheers,

Ian

[kiwicar]

Hi
On an iron block like the chevy there is little or no cooling from thhe air traveling around the block, iron isn't a good enough heat conductor. On an ally block it is a slightly different story but a slightly bigger radiator has much more effect. Air around the sump is a different story, that makes a big diferance to the cooling, if you are having cooling issues you may want to consider an ally sump (if you dont already have an oil cooler). If you can duct the hot air from the rad out of the engine bay, or even just keep it away from the top of the engine It will help in keeping the inlet side cool which is very benificial. You may want to get the air to flow past the exhaust manifolds on it's way out just to avoid cooking all that nice shiley paint around your inner wings.
Best regards
Mike

[Ian Anderson]

I'd say exact opposite

Let the air pass over the engine - even it it removes 1% of the heat that the rad is it is that bit more "spare" for that extra hot day etc

In GT40 with the engine running and starionary in traffic the bulkhead got so hotthat I could not hold my hand against it (As it is about 1.5 inches from my shoulder I got hot!)
I added 2 fans (bilge motor fans from ebay) rated at 250CFM each and when stationary turn these on to get hot air moving past the engine
Within a minute I can then hold my hand on the bulkhead

The airflow will also clear away heat from headers etc

Ian