56 does heat up in city driving

Old Redneck

Old Redneck

Well-known member
On the open road the 56 heat gauge stays in the 170 to 180 but in the city it goes to 200 and It scare me a bit. Went to a cookout yesterday and there were 3 56 Fords and we talk about the heating problem. I am going to try a overflo tank on the 56 to see if that helps. I hate to buy a radiator 4 core not knowing if that will solve the problem.I have put a 6 blade fan. also mabe a fan shourd might help also.=????? da* ford:mad:
 
A fan shroud will help alot and get a 56 Ford air dam that goes from the top of radiator support up to the hood when closed, make all the air go through the radiator. Timing is a big thing with heat, maybe your vacuum advance is not working? Check it with a timing light or vacuum pump.
 
I did change the dist.and Vacumm advance and use a timming light and set the dewell.Who has the fan should and air dam?? Or do you half to make it?
 
They show a fan Shroud for the 55 to 57 T-Bird but not the 56 Ford . I have Tee-Bird parts Book.Do you think a overflow tank would help some?
 
You can always use those chrome universal ones that really look good . One the other hand you can also add an electric fan on the grill side and just use an on/off switch when needed to keep the engine cooler .
I have a 55 Ford w/292 and it does the same thing with a 180 stat . I am going to add a shroud and an electric fan as a back up that works off a toggle switch so I can use as needed . BTW , I am using a stock 66 Mustang small radiator and work good until the weather gets into the 90+ temps and in traffic . Get the electric fan from the salvage yard , they are cheap there .

Jim
 
Redneck said:
They show a fan Shroud for the 55 to 57 T-Bird but not the 56 Ford . I have Tee-Bird parts Book.Do you think a overflow tank would help some?
Click to expand...

Call walker radiator, they show a plastic universal shroud the you have to cut out where your fan blade goes. They are easy to install and make a big difference. I have a 34 Ford with a J2 motor and it would hit 210 idling in line and now with the shroud I can go in a parade and it goes to 160.
When you are driving on highway it should be cool or is your fan belt loose and not turning fan or timing, vacuum advance, pluged radiator or motor needs to be flushed out.
 
I went to autoZone and got a overflow plastic tank and put it on. Filled the radiator and took mother to lunch about 20 miles. The temp stayed at 180 tops and it help some for 13 bucks. Good investment for the buck.I am going to leave it on.I don't want a chrome fan shroud.
 
All cars run a little hotter in stop and go driving. 200 is not too bad, especially in city driving. If its not boiling over, you are ok.
 
I use an overflow tank from auto zone in my 39 pickup. I can run at about 180 even in this heat. I found a 39 dump truck should which I will install someday. Sure miserable hot here in Virginny. I can't get anything done outside. clem
 
My '56 does the same thing; took it out for a drive Saturday in 90+ degree weather and it ran about 180 until I stopped then it spiked up over 200. Everything is new and stock. It's a lot about air flow -a lot goes around the radiator instead of thru it.

There's a person over on HAMB (52-56 Fords social group) that can build a shroud that looks stock. I'm going to get one, along with a 6 or 7 blade fan. Also make sure that seal on top of the radiator support is good.

There's been some great discussion going on, on the HAMB about this very subject. Apparently this is a common problem with the '56's.

I'm trying to stay as stock as possible on my Fairlane so electric fans will be a very last resort. But I also want to be able to drive it in warm temps without overheating, so if that's what it takes. . .

I might try that overflow tank - thanks for the tip. I'm hoping the shroud and higher-blade fan will cool her down a bit.
 
My Air condition came today and I started installing it. Before I install it I got to install the electric wipers first.Should have it in by the end of next week.I got a power steering kit also to do and a tierod.What a car. So far the battery held up. The key switch acting up may half to change it also.Dam Ford.No end to this rat trap I guess.:confused:
 

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My 56 Tbird runs way to the right of normal, but does not boil or overflow.

It has a shroud, but only has 3 blade fan.

Would a 4 blade help?

marvin
 
It helps but not as much as I though it should.A overflow tank did help some.It looks like I am going to a heavyduty 4 row radiator down the road. I am in the process installing air condition. I got one broken bolt now to fool with.This job not going very easy.
 
If you have a stock engine and components these cars should not overheat. They didn't back when they were new, so they shouldn't overheat now if all everything is working correctly. Most of the time the problem described here is due to a blocked radiator core. Boiling a radiator out doesn't always work; they need to be disassembled and "rodded out", or recored. Also, as Paul stated, 200 degrees on a hot, humid day is really nothing to get all concerned about.
 
lucky said:
My 56 Tbird runs way to the right of normal, but does not boil or overflow.

It has a shroud, but only has 3 blade fan.

Would a 4 blade help?

marvin
Click to expand...

It might, but you first have to determine if its overly hot. As I and others have said, these Ford gauges are notorious for being wrong. Perfect example is the posting above. Also see above for checking actual temperature. Once you know what the actual temperature is, then come looking for solutions.

There are a number of things you can do to help these motors run cool, but you have to determine if they actually run hot.
 
It should not be necessary to add a fan shroud unless your car is missing the engine splash shields under the car. Those panels had a dual purpose. Engine cooling and protection from water particularly for the generator. But if those are missing, you might want to get those (I am selling them on E-bay right now) or see if you can find a shroud to fit. The front radiator air deflector was installed only on the 182 horsepower cars. The factory never installed them on the 162 HP cars but the part will fit there. It will NOT fit on a car with a 6-cylinder engine.
 
A couple things to remember about a shroud. First, the shroud should cover and seal (around the edges) the whole fin area. Second, the fan should only be into the shroud about 1/3 to 1/2 of the blade. If these are not met, you may be better off without the shroud.
 
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