Cooling system setup questions for you

[BillyDeluxe]

Hi folks,
I would like to ask some questions about cooling system setup as mine isn't original and maybe therefore not correctly working from time to time.

I have in my 65 C10 Short stepside the following configuration:
- 1980 C10 350 engine (already bored)
- Edelbrock 2601 manifold / 600 carb
- original 1965 C10 Radiator
- stock waterpump
- AC Delco 160F Thermostat
- 16lbs Radiator cap
- additional aftermarket electrical Fan
- 50:50 coolant/water mixture

Problem:
As long as you drive on the highway temperature of engine is down at 160F and everything is fine. As soon as you get stuck and idling in the city searching for a parking space or so temperature is getting higher and the cooling system is not able to bring it down again. Therefore I built in the electrical fan. But nevertheless this didn't solved my problem anyway espacially when it's hot out there. As soon as you get stuck in the traffic after driving a while the engine heats up and starts boiling. Funny thing it that I read an article on a Yahoo! chat which decribes exactly the same problem with the same engine (1980 bored 350). These guys wrote something about thin cylinder walls and much heat generation in the engine.


Yesterday it happened that the Thermostat didn't opened at all. Engine boiled up to 210F before it opened (maybe the thermostat is gone now - I'll change it anyway).

Questions:
- does the Thermostat open because of pressure or temperature?
- do you think the setup is okay or do I need to change something?
- is it possible if the Radiator Cap is the wrong one that it prevents the system of working correctly?
- is the 160F thermostat okay from your point of view? (when I bought the truck from Arkansas it has a 195F thermostat which I changed because it doesn't fit to the German weather where I life)
- Anyone with similar problems? Your thoughts?
- ...

I would really appreciate to get your help on this because I try to fix this problem sinc 3 years now and I have no clou what could be wrong. Maybe someone of you can help.

Thanks guys, Andreas (Nuremberg, Germany)

[blackedoutharley]

I would start by asking what is the core size of the radiator; both physical dimensions and amount of rows for passing of coolant and is the radiator serviceable? I.E. does it have good flow or is it in need of rebuilding?

Does it have a pump driven fan and if so, are you also using a fan shroud and how far from the radiator is the fan?

When you say the 350 has been bored do you know how much?

I have found that the 180* thermostat seems to work best on older vehicles with small block engines.

A few pictures of the engine compartment could help us help you better. Specifically a picture inside the radiator showing the core inside, the fan assembly or assemblies, and an overall picture of the engine compartment and front of truck.

The thermostat works on tempature only.
The radiator cap can cause problems and if available should be changed periodically.

[Rich 5150 69]

As they said change the thermostat to a 180 or 192, it will give the water more radiator time thereby cooling more effiecently and pics would be a big help.

[BillyDeluxe]

Hi blackedoutharley,

I'll will look to provide pictures by tomorrow.
It also has a pump driven fan which ist about 5 inches away from the Radiator and has a shroud as well.

The electric fan sits in front of the radiator pushing the air through the pump driven one sits behind pulls from the other side.

The 350 is bored using 030 pistons and bigger intake valves (not sure about the camshaft)

Which radiator cap would you use for this setup? Is 16lbs a reasonable choice?

Andreas

[Rich 5150 69]

16 lb cap is good,

[BillyDeluxe]

The radiator is original so should be 3core version but as I said I try to provide pictures soon. I believe the radiator is maybe too small for the relatively new engine which is bored and produces even more heat than a unbored one. ... I don't know guys. I am struggling since I own the truck. Problem is always upcoming in the summer when it's getting hot outside. I got stuck with my ideas what to do.

[Rich 5150 69]

Pics would be best, did you put a v8 in it or did it have one when you purchased truck..? Your not far off base here with the temp controlled, I beleive its just a thermostat change,

[61_FL_Apache]

I would also say 180 T-stat to try.

[Rich 5150 69]

It looks as if your average summer high temp in Germany is about 72 dgrees, man I wish it was in Nor Cal, you definately need too raise the thermostat to minumum 180, but if it were me I would move it to 195, but its your Truck Billy...

[BillyDeluxe]

It has a 195F T-stat when I bought it. problem was that the engine was always running at about 190F-200F which from my point of view is a bit too high but I don't know. I changed the cylinder head gasket just last year and don't want to burn it because of running the engine to hot.

[Rich 5150 69]

Whats your average driving temp, on the road...with a 180 you should`nt have a problem unless you have other issues like timming, that will also make it run hot. Is the radiator clean inside, ( plugged cores) collasped lower rad hose ( a hose without a spring in the inside sometimes will collaspe ), are you running a overflow tank..? and last but not least, bad thermostat, I`ve had two new ones over the years that were bad.

[Clyde65]

I would go with a 180 thermo, make sure it is the fail safe type. Then I would run it, ac on and all, see what it goes to while just sitting, what kind of fan do you have on the front? is it primarily running for the ac? do you have the stock mechanical fan also? or is it a flex fan?

BTW, Hello from the Republic of Texas!

[BillyDeluxe]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I would go with a 180 thermo, make sure it is the fail safe type. Then I would run it, ac on and all, see what it goes to while just sitting, what kind of fan do you have on the front? is it primarily running for the ac? do you have the stock mechanical fan also? or is it a flex fan?

BTW, Hello from the Republic of Texas!

Howdy!
The electric fan sits in front of the radiator pushing the air through the pump driven one sits behind pulls from the other side. The fan in front of the Radiator is a OPEL air condition fan from the junkyard but it runs great. Only thing is the small diameter but I ordered a 16" aftermarket electric fan to replace it.
You see I am poking in the fog to get my problem solved

[61_FL_Apache]

What is the altitude where you are?

Dont temps run higher at higher altitudes?

[Rich 5150 69]

True to a point, but his average ( Average high temp) is only 72 during the summer.

[BillyDeluxe]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

What is the altitude where you are?

Dont temps run higher at higher altitudes?

You are right I believe because of less oxygen the higher you are but we are not high at all in Nuremberg we are on 350m above sea level.

[Rich 5150 69]

You`re pusher fan is actually doing you a injustice, you are blocking inflow air, I would suggest using a GM 6 blade fan either thermostatic or fixed, is all your high pressure area sealed up around the radiator so the air is directed thru the radiator...Billy

[Rich 5150 69]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AAF-ALL30103/

These will move more air than an electric could ever achieve...

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by Rich 5150 69

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AAF-ALL30103/

These will move more air than an electric could ever achieve...

I agree this style of heavy steel fixed pitch fan will move a lot of air, but the trade off is the incredible noise they generate. I had one like it for a while and the howling at cruising speed absolutely drove me nuts.

[blackedoutharley]

The original radiator in my factory v8 '65 was a 2 row; I had a local shop convert it to a 3 row so it is entirely possible to be in need of a bigger radiator. I do agree that the electric fan is a hindrance to airflow getting through the radiator.

Rich... "high of 72 in summer", wouldn't that be nice here?

[BillyDeluxe]

Guys, pictures as promised (sorry is already night here):

[Clyde65]

there is one issue, the shroud isnt big enough. put a stock shroud on it and it will cool that because it will pull air from the entire radiator.

http://www.classicparts.com/1963-66-...ctinfo/78-921/

[61_FL_Apache]

I agree with Clyde on the shroud size.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rich 5150 69]

Billy here is a site for shrouds,
http://supermuscleparts.reachlocal.n...shrouds_2.aspx but you`ll still need to change your fan as well, those flex fans just don`t do the job, need to place the fan so it sits just into the opening of the shroud for maximun air movement, plus change out your thermostat, all your problems will go away....

[Rich 5150 69]

It should look like this bad pic...all I had. click on pic to enlarge.
http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=IMG_0645.jpg