A/C in ford or merc getting hot

Overheating? The answer is very often Yes.
Are you considering adding AC to a car you already have?
What yr, model and engine?
Is it original under the hood and what options does it already have?
Is anything important; like a fan shroud, missing? Has the radiator & cooling system been recently cleaned or serviced? Does the engine tend to run hot already?
 
I have been looking at a 57 Mercury on ebay, it has ps, pb, no air, looks like nice car. I have 53 Victoria pb and air, it has electric fan and shroud. I have not driven in 95 degree weather. It runs about 200 degrees in 85 degree weather. the electric fan works very well it will run cooler at slow speeds like 25 to 30 mph, seems to increase in temp the faster I go it is 3 spd w/od.
 
Last edited:
It sounds like you've got some AC experience so far, having it in a '53 Vic.
Is it the original flathead engine, or something newer?

Heat buildup under the hood can be a problem.
Depending on the condition of the '57 Merc cooling system you may want to upgrade the radiator to help with the extra heat from the AC condenser, since it wasn't set up for one back in '57.
But you could wait to see if you need to.
 
I've got a 55 bird, and an OT 67, both with A/C. Both have BeCool radiators with shrouds and electric fans. Both needed the alternators (generators were long gone) upgraded to keep the voltage up at idle. You get stopped, and everything comes on, it takes a surprising amount of power. Both units take a lot more power with the fan on high instead of low or medium. Both are integrated heat/cool systems.

The other thing I learned the hard way was the condenser fans. While they may be sized for the condenser, you need more fan up front to "help out" the radiator fan. The birds are noted for low speed overheating anyway. Guys in parades often pop the hood to get the hot air out. I think a 57 Merc would be way better in that respect. But as dmsfrr says, the whole systems needs to be working well, or the added loads will find the weak spot.

Under dash units are a bit tight in birds, but if I were doing another full size car, I'd keep the heater as is and put a good under dash unit in. They're making some pretty nice units now, some with "period correct" looks, some with remote ducts to the left of the column for the driver.
 
Last edited:
Does it make a difference if the electric fan is a pusher or puller? if I used a pusher and kept the original fan in place would that help?
 
Last edited:
It is said that a puller fan is better than a pusher, butt I added a pusher to one of my cars that has a mechanical fan, and brought temps down quickly in traffic.
 
Almost forgot..... A larger opening thermostat is available too, for better water flow.
The T-Bird resto places sell them. They're probably also available at most auto parts stores but I don't know what the original application or part number is.

(from the Casco catalog)
"8575C Thermostat - Water - Large Opening - 170 degrees - 8575C comes with gasket"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top