[TxSportCoupe]

I’d always avoided the Pontiac heating and cooling pitfalls. I never ran AC. Always used a 4 core radiator and a 160° stat and had no issues staying around 180-190° with my little iron head 406. Then I installed Vintage Air and all of the sudden we’re seeing temps at 220. Seems AC puts quite the load on the cooling system. So I bought a new Cold Case radiator and a new 2747 fan clutch to replace my $100 O’Riley radiator that had done so well for so long. Tried two 2797s but they failed out of the box. Research indicates there’s an issue there. Anyway. After 1/2 an hour idling in the garage with the AC and lights on to create as much load as possible I can’t get it to idle over 170°. The radiator is so efficient it’s actually cycling the 160° thermostat. Pretty cool!
I didn’t even mod the new clutch. The Cold Case is an awesome radiator!


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[400 4spd.]

If a customer of mine wants to switch to an aluminum radiator for better cooling, Cold Case is what I use.

[Mister Pontiac]

I run a Cold Case in my 455 72 LeMans. Great radiator.

[PunchT37]

Cold Case in my ‘71. 600hp and a/c. Runs 175 to 185 in the summer down here. 160 stat.

[tjs72lemans]

I like my Cold Case in my 72 with a 400. But, with a 180 stat it reads 190-195 mostly in town or highway. I have a sender in head for idiot light, but rely on mechanical sender in stock intake where the old emissions port is up front. Is this a reliable source for an accurate reading? Or would it normally read higher there?

[Mister Pontiac]

Originally Posted by tjs72lemans

I like my Cold Case in my 72 with a 400. But, with a 180 stat it reads 190-195 mostly in town or highway. I have a sender in head for idiot light, but rely on mechanical sender in stock intake where the old emissions port is up front. Is this a reliable source for an accurate reading? Or would it normally read higher there?

I don't know that you will see a difference in either location. Nothing wrong with taking the temperature from either location.

The benefit of the sender in the water crossover is that you know it's on its way to the radiator from there, so that is likely the hottest temp throughout the engine.

[tjs72lemans]

Thanks.

[TxSportCoupe]

Originally Posted by PunchT37

Cold Case in my ‘71. 600hp and a/c. Runs 175 to 185 in the summer down here. 160 stat.

If I could get to 185° that would be perfect. My little iron head 406 won’t get there. Not even with a hot cam on 100LL fuel and running AC. I may have to switch to a 180° stat to get there (190°). This thing runs on the verge of cold at all times here in West Texas. I bet If I took the thermostat out, it would make ice. With aluminum heads it might just make the car freeze over entirely. JK. I’d like to shake the hand of the person who designed the Cold Case radiator. It transfers heat better than any radiator I’ve ever personally seen. So efficient it’s almost magical. I can’t ever see myself owing more motor than it could cool.


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[TxSportCoupe]

Originally Posted by tjs72lemans

I like my Cold Case in my 72 with a 400. But, with a 180 stat it reads 190-195 mostly in town or highway. I have a sender in head for idiot light, but rely on mechanical sender in stock intake where the old emissions port is up front. Is this a reliable source for an accurate reading? Or would it normally read higher there?

That’s where my sender is located (up front) and you’re temps are spot on for a 180° stat. 180 is where it is theoretically supposed to start opening and, be completely open by 190° +/- a few degrees.
I always boil my thermostats and check them with a thermometer for function before I install one on my car. I nearly burned my motor down years ago with a brand new Stant 160 that never opened. A short time later the motor spun a bearing. Related? IDK? I took the stat out and boiled it to 300°. Never opened. Hard lesson learned. Never again.


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