I use my 69 Chevelle as my daily driver and I’m concerned that it’s running too hot. It runs at 205 degrees all the time. Winter and summer. It’s a 396 with a 4 speed, has the stock radiator and shroud with a six blade flex fan and a 180 degree thermostat. The temperature stays on 205 in traffic and on the highway. Can anyone tell me what steps I should take to bring the temperature down an acceptable level.

Thanks,
Bubba


------------------
ACES member #04788
Maryland Chevelle Club member #075
Maryland Automotive Modelers Association
Have you ever noticed that those instruments designed to detect intelligent life in the universe are all pointed AWAY from Earth???
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Bubbas396.jpg

If it's the original stock radiator could need to be replaced. Get rid of flex fan and go back to clutch fan. Fan shroud needs to be there as well. Possibly a tired water pump or radiator hoses. Just a few ideas. I'm sure others will chime in. Pete

------------------
Member# 1097
67 std camaro conv 327/210, 1978 annv vette, 1985 Z28 Camaro, 1970 Chevelle, challenged deer now in rehab, 00 grand prix,
www.chevelles.com/showroom/no1dc1.jpg

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by no1dc:
If it's the original stock radiator could need to be replaced. Get rid of flex fan and go back to clutch fan. Fan shroud needs to be there as well. Possibly a tired water pump or radiator hoses. Just a few ideas. I'm sure others will chime in. Pete

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Ditto to all that but have you ensured the gauge is reading correctly. Absolutely no variation in temps seems a little odd to me. I'd check those as well. Have you flushed your cooling system, ensured your t-stat is opening as per temp?

I will second and third the clutch fan suggestion. I dont run one now but im picking one up asap. Running a flex and I can tell shes running hot. I say "i can tell" because my temp gauge is out of commission so I do the "How long until I severely burn my hand on the intake" test. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif


------------------
'70 SS 396
4spd, 4.10's and a smile
TC# 1341
ACES# 05388
Beaux
The SS (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/btmyss.JPG)
The Rat (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/btmill.JPG)- Plans for a 496 in the works.

Life is a gateway drug that leads to Chevelle addiction.

Man is it hot in Maryland or what? Still 86 outside and the sun is setting. Mix that with todays 95 plus and 110% humidity and you have a typical day around here.


------------------
www.muncie4speed.com (http://www.muncie4speed.com)
Gold 67
1967 Malibu, 2nd owner.
1971 Malibu, been in the family since new.
There is nothing like rowing through the gears at 7500. Stick cars are so much fun they should be a controlled substance!

Actually 205 is not that bad according to GM. The idiot lights of old only kicked in a 237 if they worked correctly. But it is curious that it runs 205 all the time. Find a radiator shop or a shop with a Raytek gun and have them shoot the radiator before spending bucks on anything.

This may be overkill for you`re area, but it works here in Arizona ( 112 degrees today ), Flex-a-lite FLX-1818 fan, 2 inch spacer, 180 degree thermostat,Stant 16 pound radiator cap, 3 bottles of Redline water wetter,50-50 mix anti-freeze to distilled water,and a after market radiator puke tank.I can run the car in stop and go traffic with a/c on with no problems.good luck ,Manuel

"The idiot lights of old only kicked in at 237 if they worked correctly."

Hmmmm..I always wondered about that. Now I know what GM considered HOT.

------------------
My Elky (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/djw69elky09.jpg)
Arkansas Classic Chevelle Club (http://www.ac3online.net/index.html)
My Webpage (http://www.ac3online.net/djw/)

Danny Wooldridge
Member #1129
Aces #5044

If it's the same on the highway as in traffic, changing the fan won't change anything. It sounds like the fan is doing it's job. I run an electric fan and I often turn it off when I'm on the highway.

Try another 180 stat. I've had Robertshaw units that ran hotter than rated, so you know the cheaper ones can do likewise. I run the cheap Stant thermostats now because I've had better luck with them. I carry a spare in case it fails closed.

Make sure the lower hose isn't collapsing and that there aren't any other flow restrictions. When I was younger I installed the wrong hose on a car and had to fold it a bit to make it fit. It didn't look like much of a kink, but it restricted flow enough to make the car run hot.

Are the coils clean and straight on your radiator? If it's an air conditioned car, check the condensor coils too. They can block airflow to the radiator if they're not clean and straight.

If it's none of these things, then I'd change the radiator. Aluminum is the ticket these days.

Even though the flex fan is doing it's job, you'll be better off with a clutch. It's safer and it only runs when it's needed.

205 isn't bad anyway, but I prefer 195 or lower.

------------------
My Web Page (http://www.landry-family.com) (updated 06-21-02)

"Long Live Freedom!"

Chad Landry
TC Member #643
ACES Member #4556
'68 El Camino, 357, L31 Vortec heads, 700R4,
8.2 10-bolt, 3.55 gears, Auburn Pro Posi.

Thanks for all the replys. I think I'm going to change the thermostat first because it's the cheapest thing to change. If that doesn't help I think I'll bite the bullet and purchase an aluminum radiator. I'd rather be safe and have the temperature below 200 than be sorry later.

Bubba

------------------
ACES member #04788
Maryland Chevelle Club member #075
Maryland Automotive Modelers Association
Have you ever noticed that those instruments designed to detect intelligent life in the universe are all pointed AWAY from Earth???
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Bubbas396.jpg