i did a swap 3.1 to a 350 it will idle all day at 180* but when i drive it it goes up to to 230-240 then decides to die i can start it back up but but it rus like s***. i put a 160* stat in it,new rad, coolant is circulating,electric fan is running constantly,i filled the block at the stat and the coolant is running into the overflow container,should i run a fan off of the water pump? whats next?

 

the rad you swapped too...is it for an 8 cyl? the sixers were kinda narrow compared to the 8 cyls rads. check the temp all the way up and down the rad after it`s at 220 or so, and see if it`s fairly even all way across

 

its the same rad it holds about 4-5 gallons

 

heres a pic of the rad

 

Do you have an air dam under the front of the car?

 

no i dont have one, never have as long as ive owned the car, do you think if i remove the a/c core in front of the rad it would make any differance?

 

It would help to put an air dam in there to force air up around the radiator to help cool it while driving. Removing the A/C core in front of the radiator will not make that big a difference I do not believe.

 

Idle all day at 180 and you have a 160 in it? You need to replace the air dam for flow while driving. While your under there, sqeeze
the bottom hose. If you can sqeeze it flat at any point between the radiator and the pump it's probably sucking flat every time the termostat opens above 1,500 rpm cutting off the coolant flow
to the engine. It's even easier to go flat when warm because the rubber is more flexible. You might have gotten away with out the air dam with the 6 banger but the 350 builds more heat. good luck

 

is the air ram similar to a shroud on the underside of the rad?

 

If you look under the car there will be a black plastic piece that goes across the front of the car.It scoops air in through the radiator to keep things cool.Type in air dam in the search windo,I'm sure there is a picture.

 

i just made a little closer observation of my lower hose, i knew it had a coil in it but i just didnt check it all the way up to the w/p and hmmmmm pretty flimsy no coil there,and i have a peice of what im assuming was my air ram so next on my never ending list of things to do, thanx guys

 

If you look under the front of my car you can see the air dam sticking out a little.

 

yes i see it, thank you for your help,obviously i dont have one

 

Gee, wish I had a dig. cam. so I could show off my form! Still, your all lucky with the ground efct's. The air dam on my form. flat looks ugly hanging down under the front end!