1963 327/340 running hot

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

On more than one occasion, when I've drained a cooling system and left it drained for a while, upon putting it back in service it doesn't cool as well as it previously did. My theory is that when the radiator innards dry out, something forms on the interior of the passages which inhibits heat transfer. I've never been able to find any chemical flush which removes the "something" or improves the heat transfer. So with an aluminum radiator the solution is replacement.

Offered for what it's worth.....

[Bob A.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

On more than one occasion, when I've drained a cooling system and left it drained for a while, upon putting it back in service it doesn't cool as well as it previously did. My theory is that when the radiator innards dry out, something forms on the interior of the passages which inhibits heat transfer. I've never been able to find any chemical flush which removes the &quot;something&quot; or improves the heat transfer. So with an aluminum radiator the solution is replacement.<br />
<br />
Offered for what it's worth.....

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

It seams you have been careful and covered every base.
I noticed you measured the "temperature at the head, (infra red gun) matches the gauge."
What are the infrared reading on the upper and lower hoses.
The color of the part can affect the readings and the gun is calibrated for black.

My 340hp has no issues with running hot.
Don't forget to check the alternate voltage output with the motor running. High voltages will affect the readings.

[Stephen L.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Have you driven the car at night when the ambient temp would be lower? Same result?

[Bob A.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Steve, I have not but will do next week and advise. Thx, Bob

[Bob A.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Thx Richard, Good thoughts. I will investigate your points next week.
A couple Questions?
-At what temp does your thermostat activate, 160 - 180?
- Once warmed up, what temp does your gauge read? Hi/Lo?
-Can your engine sit at idle, no air flow, for an extended period of time without overheating

[Bob R.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Bob
Your car was designed to run with a 180 thermostat and probably runs best with the 180. I know it won't help with your overheating problem but I'm sure the engineers had a reason for the 180 and I don't see any reason to go with the 160.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Bob
Your car was designed to run with a 180 thermostat and probably runs best with the 180. I know it won't help with your overheating problem but I'm sure the engineers had a reason for the 180 and I don't see any reason to go with the 160.

Bob------


There is no good reason to use a 160 degree thermostat.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Bob------


There is no good reason to use a 160 degree thermostat.

Joe,
If you have a C1 fuelie and a cooling system in good enough condition for the thermostat to control engine temperature, a 160 thermostat will give you a better driving experience than will a 180 t'stat.

You can get away with a 180 t'stat on C2 fuelies because they are less prone to fuel perc.

C1 fuelies need all the help they can get. I run a 160 t'stat in my own fuelies and I recommend them to people for whom I do FI work.
Jim

[Mark E.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Bob------


There is no good reason to use a 160 degree thermostat.

Supposedly a cooler intake/engine enables a cooler fuel/air charge which makes more power. I also heard that running 160 vs 180 causes more engine wear. I don't know, but my guess is there is negligible power gain or difference in wear.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Joe,
If you have a C1 fuelie and a cooling system in good enough condition for the thermostat to control engine temperature, a 160 thermostat will give you a better driving experience than will a 180 t'stat.

You can get away with a 180 t'stat on C2 fuelies because they are less prone to fuel perc.

C1 fuelies need all the help they can get. I run a 160 t'stat in my own fuelies and I recommend them to people for whom I do FI work.
Jim

Jim------


There is no way that a C2 small block cooling system can maintain a stable 160 degree temperature. While it might be possible in a very low ambient temperature situation or on a long downhill grade with the engine not under load and the car at cruising speed, it's not possible in the driving conditions that most C2's are used today. No C2 was ever originally equipped with a 160 degree thermostat.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Jim------


There is no way that a C2 small block cooling system can maintain a stable 160 degree temperature. While it might be possible in a very low ambient temperature situation or on a long downhill grade with the engine not under load and the car at cruising speed, it's not possible in the driving conditions that most C2's are used today. No C2 was ever originally equipped with a 160 degree thermostat.

I admit I have a 160 thermostat installed in my '70 454. If cruising between 40-70 mph in temperatures below mid-80s to 90 degrees, the thermostat cycles open/closed as the radiator stays ahead of the heat load. It will idle that way if below about 80 degrees.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Jim------


There is no way that a C2 small block cooling system can maintain a stable 160 degree temperature. While it might be possible in a very low ambient temperature situation or on a long downhill grade with the engine not under load and the car at cruising speed, it's not possible in the driving conditions that most C2's are used today. No C2 was ever originally equipped with a 160 degree thermostat.

No argument about the C2 cooling system, Joe. On a warmish day the temp gauge on my '63 will climb under the right conditions, like if I'm returning to the Sierra from the flatlands. That said, most of the time the engine temp will hover around 160-ish.

The top tank radiator on my '60 needs to cool only a little bitty 283. Unless I'm pushing that car to unauthorized velocities on really warm day, the engine remains around 165, measured with a thermocouple bolted to the t'stat housing. Preventing fuel perc with that car's FI is a big deal to me. I don't see any reason to encourage the fuel perc problem by running a 180 t'stat.

Jim

[Gary C.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

Bob,

My '64 driver that I had for years was bored .60 over. Had a flow kooler water pump on and a Robert Shaw drilled 180 degree thermostat. Never over heated in Texas summers with after market air conditioning running.

Gary
....

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 327/340 running hot

I am using a 180 deg thermostat. Seems to activate at correctly at 180.
I have had one issue and it was in traffic on a hot day. Temp went up to 190 indicated.
I traced the issue to a 50+ year old clutch fan. I had the clutch rebuilt.
Temp is solid at 180 even in traffic.

Yes, the motor will idle all day without over heating.
However, it doesn't get really hot here. I can only say for sure it doesn't overheat at 80 deg outside temperature.