high temps under the hood.

[jb9281]

My engine bay gets very hot. I am running a 350 4 barrel with rams horn exhaust manifolds. How hot should it get under the hood when idleing? The manifolds get about 460-475 degrees with my infared gun. Would it run cooler with headers? I only have about 150 miles on this truck since resto.

[craiginaustin]

I don't know about manifold temp, but my temp gauge reads 180-200 F (at most).

It was running much hotter until I realized the timing was too far advanced. Running lean = higher temperatures.

[ProudSoul]

I dont know about manifold temp either. My gauge goes to 200 if its idling forever. I switched from longtubes to ramhorns and noticed a huge temp difference (around 30 degrees). I had to switch to distilled water and water wetter to keep it under 200. Those ramhorns build up heat like no other! I had problems with vapor lock too after the switch and had to move my fuel line around

[craiginaustin]

Oh, forgot to mention I'm running the stock cast-iron manifolds.

[jb9281]

My factory heat gauge runs from half way {driving down the road} to 3/4 {when idling with ac on -15 mins} Infared gun reads reads about 185-200 on t-stat housing at 3/4 gauge. no water boiling over, does not appear to be running to hot. Just seems like a lot of heat under the hood when idlining. Running a champion 3 row with a 17" 2400 cfm puller fan with a flat aluminum shroud.

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

To much Timming and Not enough Fuel Causes Lean Burn and high Temperature
Check your Carb and Fuel Pressure

[jb9281]

new manual fuel pump, new elderbrock carb, have not checked the pressure. How can I check pressure without adding gauge?

[61K10]

Just a note--remember that everything under the hood is metal (not plastic as in today's stuff) gonna be warm under there.

[TJ's Chevy]

Headers are thinner and will make things run hotter. If your running 200 degrees at idle that's no big deal. Its when you get to the 215-220 rang you want to be careful. Might try seeing what your initial timing is set at. Maybe turn your a/f screws out 1/2 a turn and see if that helps.