70 Big Block, normal temp range?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
70 Big Block, normal temp range?
My temperature gauge seems to level off around 210 degrees.
Is this normal running temperature?
How do I tell if the fan clutch is failing?
How stiff should it be once the engine is fully warmed?
I think the thermostat is 180, could be 190.
Is this normal running temperature?
How do I tell if the fan clutch is failing?
How stiff should it be once the engine is fully warmed?
I think the thermostat is 180, could be 190.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
my 72BB has a brand new engine, and oem radiator. When I had the crate motor installed last year I had the original radiator cleaned and then installed an electric fan. Make sure you have a correct reading temp sender. In the hot San Antonio summer mine would idle at 180-190 degrees. I at first used an autozone temp sender and it said 220. I read on here that parts house senders read incorrectly. I bought one from Lectric Unlimited and read their ohm vs temp reading. I verified with their chart that their sender read correctly and installed it. with a 180 degree thermostat the temp gauge never goes above 190.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Thanks
I'll check into the sender. I have access to a temperature gun which I just point and
pull a trigger, gives the surface temp of what I'm pointing at. Wonder is this may help me determine whether it's running hot?
I'll check into the sender. I have access to a temperature gun which I just point and
pull a trigger, gives the surface temp of what I'm pointing at. Wonder is this may help me determine whether it's running hot?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
My fan clutch never seems to really lock up. Even when the car is fully warmed up I can spin the fan without much resistance.
Should the clutch become stiff when the engine is heated up?
Should the clutch become stiff when the engine is heated up?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
The general role is to watch the fan when you shut off the engine (when fully wamed up) if it turns more than 3 revs before it stops, then you have a bad clutch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I point it to the thermostat housing, gives me a pretty accurate readings there, unless you have the chrome one, then your IR gun wont pick up the correct reading because it can't read the temps off a shiny, mirrored surfaces.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 121
From: Sulphur LA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19,'24, '25
Fan clutch is as others have indicated, check during shutdown
There will be some drag present but you should still be able to spin it fairly easily
verify T-stat to determine temps
Neal
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 840
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From: Oshawa
Rick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
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From: Rockledge FL
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: Stafford VA
I know how a thermostat works and if your car's "normal" operating temp is above the thermostat's opening temp, the thermostat is not doing anything in that application. Other than warming a cold motor up faster, the thermostat is wide open during normal operation.
This is a good thread, saved me from buying a thermostat for my new big block.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
I know how a thermostat works and if your car's "normal" operating temp is above the thermostat's opening temp, the thermostat is not doing anything in that application. Other than warming a cold motor up faster, the thermostat is wide open during normal operation.
This is a good thread, saved me from buying a thermostat for my new big block.
This is a good thread, saved me from buying a thermostat for my new big block.
