xchawk wrote:
Hi, we are the proud owners of a Dodge class C 1978 and are enjoying are first year as we make the needed repairs to keep her on the road. We pull a 8x16' trailer and the set-up works well. the problem is now that the weather is starting to warm up so is the engine. In the evening or on a cool day we go down the road with the engine at 180 degrees, add a hill or some head winds and that climbs to 200 degrees quickly, and now that the weather is getting warming we are finding that the temp climbs quickly and I'm worried we will end up with overheating problems. It has a 360 engine, does anyone have experience with this and what would be my best solution? Can I install a bigger radiator? or will a transmission/oil cooler help? I would like to solve this before we end up stranded or damage the engine so any help would be appreciated.
Yes check all of the basics.. timing, good thermostat, belts ect.
you didn't say how much the trailer you are towing weighs? you may be asking a lot of the 360 engine. What I found when chasing the over heating problem with my 8000 lb Clipper with a 440 engine was several things.
One was the fan shroud was gone I didn't have one at all.
2 the clutch on the fan was old and in need of a new one.
3 the radiator was OEM and needing a rebuild and when I had it recored I had the largest thickness core installed and dimpled tubes. the dimples are to aid in cooling so I went for that as well.
an aftermarket trans cooler is also a must but I do plumb it in series with the radiator.
I also have installed a larger transmission pan for more oil capacity in the transmission.
good luck and let us know how it works out for you.
Rodney
