I have a freshly rebuilt smallblock in my car that i assembled myself making sure all clearances were satisfactory. I have an Edelbrock 600cfm carb, Weind stealth intake, an RV cam, Hooker headers (no muffs right now), beefed up HEI, and fresh but stock accessories. I primed the engine, fired it up, and idled it at 2500 rpm for about 15 min. The engine has not run more than a couple of hours total, and has only about two blocks of run time with load on it. For some reason, the temp light went on and my guauge read 230 degrees when taking it for a spin around the block. Initial timing is set at 14 degrees advanced, idle mixture is set, idle speed is set, I've checked my fluids, checked that my fan was not bassackwards, etc. What the hell could this be?!! Thanks!!!!

Remind me not to reply to posts B4 coffee. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Riffers70 (edited 08-26-99).]

New engines will always run hotter during their initial brake-in period because a new engine is very tight and generates alot of heat. Where is your total timing at? Maybe it is retarded a little too much. After first checking the obvious (check complete cooling system), try advancing the timing some (with a timing light) and go up to around 38 degrees total advance. Retarded timing always generates much more heat than when an engine is advanced. Good luck!

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'70 Malibu - 383 'Fog Fed' Stroker! Houston, Texas Gold Member #39
Chevellz Alwayz!

Don't overlook the fan shroud and a good fan. Also a 50/50 or 70/30 mix of antifreeze/H2o.

Mark

Thanks guys, I've checked everything you mentioned and everything seems to be in order, so I installed a performance fan that brought the temp down a little, now I'm waiting on a longer spacer to move the fan closer to the radiator, and a high flow thermostat that opens within 2 degrees of what it's rated at. If this doesn't cool me down, I'm lost. By the way, does anyone know about at what temp the engine would get damaged? Thanks again! John, 69MalibuChevelle

John - I could not get my car to cool down until I went to a 160 degree thermostat (from a 195). I drove 200 miles yesterday here in Kansas where the temp was 100+ and I never broke 200. Before, I was always on 220 and the weather wasn't this hot. I personally would shut mine down as soon as it crossed 230, but I am a protective freak when it comes to my Chevelle.

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Got Chevelles?
Jeff Carpenter
65 Malibu Convertible
See it before- www.littlecars.com/car1.jpg (http://www.littlecars.com/car1.jpg)
Team Chevelle Gold #61

In 'The Round-Up Magazine' Vol 7 #477, there is mention of overheating when chrome pulleys are used because of fan belt slippage. You got chrome pulleys?

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members.tripod.com/dfdolerjr

I may have missed it in reading the posts... but was wondering how many cores are in the radiator, 3 or 4 and how old is it? You may want to check out your radiator core. I'm not saying u overuse silicone after the over-haul but you should take a look at a radiator core after an engine overhaul. There were lot's of silicone chunks in mine plus other deposits. I was pretty shocked when I had a look at it. Try the simple, less expensive means first, if that fails... I'd tackel (can you believe it, football season is here) into the radiator.

Good Luck http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Jim Morrison
71 SS 454
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Thanks for the feedback guys, so far I got my temp down to 215 at idle, my radiator is a 3 core and it's pretty clean. My thermostat is rated at 180. I'm gonna try and get my temp a little lower, I'll keep you guys posted.

Hey Tired,
Try REDUCING the amount of antifreeze to around 10-15% (2-3 quarts) Add a bottle of Redline water wetter and the rest distilled water. Water carries more heat than antifreeze so you should see a difference. Try a 160 stat also. And check your total timing; just 2 degrees of timing can effect engine temps by 5 degrees! Once your new engine loosens up it will start runnning cooler so put some miles on it. By the way, if you live where winters have a big W, that won't be enough antifreeze for serious winter driving. Stay cool, mgg

You didn't mentioned (or I missed it) if your shroud was installed. It has to be installed. Also you said the radiator was fairly clean. Leave the cap off and let it warm up till the thermostat opens. Then look to see how well the coolant is flowing. Just don't let it overflow and spew on you. Hot antifreze will scald you. Lots of folks will spend big bucks on the engines and then reuse the old radiator to cut corners. It may be more clogged than you realize.

Thanks Manny, and Randy, yes I do have my shroud installed, and I noticed you recommending the water wetter to lots of people Manny, I just might try it.

I'd pull the thermostat out, run it and see what temp the engine got to. If it stays on the cool side then start looking at changing the thermostat to the 160 like JeffC and Manny suggest.
If she stays on the hot side start looking into blockage of flow. How was your block cleaned? Sometimes Jet-wash doesn't get em as clean inside as a hot tank.

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Lynn Robinson
Pacheco, Calif.
64 Malibu SS
"Just Hit the Ball and Touch em All"
Team Chevelle Member #246