hello everyone

[57 Ford Kustom]

Hello my fellow Rodders,
   Some of you may be shocked to see "57 Ford Kustom" agian. Tom was my father, and a member of 57 fords forever. I am his son Tim, and inherited his 57 custom 300 three years ago upon his death. I just came to this sight a couple of days ago, and decided it would be good to become a member. I know my father loved this sight, and it's members. I emailed to inquire about membership and jpotter57 thought it would be a good idea if I just assumed my fathers spot here. I am not a wealth of knowledge, but I know that you guys are, so don't be alarmed if I ask some pretty dumb questions at times! I have replaced the "Y block" with a 351W (sorry Dad!) and have over heat issues, any suggestions? I look forward to meeting and chatting with you guys in the future.

Thanks agian,
Blue Dot kid 2 

[JimNolan]

Welcome Tim,
    It's nice seeing pictures of the car again. You're Dad has been missed.
The heating problem. I've found out there is no cheap way of doing anything that lasts very long. I've torn up radiators with electric fans, recored older radiators with no success and tried heat shrouds etc. My 390 can sit all day long in 90 degree heat and never go over 190 degrees. After hundreds of dollars wasted, I bought a Griffin Aluminum Radiator made for my 57 @ $500.00 and a air conditioning 6 blade fan from Ford @ $50.00. Put the fan blade 1/2" from the radiator and that cured all my problems. I did the same for my 406 63 Ford and have almost identical results. I drive my cars a little bit different than most guys do though. I've put 33,075 miles on my 57 since frame off in March of 2009. I've got to have something that works. Good luck and Welcome again. Jim

[Zapato]

X2 everything Jim said, but if you can find a 7 bladed clutched Mopar fan you won't be sorry. Check u-pull yards found mine in a jeep cherokee.

Zap-

[rmk57]

I was using the stock rad and it wouldn't keep the 460 cool, so I bought a becool aluminum rad. Had to do a minor amount of trimming on the rad support to move it forward. It has a 19" fan from a E-250 van and a fan clutch with no shroud of any kind. It never gets any hotter than 185 in summer and fall driving I block a third of it off so it will get up to proper temp.

[JPotter57]

I like the Bluedot Kid 2 moniker, Tim.  Welcome, again, glad to see you on here.  Regardless of the Y to 351W swap, I think Tom would be proud.  The 351W swap is a good one, I had one in my last 57, but it was a stroker (427 inches). I used an aluminum crossflow radiator, modified the core support to mount it, and it never ran hot, well except in the beginning when I was running that cool looking small pointy bladed fan.  Once I put a 7 blade FoMoCo fan on it, never had another problem.  Good luck.

[RICH MUISE]

Tim, Welcome to the Forum. I wasn't a member here when your dad was, but I've read many of his posts, and as Jim said, it's great seeing pics of the car again. It's great seeing the interest you have in continuing to keep it in the family...I can only hope my son does the same when the time comes. I'm sure your dad is smiling on that one, and I think it won't take you too long to figure out why your dad liked this forum so much.
Rich

[Zapato]

Guys,

Just so you know I received a pm from Tim answering a question I asked of Tom prior to his passing. Totally unexpected but shows a true respect not only for his dad but respect for his legacy. Obviously Tom not only did right by his car but by his son. Welcome! again.

Zap-

[57 Ford Kustom]

X2 everything Jim said, but if you can find a 7 bladed clutched Mopar fan you won't be sorry. Check u-pull yards found mine in a jeep cherokee.

Zap-

Zap,
   Will the bolt holes of the Mopar match the 351W pattern?
   Thanks,
    Tim

[Zapato]

was quite awhile back seems like remember doing a bit of filing elongating the holes, nothing major. on a 302

Zap-

[Frankenstein57]

Tim, welcome back. Guys like your dad are what makes this site. Always jumping in with an answer or opinion' or much needed support. Mark