Building Radiator Shroud

[19spider79]

I am building a radiator shroud since my spider tends to run hot. I had the radiator hot dipped and cleaned, flushed the whole system temp cooled a little at just above 190 but not enough for heavy traffic and idling in stop and go traffic temp goes close to red line, she still runs hot. Looked at the design of the Radiator, fan and decided I can do better! I will post picture of my Radiator project.


I cleaned up the front end of the spider with some black paint,
here are the photos.
Cost was 85.00 for the fabrication of the aluminum shroud from 16 gauge aluminum sheeting.
I also had a piece welded on the radiator for the forth bolt. I can still reattach the original fan if need be.
As you can see from the photos the original fan sits up to one corner, this fan will be dead center and pull the air throw all of the radiator. Now its off to the Fan Man in stanton calif to get my Electric fan.

[vandor]

It is true that the stock fan shroud is not an ideal design, however when the cooling system is working properly it has no trouble keeping the engine cool in 100F+ weather. I think you are curing the symptom, not the problem.

[RRoller123]

I have read here on the forum a few times that when all else seems right, the radiator turns out to be somewhat clogged, restricting flow just enough to cause these abnormally high operating temperatures.

[spidernut]

I agree with "vandor". A few simple things to check first: the direction that the thermostat is mounted (see video at http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=853112); ensure the cooling system is bled (burped as some call it). I can drive either of my Spiders in 103 degree California city traffic all day long and never have the temp go over 195. It normally runs about 185-195 with the fan cycling of and on in heavy traffic.

[19spider79]

I have read here on the forum a few times that when all else seems right, the radiator turns out to be somewhat clogged, restricting flow just enough to cause these abnormally high operating temperatures.

True if the radiator is clogged then you would get overheating.

In my case, I just had the radiator taken apart top and bottom and hot boiled-cleaned out and re-soldered. The radiator is in new condition now, also changed out the heater core, heater control valve and thermostat. I am calling my project and upgrade to the poor design of the radiator fan, since the fan only cools about 1/3 of the radiator area. Today we have high output CFM fans with more than just 4 fan blades and very quite too.

[manoa matt]

Have you actually confirmed that it's running hot via a non contact/laser thermometer pointed at the metal in the valley of the cylinder head? The gauge is notorious for reading higher temps than actual. The stock fan is great because you know when it's on.

[Exit98]

Don't mean to pile on, but I'm with everyone else here. Fiat Spiders don't overheat unless something is wrong somewhere. The cooling system works.

[76124]

I agree with all others before. i've had many Spiders and a few Sedans, none ever overheated. However, I have a shroud from a 69 that I can sell you if you want to go ahead with the "fix".

[v6spider]

In my first 4.3 l v6 powered spider the original radiator and fan were able to keep the v6spider cool. So with that experience in mind I am in agreance with these guys.. The stock radiator and fan are more than enough to cool the stock engine.

A blown head gasket can cause over heating, low oil pressure, poor ignition timing, improper dwell adjustment, too lean of fuel mixture... So many things other than poor cooling...

I'd check the accuracy of the stock gauge against a good mechanical one...or use a temp gun and measure the heat on the radiator versus the heat where the thermostat is.. if there are cold spots on the radiator it may still have issues..if the whole radiator is cooler than the engine, than the thermostat may be installed backwards or sticking. You could also try drilling four 1/8" holes in the base of the thermostat... that will lower the temp by 10° ...an old hotrodders trick

Rob