1958 Cadillac Fleetwood is getting hot

[Buy58]

Hello Everyone,

my engine is producing too much Heat and I guess that the air is not going through the radiator while there is no shroud. The ensemble is a four bladed Fan and  the original radiator.
The last owner added a ac (as shown on the picture) and an electric Fan and conect this to the radiator.
Does anyone can give some suggestions to help me out on this problem?

Thanks Sebastian

[Dan LeBlanc]

Hi Sebastian

Does it only occur when the a/c is on?  Does activating the electric fan help?  I see coolant on your radiator support - when it gets hot is the coolant coming out the cap or is your radiator leaking?

[Jon S]

Mine ran hot 10 years ago even though the radiator appeared clean and flushed out quickly. I had it boiled out and it now never exceeds 1/4 on the temperature gauge

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Sebastian,
I believe air conditioned cars came with a 7 bladed radiator fan and a fan shroud as well as a different radiator.
Also, I would check and be sure that the electric fan you have in front of the radiator is correct.  It may be an optical "collusion" but I believe the fan is ia "puller" intended for behind the radiator/.  Again I would check this as well./  Typically if the car has the correct radiator, fan and shroud an auxiliary fan is not only unnecessary but tends to hinder air flow when driving along the highway.
Greg Surfas

[fishnjim]

The "Kid" is correct, that '58 A/C fan was 6 blades, the '59 on is 7, and the radiator went in front of the support, not behind as with non A/C, to allow for the shroud.   I believe rad's the same size, with the brackets reversed.   There's mounting holes for it on the support.   
They don't make that core anymore so if it's been recored, it could be part of the problem.     
I think the lectrik fan in front is actually impeding your air flow.   A/C adds about 20 Hp drain, on the engine.   One of the '58 owners went through this in the past couple years and added the shroud.
I'd check the stat also, because some think erroneously that a higher T one is better.   All that does is allow more heat to build up before it opens.   
Even though they were not up to today's standard they did half way design things back then and today's cars we're used to are not the spartan beasts of yore.   I guess were getting soft.   Just turn off the A/C and roll down the windows...