Era Replica Automobiles 427 ROADSTER, Assembly And Service Manual

Page: 150 / 165

SECTION H -FINAL OPERATIONS -
150
COOLING SYSTEM
WATER HOSE LAYOUT (FE)
Install the radiator hoses (and optional top tube connector)
and lower hose connector. The hose part numbers and
instructions for modifying the front lower hose are covered
on page 39.
The radiator cooling fan thermostatic switch is in the lower
hose connector. Connect the harness wires as shown on
page 81 and detailed in the wiring instructions. (There is
also an over-ride switch on the dashboard).
See the diagrams below for the cooling system circuits.
Do NOT remove the spring from inside the long lower
hose. It prevents the hose from collapsing at speed.
Standard one-piece upper hose
With upper connecting tube
SETUP
The optimal operating temperature for most FE engines is
about 185F (85C). This will keep water condensation in
the oil to a minimum and allow adequate oil flow. We do
not recommend using a restrictor plate in place of a
thermostat unless the car is used exclusively for track use.
See page 157 for your best mix of water and anti-freeze.
With a 15psi pressure cap, the boiling point will be raised
to about 240

F.
Fill the system through the expansion tank, leaving about
1½” of expansion space above the coolant level.
With some engines (especially the FE Ford), air tends to be
trapped in the intake manifold and cylinder heads. To
remove the trapped air:

Drill the thermostat as shown on page 38.

Open the bleeder at the upper right of the radiator.
Fill the system with the cooling mixture. Once water
flows bubble free from the radiator bleeder, shut the
valve. Actually, we usually fill the system with
water first and pressure test for leaks, then drain half
the water out. We can also tell the condition of the
cleanliness of the cooling system by the drain water.

With the expansion tank full, loosen the water
temperature fitting on the intake manifold. Air will
be expelled. When nothing comes out but fluid,
tighten the fitting. If you have a
heater , it may be
necessary to bleed air from the system by
disconnecting a hose at the heater nipple.

Repeat the bleeding process after the car is run.
More air will usually come out.

Check the hoses and retighten all the hose clamps.
OVERHEATING:
Use a 165

F -180

F thermostat for street use. Leaving the
thermostat out will cause overheating. The boiling point of
a water/anti-freeze mixture with a 15 psi cap is over 230

F.
It is not harmful (and normal) for the water temperature to
rise to 210

F - 220

F with the car not moving.
We do NOT recommend using an underdrive
waterpump pulley on the street..
AT SPEED
The E.R.A. 427SC uses an oversized radiator made by
Griffin, rated for 600 bhp. Overheating at speed is almost
always the result of incorrect engine settings, usually
retarded ignition timing. Check your dynamic timing at
idle and 3000-3500rpm, or as recommended by your engine
builder. Sometimes an extremely tight (new) engine can
cause overheating.