|
AC Delete
An update on the old red beast. Transmission has been doing fine, but the truck has been occasionally temperature spiking and overheating briefly. The major issue with the cooling system is the trashed ac condenser, all the fins had been mashed flat by the previous owner to keep from having to replace the thermostat. The shop that I had asked to fix it straightened the fins instead of replacing it, but the fins were still very far from perfect.
To the point, it was either a new AC condenser or an AC delete, and as much as I like AC I opted for the AC delete. I loosened the serpentine belt, pulled the compressor, installed an AC bypass pulley in the compressor’s place, and removed the condenser. I also removed the now non-functional automatic transmission cooler. I also reinstalled the filler piece between the grill and bumper for that aero gain.
I also changed the antifreeze, it was low and I think most of that was due to overheating in the radiator due to bad airflow boiling off the coolant.
I stress tested the truck by using it for my commute this morning, need to prove it reliable. Truck did fine, no overheating or boiling of fluid. Before I drive it home I will be checking the coolant level, this afternoons drive in the warmer weather will be more of a stress test than this cool morning.
I see plenty of aerodynamic low hanging fruit on this truck. Once I get some of my other projects wrapped up, that will be the next step for old redbird.
|