Problem is when I drive it for a bit, it will hover around 220 degrees, but will slowly start creeping up to 230 degrees. Stock radiator for an A/C car, so I assume it's a 3 row. I also still have the stock A/C hooked up with condenser if that matters. Still running the stock single electric fan that came with the H.O. with an adjustable fan switch set to kick on at 180 degrees.

Fan runs constantly the whole time after engine temp reaches 180. Upper/lower radiator hoses new and not collapsing.

I've tried both 180 and 165 degree thermostats, no t-stat at all, and it's the same thing. Tried adjusting timing and no change. Tried 2 different water pumps - same. Engine is fresh rebuild, details in sig.

Any ideas?? Cause I'm out of them myself...

I'm considering getting an aftermarket radiator, but I'd rather not spend the $$$ if it doesn't help, or masking what the problem really is....

BTW, the hot weather isn't even here yet! This is at around 65-75 degrees outside temp. I don't think I could drive it on a hot day the way it is.

Thanks for any help in advance!!

 

i run a griffin radiator and use the dual fan setup that helps. i noticed the biggest help with a summit hi flow water pump.if you don't use the air removing the condensor will help get more air. the front air dam is still in place?my car runs about 180* with the above mods

 

Thanks for the info! I was beginning to think no one would respond. Do you run the Griffin radiator because you have to? And yes, the front air dam's in place. I had a new high flow water pump on it before, but it wasn't circulating till I put the stock water pump back on. Weird...

I do plan on keeping the A/C if I can, but I'll lose it if that's what it'll take to keep it cool.

I've been hearing conflicting info on how this engine should run. Some say that with my setup, it should run cool no problem with all the stock stuff - which I can't seem to get it to do. But the same people say the cam I have should idle smoothly - yet it lopes at idle like a top fuel funny car!! Don't get me wrong, it screams off idle!

Thx again.

 

i used the 5.0 radiator for a year. when i added the aluminum it made controlling the heat allot easier, i usually only run 1 of the 12" fans. horsepower builds heat so you have to disipate it somehow. i've read allot on here about other peoples experiences,mine is adding the griffin and the hi-flow pump.i've been stuck in the staging lanes for hours at idle , never gets above180*

 

Your sig says you're running Dart Iron Eagle heads. Did you drill the steam holes in the heads before you installed them?

 

What part number is your griffin radiator? How much do they cost?

 

I ran hot in my 383 (230°) when i put it in. I had all stock cooling system stuff. I replaced the water pump with a Stewart Stage 1 and it helped a little, now it ran 225°.

I then tried the water adders, like WaterWetter and such with no luck, maybe 1° lower.

I swapped the stock radiator with a universal fit Griffen dual 1.25" tubes. Now we are talking a bigger drop here but still warm for me and my AC, around 210°-215°.

I finally bit the bullet and replaced my dual IROC fans with dual SPAL 11" high performance fans. Wow!, this engine never goes past 190° now in the summertime.

Just thought I'd share my experiance and testing with everybody.

 

Sorry for the very late response. Yes, the steam holes were drilled. I thought I had it figured the problem out to be the ignition timing for a while, but after taking it out for a long drive one day - I looked at the temp gage, and it was hovering around 230 again!

So - I'm not sure where to go from here.