Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LandonL · 10-31-2010, 09:01 PM

I've been running just water in the cooling system just for the motor break-in just to make sure I had no leaks so I wouldn't lose my expensive (to me lol) antifreeze. I was, and AM going to put the antifreeze in it of course but just had this question.

I'm not sure if it's because it's a freshly rebuilt motor, or because I'm running straight up water but the block and parts like intake/valve cover feel hotter than they did before the rebuild.

I'm using a good 180 degree thermostat, the temperature gauge never reads anymore than it did before the rebuild but I'm just running water at the present time, would this cause the block/parts mentioned to feel a tad hotter than normal?

Once again, I'm putting the antifreeze in it, just wanted to know if it was something else that may be causing the abnormal block heat. Other than me being crazy of course and just thinking it's hotter.

Thanks as always!

82swampthing · 10-31-2010, 09:10 PM

a fresh motor is going to be warmer any way because of the friction of the new motor breaking in,but yeah i would get antifreeze in there it helps with cooling and it also lubricates the water pump.

LandonL · 10-31-2010, 09:49 PM

How long does it usually take for everything to break in, as this is my first ever rebuild I have nothing to compare too.

tcb-1 · 10-31-2010, 09:52 PM

depending on tolerances, a motor can take anywhere from 500 to 1000 to "break-in". be careful with it, vary the rpms, no full throttle romps, change oil @ 500, no long periods of time @ idle.

piece of cake.

huero · 10-31-2010, 09:54 PM

water cools better than antifreeze.

**Stocker** · 11-01-2010, 12:09 AM

50% antifreeze mix boils at a higher temp than water, but I didn't think it cools any better. I agree that your somewhat higher temps are simply from having a new engine.

huero · 11-01-2010, 02:14 AM

water transfers heat better that antifreeze.

gearys 5600 · 11-01-2010, 02:43 AM

Break in ?? Whats that ? lol

cdowns · 11-01-2010, 05:53 AM

it rusts better with water

Shaky · 11-01-2010, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huero

water cools better than antifreeze.

This. Water has a higher specific heat than mix.

tqlspec · 11-01-2010, 10:52 AM

Antifreeze has anti-corrosion agents in it. You need it.

Alex Hayley · 11-01-2010, 11:23 AM

Is you cooling water slightly rust-coloured? Mine is because I used too little coolant. Now I have rust-coloured antifreeze mix. Use an antifreeze mix even if it is not too strong of a mix. Any way to get rid of a the rust colour? It is difficult to drain ALL of the coolant.

71meangreenc10 · 11-01-2010, 02:28 PM

Water also freezes....Water also changes states when it boils...

Alex,
If its that bad, you may have to do some serious flushing along with some parts replacement to get all the rust out.

Smitty

LandonL · 11-01-2010, 03:43 PM

Guys I planned on running the 50/50 mix from day one, I was just doing water for the time being so I didn't waste antifreeze if I had any leaks. Thanks for everyones responses.

ERASER5 · 11-01-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandonL

Guys I planned on running the 50/50 mix from day one, I was just doing water for the time being so I didn't waste antifreeze if I had any leaks. Thanks for everyones responses.

I have done the same thing. Just to check everything out, then replace with 50/50. Water will cool a bit better, but not WORK better. JUST DON'T FORGET!

Longhorn Man · 11-01-2010, 10:27 PM

In theory, water will cool better. However, in my observations, an engine with coolant will run a tick or two cooler.
If you are just going by "the valve covers seem hotter" then you can't tell. No one has a hand calibrated that closely.

a.c.1 · 11-01-2010, 10:50 PM

Most antifreeze is also called antiboil. Its designed to raise the boiling point of water along with the pressure in the system created by agood radiator cap. I've also heard of overbored cylinders causing this... not sure though.

huero · 11-01-2010, 11:34 PM

From what I understand nothing cools better than water. Water will not boil at 212 degrees being it is under pressure. Straight water dissipates heat best, better than antifreeze mix. But antifreeze has the anti corrosion prohibitors your system needs, as well as, you guessed it anti freeze properties (as you already knew).
Your engine is running hotter because it is new (as mentioned before). Water for break in should not be an issue.
I would not run it with tap water but, I would use distilled water and I would not go more than a couple of days before I would drain that an add the antifreeze.
When you say break in I would think you mean running it for 20-30 minutes to break in the cam.
Being in sunny so cal I like 70% distilled water and 30% antifreeze.
Good luck, huero.

10-31-2010, 09:01 PM	#1
LandonL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 440	Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? I've been running just water in the cooling system just for the motor break-in just to make sure I had no leaks so I wouldn't lose my expensive (to me lol) antifreeze. I was, and AM going to put the antifreeze in it of course but just had this question. I'm not sure if it's because it's a freshly rebuilt motor, or because I'm running straight up water but the block and parts like intake/valve cover feel hotter than they did before the rebuild. I'm using a good 180 degree thermostat, the temperature gauge never reads anymore than it did before the rebuild but I'm just running water at the present time, would this cause the block/parts mentioned to feel a tad hotter than normal? Once again, I'm putting the antifreeze in it, just wanted to know if it was something else that may be causing the abnormal block heat. Other than me being crazy of course and just thinking it's hotter. Thanks as always! __________________ ---\| 1967 GMC Stepside \|-- 250 L6 .030 over ---\| 1985 Porsche 944/1 \|--- Build Thread: '67 GMC http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378640 Last edited by LandonL; 10-31-2010 at 09:03 PM.

