Engine temp range question

[Cap'n Hook]

Since i flushed out the old coolant and put in the new thermostat, hoses, coolant, and cap. The Jimmy still seems to run hotter than it should, so I feel.

My Sunpro mechanical temp reads between 200°-215° actual temperature measured on the driver side head between the number 1 and number 3 exhaust port.

My question is, is that normal operating temp (200°-215°) with a 185° t-stat at 90° ambient temperature driving down the road in South Texas Hill country type weather?

[k5blazin]

did you back fill the engine with coolant? sometimes they can get air bound.

[Cap'n Hook]

Yes, did a premix of 50/50 coolant/water!

[chevyblazer]

try with out termostat mine rides at 170 with 359 the other one 454 runs 190 with out termostat but heres not to hot maybe ask a guy thats lives near

[68GMCCustom]

what did it run before you did everything to it?

[Cap'n Hook]

PO didn't run a thermostat, and it ran almost identical temps. The flush, refill, and now running a t-stat, it still runs 200-215 on hot days. I'm not really sure that's too hot, considering my 2005 sub runs constant almost 210, winter or summer, towing or not with electric fans.

How hot is too hot on an '88-'89 Goodwrench motor heads and block?

[68GMCCustom]

235+ is getting hot. Have you checked your fan clutch or are you running one? How old is the radiator? Have you tried cleaning out the fins from bugs and road debris by spraying water though the radiator? If all this is good the radiator might be clogged internally. Also, does your water pump leak? If so it needs replaced.

[cleszkie]

What is your initial timing set at? You should be somewhere between 10 and 12 degrees of advance. Too much advance will tend to make things run hotter. Also, check your fuel pressure and or fuel pump. Too little pressure or a failing pump can make the engine run lean, and hotter than normal. Just some things to think about. Good luck.

[Cap'n Hook]

So nobody has a mechanical temp gauge? Still wondering what the actual water temperature runs in everyone's truck.

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Hook

So nobody has a mechanical temp gauge? Still wondering what the actual water temperature runs in everyone's truck.

that could probably vary from 165f to 230f or so....hard to say considering most of these trucks aren't in original condition...having either repairs with non OEM parts or peformance mods. 180-200 would be "normal" I would think.

[mdunn]

My 383 runs at 195 degrees (autometer sport comp eletrical gauge) with a 190 degree thermostat. Running stock radiator and flex fan. Hope this answers your question better.

[Cap'n Hook]

Yes, it does. Thanks! I'm gonna try finding a larger spacer for the fan clutch to move it more into the fan shroud. The blades are just inside the shroud, and it may not be moving enough air, creating a suction.

[68GMCCustom]

I believe the blades aren't supposed to be all the way in or all the way out....more like 75% in/covered by the shroud?

is your truck a 4x4 because the 4x4 shroud is deeper. I have one if you need one or just need pics, its made of fiberglass and maybe 1yr old.

[Tynee]

My '93 350 will run 190 to 195 depending on exterior temp. measured in the aluminum intake manifold, driver's side, toward the front. Running a sunpro mechanical gauge.

[Yukon Jack]

The 454 in my 69 K20 runs about 185-190 when driving on a 100 degree day and in traffic sometimes hits 200. I've got a good mechanical fan, new 4 core radiator and a 195 degree thermostat. I've never gotten around to reinstalling the radiator shroud.

[D.PASSMORE]

I noticed a big temp change when I moved the temp sending unit from the water neck to the left side head between number one and three cylinder. In the water neck it ran 195-200 consistant. Mounted in the clyinder head it varies from 195 to 220 according how fast I'm traveling or towing something. I run a stock dash but checked it with a different guage that shows degrees. I think mounted in the head, its fairly close to the cylinders and that make the temp vary a little more??