Overheating - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72LNGHRN · 07-02-2002, 02:40 AM

I am still having an overheating problem. Ive got a new water pump,t stat,radiator engine,fan clutch Im now running a 160 t stat even on the way home from work tonite it was runnin 180 - 190 anybody have any ideas what could be wrong? Its really bad when its 105 in the day time and it was 90 outside on the way home.

bigvinnie · 07-02-2002, 03:28 AM

I'm assuming you're using a shroud and the fan blades are at the correct depth in the shroud opening...??? you can also improve cooling by sealing up openings on the edges of the shroud so more air is pulled thru the core, instead of the engine compartment... when's the last time you flushed your system?

Electric fans are also a good way to go...

68 Suburban · 07-02-2002, 03:57 AM

I dont think 180-190 is bad in 110 degree heat.

bobs409 · 07-02-2002, 06:05 AM

I agree. That's not over heating. I'd call that just about normal in fact.

RipMeyer · 07-02-2002, 07:01 AM

You are not overheating! with a 15lb rad cap max operating temp is 247deg. Below 200 is normal (195 is the recommended op erating temp). Above 200 is mildly hot and I would say at 220 it time to really keep an eye on it.

**COBALT** · 07-02-2002, 12:35 PM

I had the same worries when I replaced my hoses and thermostat on my daily driver. I was so used to the temp guage sitting at the first mark that when I put the new 180 degree thermostat in I was concerned when the needle rose to just left of center that it was overheating! I kept shutting the truck off.

It's normal. I finally figured out that my old thermostat had failed in the open position. That's why it always took FOREVER for my truck to warm up in the winter. Now it heats up, the thermostat opens at 180, and I have a warm truck almost immediately.

busterwivell · 07-02-2002, 01:36 PM

I'm in Tucson, too. Last night I ran 195 on the way home. I have a 180 thermostat in. In the winter, I run 190 in regular driving, but with 105 temps, the extra 5 degrees isn't bad IMO. Pulled a full utility trailer Sunday 15 miles to the landfill and never hit 200 degrees, even up hill. I doubt you have anything to worry about.

johnnyp · 07-02-2002, 03:08 PM

Even with a 160 degree thermostate, you don't want the engine running at that low a temp. The engine runs best when its coolant is about 200 degrees. At 200 degrees the combustion chamber is hot enough to completely vaporize the fuel, providing better combustion and reducing emissions and the oil is thinner, so the engine parts move more freely, wastes less power, and metal parts wear less.

Longhorn Man · 07-02-2002, 05:29 PM

Althoguh some go the other way of thinking...when you see a dyno sheet that shows 160 degree stat getting you almost 25 horses, sounds like a plan.
That's probably why the hyperchip peopple tell you to get on when you get a stage 3 chip for the puter controlled cars.
I run a 160 in the summer, and a 195 in the ugly season.

Sierra · 07-02-2002, 08:39 PM

Your engine should be just fine. 200 degrees or below won't hurt your engine, assuming all hoses and such are in good condition. Remember, your engine is a heat exchanger, and the hotter the cylinder, the more power transferred to the piston's power stroke. If the area surrounding the combustion chamber is considerably cooler than the exploding fuel/air mixture, excess energy (i.e., horsepower) is absorbed into the water jacket, rather than directed in a downward motion. The idea is to keep the intake charge as dense as possible, while maintaining the highest cylinder temperature your engine can live with.

nroden · 07-02-2002, 11:58 PM

Trust me.. thats fine. We have a tractor that runs at 210-220 a lot and its fine. Its just it isnt moving very fast so it doesnt really get any air cooled... just what the fan can do and water pump.

07-02-2002, 02:40 AM	#1
72LNGHRN Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Tucson AZ USA Posts: 241	Overheating I am still having an overheating problem. Ive got a new water pump,t stat,radiator engine,fan clutch Im now running a 160 t stat even on the way home from work tonite it was runnin 180 - 190 anybody have any ideas what could be wrong? Its really bad when its 105 in the day time and it was 90 outside on the way home. __________________ 72LONGHORN 350 CI TURBO 400 A/C P/S P/B HEAVY DUTY SPRINGS ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES. TUCSON,AZ. 2005 4X4 DODGE RAM 1500 "HEMI"LARAMIE 1961 OLDS DYNAMIC 88 394 4BBL UNDER CONST.

