Cardboard over the radiator. Engine barely to temp

[INSIDIOUS '86]

So 80% of my radiator is covered by apiece of cardboard. It's a 400 block and runs a high compression ratio and healthy cam the thermostat is in working order and is a balanced 160* I have a flex fan that's 50% under driven
I've never had overheating issues or issues warming up before winter. Before this winter I had the cooling system flushed and it came out pretty clean. The heater core works fine and no clogs and routed right but the engine hardly got past 120*130* water temp. And yes the gauge works and is new sunpro.

Anybody here have this issue or prob? The cardboard fixed it and it stays at 160 and warms up much quicker.
Posted via Mobile Device

[meter swinger]

I feel you. This winter has been really mild. Haven't been in the teens much. My 88 ccdrw is my daily right now, and it's tough to get that 454 warm. Gets any colder and ill break out the cardboard, or maybe ill just move back to florida.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Wrecked1982]

you should try a 195 winter thermostat

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Well if the thermostat is closed it should still get to 160 right? This winter fuel sucks some major a$$ since it still diesels on at shutoff.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Wrecked1982]

back it the days they changed thermostat twice a year 160 for summer 195 for winter and when temperature went really cold they put some kind of black blanket to cover the grill witch you could snap of just one corner. on cold days a 160 with that big grill and direct fan it wont get hot enough

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Yah I guess. Big grill and radiator with a fan that moves mass air makes for a cold engine lol
Posted via Mobile Device

[geezer#99]

80% covered!!
Which 20% is uncovered?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

The cool side is uncovered. The whole right side looking at the front is almost covered.
Posted via Mobile Device

[geezer#99]

The best way is to cut a hole in the dead centre of the fan. That way you don't get any cold spots and you don't create flexing in your fan blades which can promote blade or water pump bearing failure.

[KQQL IT]

Loose the flex fan. Fan clutch or electric fan.
Posted via Mobile Device

[86c20]

are you getting any heat out of the heater core? also check the level. in my c20 when it gewts low it reads 120 at best so it reads cold not hot

[ProStreet83C10]

u guys must be lucky...i store my truck for the winter up here in salty snowy iowa.....started truck first time since nov to re charge battery and re lube top end of motor etc. truck got hot and kept getting hotter.....i finally shut it down at 230* after it didnt re cool down after initial t stat opening. both elec fans were on and just kept getting hotter.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

It's full of fluid. I even ran it and filled it and bled the system. I do get heat out if the vents but when it's at 160 it's much warmer. I do plan on some electric fans though.
Posted via Mobile Device

[motornut]

I run a rad cover,usally have it on below zero
gets me lots of heat,quick
the clips/snaps come undone and it blows off
i use a strip of house copper wire instead,top left and right

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Sounds to me like your t-stat might be stuck in the open position.
If this has happened then the coolant won't stay in the engine long enough to get hot enough in the winter to get heat in the cab.
Just the opposite will happen in the summer time as the coolant won't stay in the radiator long enough to cool down and will over heat.

You can test your t-stat by suspending it in a pan of water on the stove and using a thermometer.
A 195* t-stat will BEGIN TO OPEN @ 190*-195* but won't be fully open until it reaches 200*-205*

[wraprail]

2 speed electric fan
late model Ford T Bird
$40 pic-a-part

[gchemist]

New thermostats are designed to fail open. Less blown gaskets and such. I would run a 195 in the winter. I have one and temps run 180-185 here in Texas! 454 radiator and electric fans. Even my FI 96 Jimmy with a 195 runs below regular temp on cold days. I've also have it rigged for hot weather running. Explorer fan/clutch and upgraded radiator.

Iron blocks and heads prefer cooler running temps. Just not too cold.

[donut]

Balanced 160* thermostat, does that mean there is some sort of bypass or hole in it?
If so, it may be bypassing to much.

[Redcap]

Thermostat is too low.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Thermostat is fine and is done so to prevent detonation when racing. This is how it was done "back in the day".

I did the boiling and it works just fine. I'm wondering if the heater hose may be flowing to much and allowing a bypass to effect the cooling? It's run from the outlet on the intake an then goes to the fitting on the radiator
Posted via Mobile Device

[motornut]

i think it would work better to avoid the rad and run the intake/waterpump for heat(i do)
i would use that intake/rad for a "summer" setup (i do)

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Ok I will try it. I was thinking of using a restrictor pipe fitting but swapping them isn't any harder
Posted via Mobile Device

[79Betty]

If the restrictor works let me no!! My truck gets to temp (180 thermo) but gots no heat in te cab... Not even enough to defrost the window!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by 79Betty

If the restrictor works let me no!! My truck gets to temp (180 thermo) but gots no heat in te cab... Not even enough to defrost the window!!
Posted via Mobile Device

I will try both and let you know. But if your not getting heat it may not be beacause of the core. Start a thread with your setup and we can help you a lot more as well
Posted via Mobile Device