falcon towing

Is the car manual or auto?

If it's auto I think the auto trans cooler is in the radiator. Might be adding to the load.

Was it cleaned out properly, to do this the radiator has to be half pulled apart and a stell rod has to pass from top to bottom or one side to the other, the problem Ford had was the casing sand in the engine block ends up in the radiator, which blocks it. A proper radiator specialist knows how to do this otherwise your themosat needs replacing.

I've heard this many times talking to other travellers...

I imagine you have an auto and the problem as told to me is that you must not tow in 'overdrive'

There is a fix for it but can't remember what it is. Something to do with cooling the oil in the transmission.

Stuval
We have a similar vehicle, the EF. Ours has no front grill; I think the EL is the same? Many reports of these cars overheating, very common problem. Friend of mine totaled his motor on a trip in NSW in an EF as it overheated and he didn't stop driving soon enough, he was not even towing anything.
On a recent trip down the Hume, Syd-Mel, we were glad we took the Mazda as I am quite sure the EF would not have made it, we would have had to wait until night / cooler weather. Temp was above 40 only relatively modern cars we saw on the side with bonnets up were EF & EL's!!! We saw 4 of them like that and none driving - and we were looking out for them the whole trip.

It's a shame as the engine is soooo suited to towing otherwise.
My advice - change vehicles.
Hope this helps
Steve

As above I would go get a auto trans gooler and fit it, that solved the problem with my Ford using the radiator to cool the oil as well as the engine coolant.

good luck

The EF-EL Falcon’s are known for running hot, I feel one of the problems is not enough airflow throe the radiator.

If you have already had the radiator done I suggest you completely flush the system agene, replace the thermostat with a 77degree aftermarket one and run red line Water Wetter and distilled water with a 20% mix of Ford coolant. We did this on my brothers EL and it made a big difference, He has Extractors, Intake, and Upgraded Cam as well. Also if you don’t have an Axillary Auto transmission cooler get one put in.

When the temp gage is hitting the O mark that is around about 105degrees

I have towed with a EL Fairmont a few years ago from Perth to Coral bay in 40+Degree heat and the temp gauge sat on R/O the hole way and hit Middle of the N once had the Climate control set on 19Degrees A/C going flat out for the hole trip it never overheated but got F***ing close.

Has the head gasket Blown yet?, this is another Know problem of the E series Ford’s as well, Thay are a cork gaket, If it does go get it replaced with a AU head gasket they make a difference apparently and are not cork, If they are going to go it’s around the 110,000 to 160,000 mark.

I have a sheet around somewhere that gives you the instructions on how to tap into the diagnostic mod dash read out, one of the functions is it gives you a digital Engine water temp readout, I will see if I can find it and post it up.