07-02-2002, 03:28 AM	#2
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	I'm assuming you're using a shroud and the fan blades are at the correct depth in the shroud opening...??? you can also improve cooling by sealing up openings on the edges of the shroud so more air is pulled thru the core, instead of the engine compartment... when's the last time you flushed your system? Electric fans are also a good way to go... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project

07-02-2002, 03:57 AM	#3
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I dont think 180-190 is bad in 110 degree heat. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

07-02-2002, 06:05 AM	#4
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I agree. That's not over heating. I'd call that just about normal in fact. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

07-02-2002, 07:01 AM	#5
RipMeyer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern New Mexico Posts: 649	You are not overheating! with a 15lb rad cap max operating temp is 247deg. Below 200 is normal (195 is the recommended op erating temp). Above 200 is mildly hot and I would say at 220 it time to really keep an eye on it. Last edited by RipMeyer; 07-02-2002 at 08:29 AM.

07-02-2002, 12:35 PM	#6
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I had the same worries when I replaced my hoses and thermostat on my daily driver. I was so used to the temp guage sitting at the first mark that when I put the new 180 degree thermostat in I was concerned when the needle rose to just left of center that it was overheating! I kept shutting the truck off. It's normal. I finally figured out that my old thermostat had failed in the open position. That's why it always took FOREVER for my truck to warm up in the winter. Now it heats up, the thermostat opens at 180, and I have a warm truck almost immediately. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

07-02-2002, 01:36 PM	#7
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	I'm in Tucson, too. Last night I ran 195 on the way home. I have a 180 thermostat in. In the winter, I run 190 in regular driving, but with 105 temps, the extra 5 degrees isn't bad IMO. Pulled a full utility trailer Sunday 15 miles to the landfill and never hit 200 degrees, even up hill. I doubt you have anything to worry about. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

07-02-2002, 03:08 PM	#8
johnnyp Keepin' It Stock Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Grand Island, Nebraska, USA Posts: 554	Even with a 160 degree thermostate, you don't want the engine running at that low a temp. The engine runs best when its coolant is about 200 degrees. At 200 degrees the combustion chamber is hot enough to completely vaporize the fuel, providing better combustion and reducing emissions and the oil is thinner, so the engine parts move more freely, wastes less power, and metal parts wear less. __________________ 72 Sierra Grande - Maych Forget about "do it right the first time". Do it wrong the first time to learn how, then do it right the second time.

07-02-2002, 05:29 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Althoguh some go the other way of thinking...when you see a dyno sheet that shows 160 degree stat getting you almost 25 horses, sounds like a plan. That's probably why the hyperchip peopple tell you to get on when you get a stage 3 chip for the puter controlled cars. I run a 160 in the summer, and a 195 in the ugly season.

07-02-2002, 08:39 PM	#10
Sierra Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Victoria, Texas Posts: 71	Your engine should be just fine. 200 degrees or below won't hurt your engine, assuming all hoses and such are in good condition. Remember, your engine is a heat exchanger, and the hotter the cylinder, the more power transferred to the piston's power stroke. If the area surrounding the combustion chamber is considerably cooler than the exploding fuel/air mixture, excess energy (i.e., horsepower) is absorbed into the water jacket, rather than directed in a downward motion. The idea is to keep the intake charge as dense as possible, while maintaining the highest cylinder temperature your engine can live with.

07-02-2002, 11:58 PM	#11
nroden Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,098	Trust me.. thats fine. We have a tractor that runs at 210-220 a lot and its fine. Its just it isnt moving very fast so it doesnt really get any air cooled... just what the fan can do and water pump. __________________ Nick Rodenberg 72 Cheyenne 10 V8 350/TH350 white/ochre/white/ochre, ochre/saddle interior Retired and in the dry... still runs. I now drive Red '01 Ford Focus... better MPG!!!



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