Need your advice!!! Cooling....

[t1971Chally]

Hey guys,

I need your advice!  Late last summer here in Indiana my car engine temp would tend to climb up to 210ish in traffic sitting still.  It has a 440 magnum, brand new 3 core brass radiator, 5 blade fan with clutch, and new 180* or 190* (cant remember) thermostat in it.  I am missing the radiator shroud for now however I just ordered one from Roseville Moparts. 
I am trying to decide if I should install the shroud and see if that is enough to bring the temp back down OR go ahead and order a 6 or 7 blade fan with a HD clutch?  However I am a little confused on that issue as well as some on here have stated that the 5 blade actually performs better than the 6 or 7 blade fan.  Which one is better?

Can you give me some advice as to what you think I should do?  Install shroud and wait?  Go ahead and buy 6/7 blade fan?  Keep current fan?  Undecided......

Thanks,

T1971Chally

[Cooter]

See if you can find a used 7 blade and install the shroud FIRST..That way, you know what did what. If you install both at the same time, then you won't know what helped. BTW: Good luck getting a 440 that likes to run 200 degrees in traffic idling, to run cooler...I got THREE (3), out of the three, Only ONE likes to run under 200 degrees sitting still in 90* plus weather....

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Let's start with a fan shroud before you make any other changes. 

[t1971Chally]

Guys thanks for the input!

Cooter - of the two that run above 200,,,what temps do they reach in traffic?  What thermostat are you using? 

Finally, what is considered to hot in traffic for a 440? 

Do you guys happen to know what the correct 7 blade fan part number is for a 71 - 440 with a 22 inch radiator? 

I would like to keep my eyes open for one just in case it pops up.

Thanks,

Ted

[72cudamaan]

Putting in a shroud will probably fix your problem.

[dodj]

Do you guys happen to know what the correct 7 blade fan part number is for a 71 - 440 with a 22 inch radiator? 

I think the 440's came with a 26" rad. 
May be part of your problem.

[femtnmax]

I have a Snap On thermometer that can be set in the radiator cap opening.  This will tell you the true water temp.  On my 360 challenger dash gauge, the temp reads near the top of the "normal" zone, yet the thermometer says the actual temp is only 174 degF, and I'm using a 180 thermostat.  So I know the gauge/sender is wrong.
 
I have a 7 blade, 20 inch diameter fan with Mopar pentstar, blades have part # 3462186.  If this fits your car and/or is what you need I will give it to you for FREE if you pay the shipping.  The fan does NOT have a clutch with it.  I kept the clutch, but the fan is too large diameter for my small block fan shroud.  Phil

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I think the 440's came with a 26" rad. 
May be part of your problem.

I was thinking that too, but I remembered Moparal had 440 with a 22" radiator. It can't be common, and of course the car came with minimal options. No AC for sure.

[t1971Chally]

Hey guys,

The car originally had a 383 big block in it.....however I have read where there were some challengers with 440's and 22 inch radiators in them.  I can't remember the options etc....but I do remember reading it. 

Femtnmax - thats a very generous offer you made me and I thank you!!!  However before I can take you up on it I need to find out the fan blade opening on the 22 inch shroud that I ordered yesterday. 

Ted

[Cooter]

I've tried EVERYTHING on the other two to get 'em to run cooler. NOTHING works, they just simply like to run anywhere from 200-220 degrees. And I'm NOT running the stock gauge. I run aftermarket Mechanical gauges on BOTH of 'em and each has a different gauge,. but I guess even the mech. gauges COULD be wrong, but Raytec says they are correct. I'm just hoping against hope that the Challenger doesn't run as hot as it has A/C on it..

This will be the ONLY one of my cars that will still retain the A/C and Heater. It does have the bigger radiator though so hopefully, it will run a little cooler...

[femtnmax]

Do they offer a high flow water pump for the big blocks?? Has this already been discussed??  I would assume there is a police service water pump out there....There is for the small blocks.

Back in the day, the local highway patrol in our area ran 440 dodges with the 6 pack carbs.  We had no speed limit then and they needed all they could get.

[Moparal]

Lots of reasons for a bb to run hot.  Sludge in the cylinders and heads is a quick hot issue for circulation.  Thin cylinder walls is also another, bad thermal clutch or wrong one, bad finns on water pump. Running to rich, retarted timing, no shroud, there are so many issues, it is always hard to get it right. Not to mention the other stuff spoken here like bad sending units and stuff.

I always remove all freeze plugs from heads and block, then go through every cleaning effort I can to remove all caked on rust and sludge. This can take many hours to do. Including cleaning the steam holes. Then a new rad core, fan and new thermal clutch, new stock non ac pump, correct pulley sizes for the belts, fan shroud and done. Then I know I have tune up issues to deal with. I did a 499 with a 22 inch 3 row and shroud. Never had an issue. I used a 180 thermostat since the 192 seemed to hot for todays gas for me and my compression

[Roppa440]

You guys are probably not running enough initial spark timing for the crap they call fuel these days. Run more initial and it will run cooler.

[brads70]

I'm running a mild 440 with a aluminum crossflow rad, the core measures 21" ( 26" overall with the tanks) with a HHR electric fan , aluminum intake and water pump and housing with water wetter.
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10
 I have found water wetter drops the temps 15-20 degs? Car runs great even on 100 plus days!
Others prefere Purple ice?
http://www.royalpurple.com/radiator-additive.html
Hope that helps?