down at the firestation....

[93Ranger]

we have a 1936 truck (not used, but its one of those old firetrucks that you see sometimes).

the thing is awesome. but we have a problem with it.

it's running a Continential Flat Head V8, but it runs REALLY hot. you could grill on it.

we want to keep it as original as possible, so a swap for a Powerstroke Turbo Diesel V8 or V10 is out.

we have had people say it was a bad head gasket, but we tried replacing that, and it still runs hot and the power isnt all their.

there is probabally only a few thousand miles on this thing, garage kept its entire life.

we dont want to re-engine-ify, we just want it to work for parades and stuff. its a killer looking truck, just, at the moment, all show no go.

 

[diablo5969]

Sounds like a cool truck. Can't help the temperature problem, but sounds cool. You know, it'd probably be kind of fun to put in a new Powerstroke V10. And the truck would still look original for parades and stuff. Oh well. Yeah, anyway, sounds cool. You have any pictures of it?

 

[93Ranger]

i can get some once we take it out. there has been talk of dropping a 393 small block chevy or a small block Hemi.

i still would like to see the Powerstroke turbo diesel V10 dropped in their with a superchip. good times.

my friends dad has that setup in his F-250, and he can actually chirp 3rd in an automatic. pretty cool.

 

[JDraper]

Bad water pump or tstat?? Maybe a larger radiator, an electric fan and a high flow electric water pump would help it during the low speed/low rpm parades since you don't go fast enough to force air through the radiator naturally.

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by 93Ranger
my friends dad has that setup in his F-250, and he can actually chirp 3rd in an automatic. pretty cool.

DAMN

 

[mrboyle]

The flat head V8's were known for cooling problems. There are a few things you can do to help, first I'd make sure the radiator is clean and not restricted, next replace the thermostats (if it has any), try adding a fan shroud if it doesn't already have one. I'm sure the truck is still 6volt, but I would install a deed cycle 12volt battery and add the largest electric pusher fan that will fit in front of the radiator. If you only run the fan when needed and recharge the battery when the truck is not in use you shouldn't have a problem. If all that isn't enough try to find one of the old burlap bags they use to hang in front of the radiator and fill with ice. It won't look out of place and will add some character (if the truck doesn't already have enough)