Hi all,

Haven't posted in awhile, but after some time, my 1989 745T/ 5.0 AOD is running ! Hot...We're using the ( excellent condition ) stock 745T radiator, and are thinking about two 10" electric puller fans. The engine is a 1990 GT/5.0, stock, no problems...I plan to use the car as a backup to our daily drivers,w/ operating AC, so my goal is to have it run cool with minimal maintenance hassles...How about Water Wetter in the radiator ? Any and all suggestions/warnings/education would be appreciated from those of you who have been through this before !

Bonus question: Using stock rear end and newly rebuilt AOD. Considering using synthetic fluids in both after some initial "de-bugging" miles...Pros and Cons ?

Many thanks !!


Sincerely,

Bill Kelly/ Snellville, Ga.
770-982-4426

89 745T/5.0 almost done ( 232k total )
96 850 GLT ( 140k )
'01 Jetta TDI ( 150k )

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Bill - my car was originally (V8) built with the diesel radiator but I was not happy that the hose routing was screwy b/c the rad outlets were in the wrong location. I bought an early V6 copper-brass rad which had the outlets correct to match the 5.0 hoses and had a new 3-row core put in. Mounts exactly the same and about 2" wide core (3 rows of 1/2" depth). Sims Radiator in Decatur did it for me; ask for Mike 404-373-6156 (also have a Conyers shop, but Mike is the guy). The core is for a Cadillac model and Mike will remember my job and car b/c he came out to look at the V8 fitment with barely enough room for a puller fan.

I have moved my condensor forward with the hope of also mounting the rad a bit forward, but I would probably advise going with a dual 11" pusher setup or 3.8 Taurus or SHO fan. Also might want to get a BIG trans cooler in there while you're at it since the AOD lasts longer that way. I have a Ford F350 stacked plate cooler below my bumper to handle cooling along with the TransGo kit I had installed. Also running synthetic in the AOD helps longevity obviously.

Glad to hear the project is nearing stage 1 completion. We should meet up again after some debugging miles. Recently getting more interest in a TDI, too.

-Boozer
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88 760 wagon 5.0 & AOD

I have used the stock 4 cyl radiators before just to run the Volvos up to the exhaust shop etc. (Used to build them for Ross Converse) It does not have the cooling capacity needed. Works just fine for light driving but as soon as I try to maintain 60 mph's or better the temp gauge will climb. At 60 mph, if the coolant temp starts to creep up, it doesn't matter how many fans you have, you can be pretty sure you're starting to exceed the radiators cooling capcity.(assuming the rest of the cooling system is up to snuff) The 740 turbo diesel radiator will work beautifully and drops right in.

I use a Flex-a-lite model 230(puller)with there thermostat and a Aluminium 960 radiator. I have yet to have any problems with the setup. The fans flow 2500 CFM and keeps it quite cool even with A/C on. I had used this as a pusher version first in the location where the intercooler normally sits. After switching to the newer 5.0 engine with shorter accessories I was able to put it behind the radiator with a notch in the corner of it to clear the upper radiator hose. You may not be able to use it as a puller if you have very small clearance as with an automatic trans install.

I wouldn't bother with the Water Wetter - it won't hurt, but it won't make a huge difference either.

Here's a bit (address below) about the control set up on mine. I run a 24X16" (fits the diesel 240 rad. perfectly) dual 11" SPAL fully shrouded set up controlled by a Delta Current Control - variable speed/variable current. wwww.dccontrol.com I had a 16 fin/inch copper/brass 3-row core put in the stock 240 diesel housing. Looks like a stock Volvo rad, but with much more cooling capacity than the old 240's had.

http://www.etnracing.com/pages/Tech/FanControl.htm

I have used water wetter in the past in my 83 GTI. Although it is supposed to make your cooling fluid of choice more efficient, I don't believe you will see any big decreases in temperature without a mechanical change in the system. If there is room for two 10" pullers, that may very well do it. However, you will most likely need to consider an alternator upgrade to keep them working at full draw. I also recommend the DC Controls fan controller. I didn't have room for anything between the engine and the Ron Davis Racing radiator, so I pulled the stock A/C fan and put a 16" Spal pusher in its place. The car doesn't overheat any more, but the fan is loud! With the A/C, the controller runs the fan at 50%. Michael has a very nice dual fan set up on his car, but there wasn't room in mine to do it.

Good Luck!

Chris