73 454

My motor is near new and has less than 3000 miles on it. The radiator is new w two electric fans. I was running an electric water pump w/ a 180 degree stat. And it would run over 210 according to my gauge.

I tried a 160 stat w that same set up and it didn't work. Now it's a 160 stat w mechanical water pump.

Last night I was cruising and it went to 230 on a nice cool 60/65 degree night.

Is there something easy I'm missing?

gcusmano74

210 degrees is not really overheating. Your temp gauge may not be accurate. Double check the water neck temperature with an infrared thermometer.
With a 15 pound radiator cap, and a 50/50 mix of antifreeze, the coolant wouldn't boil until maybe 265 degrees or so. Keep the 180 'stat, for engine longevity and efficiency.
Also, the thermostat only sets the low limit for the operating temperature.
Make sure all the factory seals are around the radiator and support, and your air dam is in place. These work together to make sure air flows through the radiator, and not around it.

AirBusPilot

A colder thermostat would make zero difference, it just sets the min temp, not max.

73 454

I have a laser thermometer that I pointed at the thermostat housing and hose. It was reading 238.

I'm not sure what cap I'm running I'll double check that.

69427

Two questions: What's your ignition timing, and is your bottom radiator hose collapsing?

76 406ci

I had the same problem with my 406. Running hot when it was just built. I put some water wetter in the coolant. Since I have put some miles on the motor it now runs cooler

doorgunner

And......what does temp run with the thermostat removed (just to make sure the stat is working properly.....if the engine still gets "hot"......like the other members said---something else is causing the problem---or the engine is still "very tight" (did you "burp" the heater core----that could take 30 minute in itself)

73 454

There isn't a heater on the car so I don't think that is the issue.

I put the electric pump/cooling fans on there to make sure this thing stays cool.

At the beginning of last summer the temp gauge would go to 250 and hang out there for a second then go back to 160/180 then it would just increase from there to 210 plus.

Now it doesn't max out at all and just slowly goes to 210 plus.

I just use the car for cruising on nice nights but want to get this figured out before it gets to 90 degree and lots of humidity outside and really have a problem on my hands.

The motor is slightly built w/ a mild cam and more compression but I didn't think that would be that big of deal.

73 454

Could it be my sending unit? I could have sworn that was new when I built the motor though...

73 454

Well I think we found the problem. We adjusted the timing a little and found that my fuse to my fans was burnt out so I should be in good shape.

Does anyone have any pictures of the plastic shielding around the front of the radiator?

We were looking and we can see the ground between the front of the radiator and the head light vacuum can. And I'm not sure if that is the way it's supposed to be? Or if I'm missing a piece and my front chin splitter is aftermarket as well?

73 454

Here are a couple of pictures