10-31-2010, 09:10 PM	#2
82swampthing Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: taxachusetts Posts: 138	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? a fresh motor is going to be warmer any way because of the friction of the new motor breaking in,but yeah i would get antifreeze in there it helps with cooling and it also lubricates the water pump. __________________ R.I.P gm 1908-1986 1982 chevy k20,350,sm465,np205,10bolt and 14bolt s.f

10-31-2010, 09:49 PM	#3
LandonL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 440	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? How long does it usually take for everything to break in, as this is my first ever rebuild I have nothing to compare too. __________________ ---\| 1967 GMC Stepside \|-- 250 L6 .030 over ---\| 1985 Porsche 944/1 \|--- Build Thread: '67 GMC http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378640

10-31-2010, 09:52 PM	#4
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? depending on tolerances, a motor can take anywhere from 500 to 1000 to "break-in". be careful with it, vary the rpms, no full throttle romps, change oil @ 500, no long periods of time @ idle. piece of cake. __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson Last edited by tcb-1; 10-31-2010 at 09:53 PM.

10-31-2010, 09:54 PM	#5
huero 1969 Short, Fleet, and Beat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Beach, Ca. Posts: 867	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? water cools better than antifreeze.

11-01-2010, 12:09 AM	#6
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,696	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? 50% antifreeze mix boils at a higher temp than water, but I didn't think it cools any better. I agree that your somewhat higher temps are simply from having a new engine. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

11-01-2010, 02:14 AM	#7
huero 1969 Short, Fleet, and Beat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Beach, Ca. Posts: 867	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? water transfers heat better that antifreeze.

11-01-2010, 02:43 AM	#8
gearys 5600 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: tulsa,ok Posts: 1,085	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? Break in ?? Whats that ? lol __________________ MY BUILD THREAD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=423629 1969 custom/10 swb--SOLD 1968 swb 50th anniv.--SOLD 1967 camaro ss/rs..LS-6-speed, 16-year long project 1956 chevy nomad 1955 chevy 210 2-dr sedan 1978 el-camino ss 1-owner

11-01-2010, 05:53 AM	#9
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? it rusts better with water __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-01-2010, 10:52 AM	#11
tqlspec Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, TN Posts: 99	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? Antifreeze has anti-corrosion agents in it. You need it. __________________ Retired Navy 1972 C10 Cheyenne fleetside 350 sbc, 700r4, 3.42 rear

11-01-2010, 11:23 AM	#12
Alex Hayley Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: NC Posts: 987	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? Is you cooling water slightly rust-coloured? Mine is because I used too little coolant. Now I have rust-coloured antifreeze mix. Use an antifreeze mix even if it is not too strong of a mix. Any way to get rid of a the rust colour? It is difficult to drain ALL of the coolant.

11-01-2010, 02:28 PM	#13
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? Water also freezes....Water also changes states when it boils... Alex, If its that bad, you may have to do some serious flushing along with some parts replacement to get all the rust out. Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van"

11-01-2010, 03:43 PM	#14
LandonL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 440	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? Guys I planned on running the 50/50 mix from day one, I was just doing water for the time being so I didn't waste antifreeze if I had any leaks. Thanks for everyones responses. __________________ ---\| 1967 GMC Stepside \|-- 250 L6 .030 over ---\| 1985 Porsche 944/1 \|--- Build Thread: '67 GMC http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378640

11-01-2010, 10:27 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? In theory, water will cool better. However, in my observations, an engine with coolant will run a tick or two cooler. If you are just going by "the valve covers seem hotter" then you can't tell. No one has a hand calibrated that closely.

11-01-2010, 10:50 PM	#17
a.c.1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 40	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? Most antifreeze is also called antiboil. Its designed to raise the boiling point of water along with the pressure in the system created by agood radiator cap. I've also heard of overbored cylinders causing this... not sure though.



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11-01-2010, 11:34 PM	#18
huero 1969 Short, Fleet, and Beat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Beach, Ca. Posts: 867	Re: Would running straight water be causing a slightly higher temp? From what I understand nothing cools better than water. Water will not boil at 212 degrees being it is under pressure. Straight water dissipates heat best, better than antifreeze mix. But antifreeze has the anti corrosion prohibitors your system needs, as well as, you guessed it anti freeze properties (as you already knew). Your engine is running hotter because it is new (as mentioned before). Water for break in should not be an issue. I would not run it with tap water but, I would use distilled water and I would not go more than a couple of days before I would drain that an add the antifreeze. When you say break in I would think you mean running it for 20-30 minutes to break in the cam. Being in sunny so cal I like 70% distilled water and 30% antifreeze. Good luck, huero.

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