Engine temp question

[rusty dodge]

I fired up my newly rebuilt 440, and think I have a cooling problem. I'm using a new 26 aluminum rad that has 2 10" spal electric fans mounted on a shroud. This is the northern radiator kit from Universal Parts. It cost me $600.00 for the radiator setup, and I thought It should cool better than this.

It was 85 deg outside, and if i let it idle in park for about 15 min, the engine temp (new autometer gauge) will reach 200. I then shut it down as i don't think this is correct.

The t-stad is a milodon 160 deg, and I checked it's opening temp. and it is correct.

How hot does a 440 run while in park?

[Hot_Rodder]

Since I'm not sure how you got it built, my mostly factory 440, with the 26" factory style radiator, and a flex fan, it normaly ran somewhere between 160*F - 180*F...... 200*F to me... Sounds a little high. Since you said you checked your opening temp, and it was right, I'm assuming that it is circulating correctly? Now as far as the radiator, what is it rated for? I've seen Be Cool modular radiator kits rated to 1000 h.p. but those are a little bit more. New gauge, I'm assuming it's electrical? Or is it mechanical?

[Grancoupe]

Alot of variables missing but you should not be running over 180 - 190. If you are something isn't right. Especially at 85 outside temp

[rusty dodge]

it's got a engle k56 cam, performer rpm intake, not huge hp but good enough. The guage is electrical, I'm sure its correct, the engine is hot and the air off the 2 fans is very hot. I don't know about this fan - shroud combo, maybe not enough airflow, though they seem strong for 10 inchers. Im going to experiment some more tomorrow.

But just to find out, can you idle for 30 -40 min, should be no problem right? maybe idle all day?

[EVIL72]

 Have you tuned the carb yet? It may be running really lean.
 Also you could try tossing on a flex fan instead, to see if it's the electric fans.

[Chryco Psycho]

I would use a clutch fan over electrics, had problems with electrics in the past not keep cool
 I also recommend using a 180 or 190 T stat , it will usually run cooler this way

[tactransman]

Is it OK running down the road? If it is ,then it is definitely just an air flow problem (fan,shroud etc.)

[Grancoupe]

Where is the sender installed on the motor?

[Morris'_Mopars]

Is it OK running down the road? If it is ,then it is definitely just an air flow problem (fan,shroud etc.)

^True^
My Cuda gets up to 200 in park but driving down the raod 180-190 

[pink panther]

Are the fans wired right? if the are behind the radiator make sure they are blowing through the front,  a lot of these fans will work anyway you wire them, but the fan that is a puller behind the radiater could actually be pushing if wired opposite.

[rusty dodge]

sender is in the water pump housing, fans are set up and wired as pullers. Carb could be lean, it is new and not tuned yet. Not able to test it driving down the road yet, as I'm still putting the rest of her back together.

I just got her running, and am trying to see what all new parts that I got, are actually not as described. Looks like this aluminum radiator setup is one like that, and is not the way to go.

Also add to the list of F***ed up venders, the TTI exhaust which has 3 1/2 inch ground clearance because the manifold down pipes are not bent right.

[rusty dodge]

For a follow up, I took off the electric fans  and put a mechanical 5 blade factory flex fan on it (from the orig. 318). No shroud, seems a little better. It idled for 20 min and went from 150 starting temp, up to 200.

So i guess I will put the electrics back on and see if I can live with it, cars not a daily driver, so I probably wont end up stuck in traffic.

Best is to set it up with a mechanical fan, and put the 2 10 inchers on the front, but then the problem is how to make a fan shroud for the mechanical that looks good.

[Grancoupe]

I think you'll end up band aiding a bigger problem. you should be able to idle at 85 degrees. what about the coolant? are you running alot of antifreeze? you might want to try water wetter or there is another competitor that makes a similar product. Did you check the rad cap? Make sure its building the right amount of preassure? Very important to keep the pressure up high. Raises the boiling point. Have you had the rad flow tested? Maybe there is a blockage. Look at your spark plugs and make sure your not lean burning. That will build alot of heat. If the motor is a new build, maybe there is a vac leak causing the motor to lean burn. Check your timing too. Make sure that its around what it should be. Is the lower hose colapsing at all? Does the car cool down alot if you put on the heat?

[Oldschool]

What is wrong with 200*?     230-240 or higher, I would see a problem, but 200* seems well within the thermal limits for the engine.  Just wondering if I am missing something here.......       

[KellysCuda aircard]

Be Cool, 1000hp package is what i bought and it was the right stuff, idles all day at 190. Although a little expensive.