1957 Ford Fairlane

I'll see what happens today, might try and rinse off the coolant and dry it in the sun at least. Feeling very cheesed off though...

In this warm weather two things to check

Float level in the carb, lean it'll run hot if the level is low because the fuel is boiling.
Ignition, you'll easily steam up an otherwise healthy 8 like that if the timing is off.

It's such a big lazy engine it'll run anywhere in about a 40 degree arc of timing. 12° is a bit much, especially if you're putting in E5 or E10, somewhere closer to 8-10° should see it run cooler. Get the timing right first, then tweak the carb. Doubt it's dirty, likely if it's running that warm it'll be boiling up. I didn't see, does it have a phenolic insulating spacer between the carb and manifold?

Also considered checking if the transmission has provision for connecting to the cooler? I see it's just plugged.
Does the fan run all the time or just when it gets hot? These were designed for big ol' mechanical fan circulating all the time...

Status update on the gearbox cooler:

I had a poke around in front of the radiator and the space is much smaller than I first thought. I removed the grill, which is much easier if you remove the headlights.



Then I chose a spot for the cooler



The hoses are going to run through the side mounting panel for the radiator



I decided to use some angle brackets I already had, they lined up well with the cooler and with a tweak to the angle will attach to the front apron piece nicely.

Next job was to get it up in the air, not as easy as it sounds given how tight it is in the garage...



The back is up on some home made wooden ramps.
Then I got the front higher on axle stands under the frame rails



This gives me access to this chunky sump pan



I read a tip to undo the sump from one end which allows the fluid to dribble out without the whole thing falling on you/the floor, this actually worked quite well



Double drip tray for safety.

After a lot of faff trying to remove the sump, I realised I had to lower the cross member, so unbolted most of it while the back of the box was supported on a jack.

This is what greeted me



Not great, but not terrible. There's obviously a fair bit of residue, but no bits. It doesn't smell burnt really, maybe a little worse than fresh oil? It's still pretty red.

It's probably done about 500 miles since the last fluid change, but that could have flushed all manner of curse word out of the circuits.
I've got everything crossed a fluid and filter change will be ok.
Speaking of which, I removed the filter and fitted the new one.

Current sitrep: the sump is refitted but only with a few bolts to hold it in place, I had to come in for tea...
New dipstick still to be fitted.
New pipes still to be made.

Also, I whipped the speedo cable out and ran it with the drill. This resulted in no reading at the speedo itself, so I think I've messed something up at the back of the cluster - great.
I removed a very home made looking extension to the internal of the cable when fitting the new one and threw it in the bin. I now think I might need it, so have the unenviable task of going through my garage bin to find this extension...

I hope I don't sound too negative as it was a pretty productive week squeezing in around a wife recovering from COVID, school runs, housework, normal work, school fair today and nieces coming to stay