cooling problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jefe · 08-12-2002, 12:05 AM

here's the problem...got a small block that is running hot I just built it myself...have a brand new 4 core radiator, 160 T-stat, new water pump, new hoses, new fan shroud. Anybody have any ideas on how to keep it cool? If I do go with an electric fan, should I take off the stock fan?? or should I run a pusher or puller? single or dual?? any idea would help...oh I am gonna run a tranny cooler eventually. Thanks guys!

Longhorn Man · 08-12-2002, 12:10 AM

when is it over heating...in city traffic, or freeway. and what temp are you calling over heating?
If you are going by your stock guage or light, start with a new guage...even a cheap parts store unit will work.
Do you have a clutch fan, and if so, is it working properly?
Sounds like you have most everything covered.
You don't have the timning advanced real far do you?

Jefe · 08-12-2002, 12:16 AM

Running hot in general...230 degrees, haven't driven it in traffic yet, have a flex fan, new guage not stock (mechanical not electric) timing is stock timing for now. btw its NOT overheating...just running hot. Thanks again!!

**chevy71super** · 08-12-2002, 12:18 AM

Longhorn is correct, check the guage and check the sending unit. After I rebuilt my truck the stock guage would peg hot after about 5 minutes. I tried a couple of different things but the guage always read hot yet it never boiled over. I put the old sending unit (in the thermostat housing) back in and the temperature was right where it needed to be.

Longhorn Man · 08-12-2002, 12:23 AM

Well...230 is getting a bit warm...I don't like seeing anything over 215, and when i run my 160 thermostat, i get uncomefortablew at 180.
I would take that flax fan and break the blades off and bury it. Those things are as dangerouse as the old split ring rims. THe blades come off and slice through the hood and anyone in the way. I've seen one slice through a camaro hood and the hood frame like it was a hot knife through soft butter.
Grab a good clutch and a 5 blade fixed blade fan. Junk yard would only charge you about 25 bucks...and that's if they are at bastard prices. I'd replace any junk yard clutch though.
That's where I'd start.

Jefe · 08-12-2002, 12:28 AM

I'll try the clutch fan...not opposed to trying anything new...brand new gauge..and it is mechanical so there is no sending unit. Thanks.

Mudder · 08-12-2002, 01:46 AM

a hotter thermostat. like a 180 or 185. A 160 may be staying open so long that the water in the radiator doesnt have time to cool. Just a thought.

Fred T · 08-12-2002, 02:00 AM

How much time on the new engine? Any new and tight engine will run hot, especially during the cam break-in procedure. Find somewhere you can drive in the 50 mph range and see what it does. Also, get the engine hot with the radiator cap off so you can stick a thermometer in the radiator. I use a thermometer out of the kitchen, just be sure it gets washed real good before it goes back in the drawer.

6869704X4 · 08-12-2002, 11:02 AM

Where did you get the water pump? Is it a good one? Back in 99 after 30 years of faithfull service my 69 Camaro pump died. This was the original water pump. Got one from Discount(which I call no-count) and my car ran 20-25 degrees hotter. And they wouldnt take it back. I screwed up and was honest about it not really over heating just running hotter.

08-12-2002, 12:05 AM	#1
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	cooling problem here's the problem...got a small block that is running hot I just built it myself...have a brand new 4 core radiator, 160 T-stat, new water pump, new hoses, new fan shroud. Anybody have any ideas on how to keep it cool? If I do go with an electric fan, should I take off the stock fan?? or should I run a pusher or puller? single or dual?? any idea would help...oh I am gonna run a tranny cooler eventually. Thanks guys!

08-12-2002, 12:16 AM	#3
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	k Running hot in general...230 degrees, haven't driven it in traffic yet, have a flex fan, new guage not stock (mechanical not electric) timing is stock timing for now. btw its NOT overheating...just running hot. Thanks again!!

08-12-2002, 12:28 AM	#6
Jefe Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 299	Sounds good. I'll try the clutch fan...not opposed to trying anything new...brand new gauge..and it is mechanical so there is no sending unit. Thanks.

08-12-2002, 01:46 AM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Try a hotter thermostat. like a 180 or 185. A 160 may be staying open so long that the water in the radiator doesnt have time to cool. Just a thought.

08-12-2002, 11:02 AM	#9
6869704X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: SE NM Posts: 769	Where did you get the water pump? Is it a good one? Back in 99 after 30 years of faithfull service my 69 Camaro pump died. This was the original water pump. Got one from Discount(which I call no-count) and my car ran 20-25 degrees hotter. And they wouldnt take it back. I screwed up and was honest about it not really over heating just running hotter. __________________ The more I learn about women, the more I love my truck.

08-12-2002, 12:10 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	when is it over heating...in city traffic, or freeway. and what temp are you calling over heating? If you are going by your stock guage or light, start with a new guage...even a cheap parts store unit will work. Do you have a clutch fan, and if so, is it working properly? Sounds like you have most everything covered. You don't have the timning advanced real far do you?

08-12-2002, 12:18 AM	#4
chevy71super Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: So Cal Posts: 658	Longhorn is correct, check the guage and check the sending unit. After I rebuilt my truck the stock guage would peg hot after about 5 minutes. I tried a couple of different things but the guage always read hot yet it never boiled over. I put the old sending unit (in the thermostat housing) back in and the temperature was right where it needed to be.

08-12-2002, 12:23 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Well...230 is getting a bit warm...I don't like seeing anything over 215, and when i run my 160 thermostat, i get uncomefortablew at 180. I would take that flax fan and break the blades off and bury it. Those things are as dangerouse as the old split ring rims. THe blades come off and slice through the hood and anyone in the way. I've seen one slice through a camaro hood and the hood frame like it was a hot knife through soft butter. Grab a good clutch and a 5 blade fixed blade fan. Junk yard would only charge you about 25 bucks...and that's if they are at bastard prices. I'd replace any junk yard clutch though. That's where I'd start.

08-12-2002, 02:00 AM	#8
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	How much time on the new engine? Any new and tight engine will run hot, especially during the cam break-in procedure. Find somewhere you can drive in the 50 mph range and see what it does. Also, get the engine hot with the radiator cap off so you can stick a thermometer in the radiator. I use a thermometer out of the kitchen, just be sure it gets washed real good before it goes back in the drawer.



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