I have a 1989 irocz with a brand new chevy 350 crate 260hp/350tq motor in it. It's equipped with a 17 in engine driven fan with stock fan shroud, a 16 in electric pusher fan on opposite side of radiator, a 185 thermostat, a brand new stock radiator, brand new upper and lower radiator hoses, proform 650cfm carb, and the air dam is intact. There car is running at 220 degree under normal driving conditions. I have tried a 160 thermo and a 195 thermo and both of those caused it to get even hotter. Anyone have any idea on the cause for the mor running so hot

 

my opinion is the stat, its open all the time and doesn't let the water cool believe it or not.

 

Tried removing the mech fan, and switching your electric one to a puller mounted on the other side? I'm running like that with a 180, mangled dam and a crappy radiator in ball-soup-humid Kansas and I'm at 170-200. 210 on a really hot day

 

Originally I had it that way and it was running even hotter. I'm not sure if this is break in heat or there is something wrong.

 

How new is the motor?

 

Is the engine heating up more while driving? Or Idling?

 

Running 220 In summer heat isn't out of the norm. The cars run hot because of the 195degree Stat for emissions

 

220* is normal operating temp for these cars. As long as it doesn't get any hotter than that, you should be fine. If it's not boiling over, you're not overheating. Also, realize that your gauge my be off. Double check the temps with an IR thermostat. My car has a 210* fan. Using that as a guide, my car is easily reading 230* when it kicks on meaning i'm reading 15-20* hotter than it actually is.

 

yeah i just checked mine. gauge reads 220 thermo housing reads 175-180 with a infrared gun

 

Is it the factory sensor/gauge?

 

Do you have the correct water pump on the engine? (i.e. one that is for the belt setup you have?)

I had a serpentine water pump on my engine (with a V-belt setup) and experienced very similar issues to what you're describing. Swapped it out for the right one and was good to go.

Only time I ever touch 200 is in stop and go traffic in 95+ degree weather.

 

Good one Dixie.......never heard it called that! I could have used that down here
in Bama this past weekend!

 

Ya I know if it was open all the time it would cause overheating it's a brand new stat and it was tested prior to installation

 

brand new I've only put like 50 miles on it between testing and regular driving

 

I'm running originally accessories minus the water pump it's a serpentine setup. I had to purchase a originally 305 pump because the water pump pulley for the 305 and 350 have differe bolt holes

 

Ok, was the 305 pump you purchased also for a serpentine setup? just verifying.

 

It was an oem stock pump and these were serpentine stock correct?

 

Ok, yes for 89 they were.

 

It's a brand new temp gauge and the car is rising above 220 while idling or driving around subdivisions and the gauge sensor is on the intake manifold