SBC engine running way too cool

[vjjack04]

Guys,
I have a Summit Racing radiator (rather small) in front of my SBC and a high volume water pump and no shroud.....the thing is running about 165 degrees most of the time.....oh and I have 20 inch electric fan.......what can I do to get the engine to get a little hotter and stay around 200 degrees? Thanks.

[jjzepplin]

Do you have a thermostat? They keep the water in the engine longer heating it up more..

[vjjack04]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Do you have a thermostat? They keep the water in the engine longer heating it up more..

Thanks, yep. It opens and the thing goes back cool.....

[Highsider]

Good reading using the search feature at the top:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=468487
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361473

[_Ogre]

fan and radiator have nothing to do with a motor running too cool
that is solely the thermostat's job
first i'd check the accuracy of your gauge using a infrared thermometer on the thermostat neck
you can also check the accuracy of the thermostat by hanging it in water by a thread stuck in the opening part of the thermostat
heat up the water and use a meat thermometer to check the temp when it drops off the thread

or just buy a new thermostat

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

fan and radiator have nothing to do with a motor running too cool
that is solely the thermostat's job
first i'd check the accuracy of your gauge using a infrared thermometer on the thermostat neck
you can also check the accuracy of the thermostat by hanging it in water by a thread stuck in the opening part of the thermostat
heat up the water and use a meat thermometer to check the temp when it drops off the thread

or just buy a new thermostat

Yeap!

[mknittle]

did you get it at napa? if so I think I see the problem!

[Highsider]

Originally Posted by mknittle

did you get it at napa? if so I think I see the problem!

Alright, I will bite. Tell me the what's-up on a NAPA thermostat.
NAPA is my best (only) choice out here in the boonies.

[vjjack04]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

fan and radiator have nothing to do with a motor running too cool
that is solely the thermostat's job
first i'd check the accuracy of your gauge using a infrared thermometer on the thermostat neck
you can also check the accuracy of the thermostat by hanging it in water by a thread stuck in the opening part of the thermostat
heat up the water and use a meat thermometer to check the temp when it drops off the thread

or just buy a new thermostat

Ogre, I am going to buy a new thermostat...then, I will let you know....

[_Ogre]

if both thermostats show low temps...
i'd say your gauge is wrong/bad

you do realize that tf gauges have no numbers for a reason
they give you a range and feel for temperature

[solidaxel]

I have had very good luck here in the desert with a Robert Shaw high flow 180* thermostat and a 190* fan switch in the head between # 6 & 8 cylinder, the fan will cycle on and off if it gets to 190+ and will turn off at the right temp 180*
Don's hot rod shop should have everything on the shelf, the next time you are in town!

[vjjack04]

interesting...I am not using the factory gauge.....I have an decent aftermarket gauge...I do think I need a new thermostat and a better electric fan sensor......

[_Ogre]

fan sensor has nothing to do will cool running
when you turn the ac on the fan comes on in all new cars to pull air over the condenser
problem is probably your thermostat

[mr48chev]

Boy howdy, wait until I tell the guys on the HAMB that I know someone who has a sbc in an old truck that runs too cold.
All joking aside I'd run a 180 thermostat if I was down there where getting enough heat out of your heater wasn't an issue when you are out driving the truck in 10 degree weather.

If the gauge is electric it may be reading wrong. My best friend could pull the radiator cap off his walker radiator and not get scalded when the temp gauge read 265 (it went to 300 but I don't know why) when the Walker rep put a temp gauge in the neck it read 170 while the gauge was reading 265.
If things check out and it's still running cooler than you want put a 195 thermostat in it which is standard for a lot of 70's and 80's Chevys and what I run in my 71 GMC with a 79 350. And I didn't work on my heater today and hope it doesn't turn cold this week.
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