I am having a overheating problem with my BB. 396 solid lifter motor.Clutch with 7 blade fan. I pulled off engine after the car overheated waiting to enter Hot Rod Power Tour in Columbia, SC.:o temp reached 250F, lost some water. On trip home about 20 miles temp stayed around 210F. that days temp in the 80s. does anyone know how to check operation of the clutch? I tried heating with small torch saw spring move. but no change in tension on shaft when rotated. bad right??:confused:

You can test it on the car with the engine running, not exactly high teck but it works. Roll up a piece of light card board like the kind that comes in a new shirt. Run the engine up about 2000 rpm and gently insert the rolled up cardboard into the rear of the fan, if the fan comes to a stop, it is not doing it's job. If it wants to take it out of your hand then it is ok. Lets see what some other folks can recommend. Do you ever go to the US 1 Cruise In at Fat Boy's? I do from time to time. I would like to talk with you sometime.

Jesse

yes I do The club i am in started that event. I think i've seen your car before here. I was there last night in the wife's 1966 mustang on the row next to the road and tents, the chevelle stayed home cause of problem with temp. you may have seen my 68 ss396 black on black car with ss/396 front fender emblems and amber headlight on in board set of 4 headlights

Yes I have seen you car since you described it, it is a pretty car. I was not there last night. I went to a car show in Kershaw for Mike Hinson, I will have to tell you about it sometime, I do not intend to ever go back unless they make some serious changes in how they do business. I hope you get the temp problem fixed. I kept a close eye on mine yesterday coming back from Kershaw, it ran 180 going up in the morning, coming back it ran 190-195 with the A/C on, I am running a 3 core radiator Modine 289, clutch fan, shroud, Stewart Water Pump (stage 1 I believe) 6 blade fan, Robert Shaw 180 stat, 50/50 anti freeze/water. I think that is about it. I am extremely happy with the temp. I found this ole 66 396 about 3 years ago, everyone told you will be sorry it will run hot in my car, it has never done so, in fact my new GM 350 crate motor ran warmer than the 396. Have you done any trouble shooting since you got back from the Power Tour? Do you know Big James with the Red/Black Elky from West Cola? I sure hope you did not blow a head gasket. Keep me posted on what you find if you don't mind.

Good luck.

Jesse

Maybe this will help a little...

http://www.autoacforum.com/messageview.cfm?catid=20&threadid=10772

JJ"65
It did thank you
the article clarifed what i was seeing on the bench using a torch and cold tap water. I set the fan and clutch up in a vise were I could spin the fan with my hand. I used cold water first cause it was 85 degrees in the garage when I started. no change then the torch.
I could see the spring move but tension against the fan was not changing as I would have expected nor did the clutches ever totally lock the unit up. when the fan and clutch was removed the clutch houseing was covered on the radiator side with an oily film and of course dirt. so the seal must be bad letting out the internal oil and also the stem that the spring turns feels loose and maybe not connected any longer
so $45 for a new clutch is cheep compaired to the cost of redoing a big block

thank again:thumbsup: