What is a "normal" engine temp? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mclairmo · 08-07-2009, 03:53 PM

My 396 was running fine the other day in about 80 degree outside temps. Gauge was reading about 190 as I cruised the streets. Gauge sender is in the head and gauge is a fairly new AutoGage by Autometer. Then, I get stuck in light stop and go traffic and the guage starts to climb to 210. Never goes above that, but it makes me nervous. I park it and it pukes a little bit of coolant out. I have a 20 pound rad cap with an open system, no catch/recovery can. I have a 4 row brass/copper radiator and Flex-A-Lite Black Magic fan with custom sheet metal shroud. New Procomp aluminim water pump. 180 degree T-Stat. Correct ratio pulleys. Radiator is sealed to the core support with foam. Running about 50/50 distilled water and coolant and also a bottle of Water Wetter. Bottom hose seems to be stiff, does no collapse easily, I believe there is a spring in it. Is this temp ok? At what temp should I get concerned?

67ChevyRedneck · 08-07-2009, 04:13 PM

How big is the fan and how many CFM's does it pull? Is the fan a new addition to the truck? Does it have A/C? Is there a trans cooler? I don't like anything over 195-ish on the old trucks, but that's just me. My "new" ones run at about 205 stock. Could be your timing too... bad t-stat... lots of crap. I hate it when stuff runs hot... so many things it could be

What the hell is water wetter?

Longhorn Man · 08-07-2009, 04:23 PM

running hot or warm at low speeds is a sure sign of poor air flow.

210 is gettin warm, but if it doesn't get much higher, then don't worry about it.

69GMCLonghorn · 08-07-2009, 04:31 PM

Water wetter, if I recall, is a product that add some lubricating abilities to the water, as well as increasing the boiling point... I think???

And BTW, I agree with LHM. I don't like excessive heat in an engine. If you have a 180° T-stat, it really shouldn't get much warmer than that, unless there is an "issue" somewhere. Will 210° hurt it? Probably not in the short run, but over time, probably more than running it at 180°. Heat does all kinds of funky things... Take it to a radiator shop and have them pressure test it to see if you have any leaks.

mclairmo · 08-07-2009, 05:08 PM

Fan is 15 inch 8 blade and pulls 2800 cfm of air. Fan is not new but has always been there. Has always run hot, too. Could it be that this fan is just not strong enough? No a/c and I do run a small trans cooler mounted to the radiator core. T-stat is new. Timing is fine as far as I know. Radiator is not leaking, it is fairly new, too. Water wetter breaks the surface tension of the water and allows the water to touch the metal of the cooling jackets better, thereby transferring heat better. Is it possible that the fan is pulling in hot air from under the engine and pulling it through the radiator?

big_al_71 · 08-07-2009, 05:17 PM

My motor fully built 406 with the a/c on in miami traffic at 93 degress does not go higher than 160 ever....

aluminum 4 core radiator and dual flexalite electric fans.....

bikertim · 08-07-2009, 05:23 PM

Get rid of that flex fan and go with a stock style fan with fan clutch. I tried to run an electric fan (single) with my 454 a couple of years ago in my 1970and it ran hot too. With big stock fan and fan clutch with shroud truck never runs above 180 - 190 in AZ heat with the AC on!

Tim

mclairmo · 08-07-2009, 05:38 PM

Yeah, it appears that at idle, I don't have enough airflow. I don't want to run a mechanical fan because of my pulley set up. Maybe I need a stronger electric fan? Maybe an aluminum radiator would be better?

cparman · 08-07-2009, 07:07 PM

I tried a single 16" SPAL on my last car, and it just would not cut it. Went to a dual 11" SPAL, and it would at least keep up with 100% humidity, and 95+ heat.
last car was: zz502,A/C, loaded 67 Chevelle

