radiators, AC, running hot

[getunderit]

'88 245: So I got readings on rad bottom hose up to 225--227 with AC running when needle on dash approaches red, while top hose was in 180s that is with emissivity on my gun set at 86 for soft rubber, or 91 which is for plastic, but doesn't seem to make much diff. With needle at half I got readings at first around 188 on top, and around 212 bottom, but when I checked again in 190s on top, so not sure how accurate either the guage or gun is, but, it does seem to run hotter with AC on. SO, wondering if replacing the OEM rad with a 3-core would help? There is about 6" from fan to back of rad, so should be plenty of room for the extra 1.5--1.8" of the extra core. I already installed a tropical fan clutch, and I think the t-stat is OK (I'm wondering though since I'm in the SE US, if taking the t-stat out altogether would be ok?). Been using Shop Pro coolant (yellow), so also wondering if I used Prestone Max if that would make a diff? I think probably not much diff bet. the two, except for some "proprietary" rust inhibitors...

 

[getunderit]

Hi All--here is the issue. I'd like to increase towing capacity (owner manual says anything above 1.5k lb req. a tranny cooler) but also deal with a hot run with AC on. When the manual suggests adding a tranny cooler for larger towing loads, I assume that means in addition to the factory-installed tranny cooling that is built in to the 2-core OEM radiator? I can get a 3-core radiator, but it is set up for manual tranny (can't find one set up for auto), meaning that it does not have the connections to the OEM tranny cooler built in to the origingal radiator. So I can add on a 6 or 8 pass stand-alone tranny cooler, So Q is, if i install the 3-core rad that does not have the built in oil cooler, but then add on a 6-8 pass stand alone, would that give me enough added tranny cooling to handle up to th 3.5k tow limit, while also helping to solve the hot run issue, or would I be solving the latter, but in the same place RE tranny cooling, since orig built in cooling would be taken out of the loop?