runnin hot

[jrobertop88]

How you fellas Doin, got a little problem, I have 3 layer aluminum radiator, with a 3000 cfm fan behind it. But my lady (stepper) still tend to run high on temp on me. Running at 195-210. The only way I've stayed at 175-180 is with my hood off, but in California, that's bad. What are you guys doing to keep cool under the hood? Im running stock 350 jasper motor with 700r4. Any ideas or info. What is your set up... Thanks fellas.

[AcampoDave]

I have 2 c10's one stock and one not. Both are 283's and both have identical cooling systems, factory style radiators with shroud and same flex fans. The non-stock motor has an aluminum manifold but both trucks have identical electric temp guages with the sender near the water neck. The guage on the stocker stays at 180 but the other truck reads steady 200-210. One hot Cali day (when my wife wasn't watching) I put the turkey thermometer in each radiator after driving several miles. Both radiators showed 180 degrees even tho the non-stock truck guage was at 200 plus. Could be the aluminum manifold having more conductivity, I dunno. But have you checked your truck in a similar fashion?

[WEBBY1]

what's the ratio of your mixture?

[jrobertop88]

I have not checked for any of those suggestions, but I will now. I will have an answer. Thanks

[AcampoDave]

Good deal then, just be sure you don't encounter Ol' Faithful when you remove the cap. And if you do the turkey therm deal, have a look at the actual flow of the coolant. It should have a noticeable current in the radiator.

[jrobertop88]

I have 50/50 from autozone . And a bottle of royal purple

[63burban]

Run either 160 or 180 thermostat, 195 is too hot for the old critters, takes more to cool them down. Especially in the warmer climate states. Flush the rad, heater core and block to make sure they aren't plugged.

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by 63burban

Run either 160 or 180 thermostat, 195 is too hot for the old critters, takes more to cool them down. Especially in the warmer climate states. Flush the rad, heater core and block to make sure they aren't plugged.

According to the GM books, 195º thermostats started in 1968; you have to go back to the splash lube 216 era to find stuff colder than 180º IIRC. 180-195º has been found to be ideal for reducing wear and sludge buildup. FWIW, I personally have 180º thermostats in all my stuff right now.

Also, if he runs 175-180º with the hood off, he doesn't have a 195º thermostat.

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by 63burban

Run either 160 or 180 thermostat, 195 is too hot for the old critters, takes more to cool them down. Especially in the warmer climate states. Flush the rad, heater core and block to make sure they aren't plugged.

Thats totally wrong, providing you have a shroud and a rad in good condition, you should run 180 - 192 -stat, reason being is you keep coolant in the rad longer allowing it to cool off before t-stat opens. I think in his case he should start with 180 stat, ( shroud does he have one ) if not get one, check timing, ( vaccum advance hooked up and working ) and fuel mix, check for vaccum leaks, where is sender wired to head vs intake manifold, check for collasped lower hose, ensure pump is good and check accuracy of gauge.

[jrobertop88]

I've flushed it the radiator, new pump. New antifreeze. I just took out the tstat, gonna test it tomorrow, and I'll pick up those gadgets to run that test. Thanks for the info, I will keep you guys posted.

[63suburban]

My water temp guage runs about 10 degrees hotter than the actual temp. So therefore was not actually running hot, the faulty gauge made me think so.

Here is a link to an article on testing it out.

http://www.madelectrical.com/worksho...mp-gauge.shtml

[jrobertop88]

No shroud, I took it off because it was causing the heat to rise a lot quicker....

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by jrobertop88

No shroud, I took it off because it was causing the heat to rise a lot quicker....

?????...

[brokenspoke]

Originally Posted by jrobertop88

No shroud, I took it off because it was causing the heat to rise a lot quicker....

Wrong move. imho

[jrobertop88]

And I did double check rotation of my fan it's sucking air instead of blowing it...

[AcampoDave]

Originally Posted by jrobertop88

And I did double check rotation of my fan it's sucking air instead of blowing it...

You mean it's blowing air from the engine compartment outward thru the radiator and grille and into open air??

[jrobertop88]

No, it's taking outside air into the engine bay. Blowing air on to engine from outside air.

[AcampoDave]

Originally Posted by jrobertop88

No, it's taking outside air into the engine bay. Blowing air on to engine from outside air.

Good, that's the way it should be. In traffic a radiator needs outside air drawn in by the fan to stay cool. Hot ol' engine air would do it little good. Gotta keep it cool, dig?

[jrobertop88]

If I left the shroud on my temp would rise quick. Without it I'm running a lot cooler

[AcampoDave]

Maybe you should post a pic of your fan because this is the first time I've ever heard of a shroud being a hindrance to the cooling process.

[blazer-k5]

Agreed, a picture would be cool.

[jrobertop88]

Tryin to upload via mobile, but not letting me...

[jrobertop88]

https://db.tt/kzaaDxG9

[jrobertop88]

https://db.tt/V2kcTAdm

[Captainfab]

A couple things I see right off is 1) your radiator is not sealed to the opening in the radiator support. I can see where air can get past the radiator on the sides. And 2) with the fan mounted like that, it is only cooling part of the radiator. It is better to have a shroud that covers the entire radiator, and accomodates the fan being used. It also appears that quite a few of the fins on the radiator are bent over. If they are bent over, air can not get thru.