You can see the post I've made about the 1967 Chevelle I'm considering here (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133584).

It has a 396 in it with headers and an electric fan. Not really sure at this point on the quality of the fan setup and radiator, but when I test drove it yesterday, the temp guage (aftermarket gauges, not sure kind) went over to 225 degrees F within the first 2 blocks of driving it. The gauge only went to 225, so it was about pegged.

Is this normal for a big block 396? The temp outside was 95 when I drove it and it was about 6p in the evening. I'm concerned about the heat issue before I buy it.

Thanks for any info

That's not normal. The temp really shouldn't ever get that high. Something seems fishy that it would get that hot after only 2 blocks. It might be a bad gauge or bad ground to the gauge. If it's actually getting that hot, something is wrong.

Something else I want to mention. I just went through a big ordeal because I thought my trans was overheating. It turned out to be a bad ground to the temp gauge. If the gauge itself has a bad ground, it will try to seek a ground through the sender, which causes false high temp readings.

Is your temp gauge electric or a direct reading (probe & cable) unit? Make sure your not using more than a 50/50 mix of antifreeze. Replace your thermostat with a 140 or 160 deg. Check and make sure your carberator fuel mixture is not running to lean. Finally is your electric fan operating and is it big enough (CFM's) or set low enough to come on? You might want to add a product called "Water Wetter" also.

If mine ever went over 210 I'd be worried, 180-190 is the optimal operating temperature, I would be concerned!

Drove my 68 396 home from Texas to MD, temp was between 205-220 the wholeway, usually stayed right at 215. No problems during the trip, except when I goofed trying to advance the timing a bit and actually retarded it-that caused the temp to soar in stop & go traffic. I pulled over & shut down at 230. Let it sit for 1/2 hour and was fine once I got moving.

Is your temp gauge electric or a direct reading (probe & cable) unit? Make sure your not using more than a 50/50 mix of antifreeze. Replace your thermostat with a 140 or 160 deg. Check and make sure your carberator fuel mixture is not running to lean. Finally is your electric fan operating and is it big enough (CFM's) or set low enough to come on? You might want to add a product called "Water Wetter" also.

Electric. I just ordered a set of mechanical 2 5/8" AutoMeters for it.

Also, the radiator is the original small block one. Don't know the coolant mix yet or the type of thermostat. I plan on ordering an aluminum radiator from www.summitracing.com, so when I do, I'll make sure the coolant is at 50/50 and the correct thermostat is in.

Thanks for the replies.