LX_SS

hey guys,

i got a 85 firebird, 3 inch aliminium twin core radiator, new fabb'd deflector at the bottom, 16 inch thermo fan, new 180f/82c thermostat (it does work) but after all this my engine still runs at 95c(200f)-105c(220f) even today hit 110c(230f) on a 27c(80f) day. (everything working, fans, thermostat)

its no matter if i'm doing 60miles on the freeway or doing 30 in the streets. however i do find if i give it a tad the temp gets hotter quickly, also to warm up it happens very quick. i've also played with timing and it doesn't effect it at all.

the engine is a 350 chev crate motor

any suggestions ????

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

hows the water pump?

LX_SS

water pump seems to be good, the motor has only done at the most 15000k's

cheppibear

How much power is the crate motor putting out? TPI or carb?

How is the condition of the water pump?

How are you measuring the temperature, from the dash gauge?

I hate these dash gauges because they tell you the temp of the coolant in the head, not the temp of the coolant leaving the block. Sender might be defective.

I installed a digital gauge with the sender in the thermostat housing for a true temperature on my 1984. Runs 179 degrees all day long.

LX_SS

the engine is a 290hp engine, carby, water pump is good. temp from the gauge yes but its an aftermarket gauge and new sender. the new sender is in the head.

cheppibear

This should not be a problem for you.

You mention 15K on the motor so did this "climb" in temperature happen all of a sudden? Was the operating temperature ever within the 180 degree range with your gauge setup? Did you change something recently? Is your fabricated air dam working properly to bring/push enough air to the radiator surface?

My 355 (325HP) might go to 190 degrees leaving the engine but usually no higher driving on the highway in the summer time. At idle it will sit at 179 all day. How is your's at idle? Does the electric fan cool it enough? If not maybe your need a more powerful fan with more cfm.

I am running the factory belt driven clutch fan which is very efficient, you have an electric fan. I would be curious to know what the temperature is leaving the thermostat housing (going back into the rad).

LX_SS

temp was always a concern since i had the car, never has it been at 180f on the gauge when idling or crusing, i haven't changed anything apart from update that cooling setup, it was the same with the standard gm radiator, at idle i usually sit at 200-210f. the air dam is the same as the gm air dam, just more durable. the electric fan i think would work very well, however i have had a twin electric thermo fan setup on the stock gm radiator as well which is no different.

is it possible it could be a cracked head, or minor head gasket problem ???