engine temperature

Ok guys help! I have a 460 bb that wants to heat up a idle.The engine is mostly stock just with intake change and headers.Very cool at cruising down the highway.Runs like a Ape.I have a new radiator, water pump,and pressure cap.Engine has about 10,000 miles on it. Has 6 blade fan.I have a 600 holley on it.Could it be to lean at idle.Engine came out of a RV.It is in a 67 Ford 2 Door sedan.It has a custom made aluminum radiator.The engine has an oil cooler also.Thanks.

Fan shroud?

Yes

Has it always overheated ?

I don't know as it was a junk yard find.I did hear it run before it was pulled.It does not take long to cool down as you start moving.Also I have a 160 thermostat.

Sure sounds like a fan thing.. Make sure the fan is as close to the radiator as you can get it . Is it a clutch fan or does it run directly off the pump? What kind of ' custom' radiator is in it?

Fan is direct.Radiator made to 67 428 specs.

Ok then . Are you having to add coolant ? I'm new to the BBF but I used to run a bunch of 289's. They ran hot when they blew head gaskets....Other than that make sure the pump is moving plenty of water at idle. Take the cap off and raise the rpm's ..The water level will drop in the radiator if the pump is in good shape.

I am a small block fan also.Had many.But I love this bb.Goes fast and fun to play with to be kinda stock.I would like to add A/C but I know I have to get this temp thing worked out.I do have a recovery tank also.I have not added any coolant so far.I have added an electric fan on the front of the radiator to help.It has ran close to 220 and I look for a place to let it cool down.I know for some thats not hot but for me its getting close to boiling.I have a 16lb cap on it also.I do think the fan might be a problem as it just doesn't move air at idle.I have also played with the timing.I'm thinkin of installing a FlowKooler water pump next.

Good luck to you sir.

Thanks alot for ur replys Dave.I will let u know if I find a fix for it.

I seen you said you had a 160* tremostat have you tried a 180 or 190 in it some times the cooler ones want work good as the cycle is to fast and don't let the water cool enough.

check the timing and check the plugs to see if its in tune.

Whenever I got my 460 in my 66 comet I had an over heating problem similar to yours .On a warm day I was in the 220 range also .Ihad a big radiator,fan,pump and all that .I had to do some digging but I found a smaller than stock diameter water pump pulley .That cures my overheating problem .You need a seven blade fan a properly fitted shroud and have you looked at the lower radiator hose? If it doesnt have the spring in it sometimes they collapse from the suction .Maybe a big flex fan will help .If you decide to try a clutch fan get yourself a heavy duty thermal fan clutch.They cool better than a std.Personally I have had no luck with electric fans on my 460s .The smaller water pump pulley I used was probably 1" smaller in diameter than my stock piece .I had to shim it to get proper belt alignment and somehow I believe it was a chevy part .And the last thing to check .Is your initial timing correct ?Retarded timing will cause overhaeting too. Good luck after you get this fixed you will be happy and can run the piss out of you car!Doug

if it will cool while moving its not the rad... had the problem with my 52 F!... fan is not pulling enough air at idle put a large box fan in front of the car blowing at the rad. and test if this will cool it at idle.. if it does u know it air flow cross the rad. if not the pump is not flowing enough water raise the rpm to see if that helps... I would bet its the fan was on mine had to step up to a elec. fan get a large oem fan from a Lincoln they pull around 40 amps ... amps are hp just like ci. if u want cfm u need 40 plus amps the cheap ones wont do it amps is power... if FORD, GM, CHSYLER could do it with 10 amps they would but there million of $$$$$ R&D say u need power amps

Thanks Guys.I will try and get to the bottom of this.

Needs more fan. You .ay also need a restrictor in the thermostat housing.

Are you saying that the coolant is circulating to fast and not staying in the radiator long enough.

If it cools while the engine is working at cruise, but not at idle, I'd say you have an airflow issue. If you have a good shroud, I'd bet the ranch it's the fan.

Just dont have the room for a large fan.Has a 16 inch fan now with 6 blades.But I'm thinkin the same thing, Airflow is not up to par.I'll have to work on that some how.It runs 170 at cruising speed.55-60 mph.It had a much larger radiator in the RV.

What kind pf hood? Does it have a scoop? Open the hood and see if it still heats up at idle.

Did that .It still heats up but not as fast.Been thinkin about installing a BOSS429 type hood scoop.Like the early ones.

I had a cooling issue once that was cured when I let the hot air OUT. Also had hot idle issues with a 514 in a '69 Mach 1....ditched the electric fan for a Flex-a-lite. Fixed.

I have a flex fan now with an electric fan in front of the radiator.When it starts to heat up I turn the electric fan on as it has a manual switch.It does help a little but it's not hot right now.I want to put a/c in the car but I know it will double the problem.That is why I want to get to a happy medium with it before I install it.

A new water pump you say...? Which one...?
What are your pulley ratios...?