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39.5MPG on last tank...hope this trend continues, would LOVE to see 40+ nearly all in town driving!!! I made up a grill block last night because the cold has finally started setting in and drove it around town. She actually got hot enough for the fan to turn on which I realized was the first time Ide ever heard it, but it didnt come on very often which concerned me. Im gonna replace the relays and make sure its up to snuff then I might have to either grab an aftermarket temp gauge or lazer thermometer to keep an eye on things. Usually when I drive around the needle never goes higher than half the gauge, even on the hottest days so far. Now itll go between 3/4 and the end of the gauge but never into the red. I dont trust stock gauges tho so I pulled over and checked under the hood. I could put my hand on the valve cover without it burnin the hell out of me, but couldnt hold there long without it causing some discomfort. The upper radiator hose on the otherhand was warm, but not even close to what I would call hot. ANYways, I think Im on to somethin and might be able to squeeze a bit more outta this car with the cooling system up to snuff and the grill block in place.
For the grill block, I used a foam excercise pad that I was using as a "creeper" around the garage. It would never lay flat bein that it came in a roll so I rarely used it. The way the Escort lower bumper is set up, you dont even have to tape, screw, glue or ziptie it to stay in, it wedged between the bumper support and the bumper and isnt goin anywhere. I completely blocked the entire lower grill and left only the small area around the Ford emblem in the upper grill open. Apparently this does little for cooling cause it ran the temp gauge up despite bein 27* outside. If I can get the fan working properly and it still doesnt cool it enough Ill cut a small hole in the lower but Ide like to not have to do so. Ill take pics of the setup later.
Matt
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