08-07-2009, 03:53 PM	#1
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	What is a "normal" engine temp? My 396 was running fine the other day in about 80 degree outside temps. Gauge was reading about 190 as I cruised the streets. Gauge sender is in the head and gauge is a fairly new AutoGage by Autometer. Then, I get stuck in light stop and go traffic and the guage starts to climb to 210. Never goes above that, but it makes me nervous. I park it and it pukes a little bit of coolant out. I have a 20 pound rad cap with an open system, no catch/recovery can. I have a 4 row brass/copper radiator and Flex-A-Lite Black Magic fan with custom sheet metal shroud. New Procomp aluminim water pump. 180 degree T-Stat. Correct ratio pulleys. Radiator is sealed to the core support with foam. Running about 50/50 distilled water and coolant and also a bottle of Water Wetter. Bottom hose seems to be stiff, does no collapse easily, I believe there is a spring in it. Is this temp ok? At what temp should I get concerned?

08-07-2009, 04:13 PM	#2
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: What is a "normal" engine temp? How big is the fan and how many CFM's does it pull? Is the fan a new addition to the truck? Does it have A/C? Is there a trans cooler? I don't like anything over 195-ish on the old trucks, but that's just me. My "new" ones run at about 205 stock. Could be your timing too... bad t-stat... lots of crap. I hate it when stuff runs hot... so many things it could be What the hell is water wetter? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 08-07-2009 at 04:16 PM.

08-07-2009, 04:23 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: What is a "normal" engine temp? running hot or warm at low speeds is a sure sign of poor air flow. 210 is gettin warm, but if it doesn't get much higher, then don't worry about it.

08-07-2009, 04:31 PM	#4
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: What is a "normal" engine temp? Water wetter, if I recall, is a product that add some lubricating abilities to the water, as well as increasing the boiling point... I think??? And BTW, I agree with LHM. I don't like excessive heat in an engine. If you have a 180° T-stat, it really shouldn't get much warmer than that, unless there is an "issue" somewhere. Will 210° hurt it? Probably not in the short run, but over time, probably more than running it at 180°. Heat does all kinds of funky things... Take it to a radiator shop and have them pressure test it to see if you have any leaks. Last edited by 69GMCLonghorn; 08-07-2009 at 04:46 PM.

08-07-2009, 05:08 PM	#5
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: What is a "normal" engine temp? Fan is 15 inch 8 blade and pulls 2800 cfm of air. Fan is not new but has always been there. Has always run hot, too. Could it be that this fan is just not strong enough? No a/c and I do run a small trans cooler mounted to the radiator core. T-stat is new. Timing is fine as far as I know. Radiator is not leaking, it is fairly new, too. Water wetter breaks the surface tension of the water and allows the water to touch the metal of the cooling jackets better, thereby transferring heat better. Is it possible that the fan is pulling in hot air from under the engine and pulling it through the radiator?

08-07-2009, 05:17 PM	#6
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: What is a "normal" engine temp? My motor fully built 406 with the a/c on in miami traffic at 93 degress does not go higher than 160 ever.... aluminum 4 core radiator and dual flexalite electric fans..... Attached Images __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

08-07-2009, 05:23 PM	#7
bikertim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: gilbert arizona Posts: 48	Re: What is a "normal" engine temp? Get rid of that flex fan and go with a stock style fan with fan clutch. I tried to run an electric fan (single) with my 454 a couple of years ago in my 1970and it ran hot too. With big stock fan and fan clutch with shroud truck never runs above 180 - 190 in AZ heat with the AC on! Tim Last edited by bikertim; 08-07-2009 at 05:25 PM. Reason: mispelling

08-07-2009, 05:38 PM	#8
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: What is a "normal" engine temp? Yeah, it appears that at idle, I don't have enough airflow. I don't want to run a mechanical fan because of my pulley set up. Maybe I need a stronger electric fan? Maybe an aluminum radiator would be better?

08-07-2009, 07:07 PM	#9
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: What is a "normal" engine temp? I tried a single 16" SPAL on my last car, and it just would not cut it. Went to a dual 11" SPAL, and it would at least keep up with 100% humidity, and 95+ heat. last car was: zz502,A/C, loaded 67 Chevelle Attached Images



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