1974 454 normal temperature?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
That depends on a number of factors:
What city? What air temperature? What relative humidity? Condition of the radiator? Condition of the shroud seals? Does the thermostatic fan still work?...properly?
In moderate air temp conditions and in city driving with A/C on, you shouldn't see more than 210F, or so. If it goes significantly higher, you could have a bunch of reasons why: bad thermostat; bad thermostatic fan; limed-up radiator; old, ratty coolant; no shroud extension; bad or no radiator shroud seals; defective radiator cap; yadda, yadda
What city? What air temperature? What relative humidity? Condition of the radiator? Condition of the shroud seals? Does the thermostatic fan still work?...properly?
In moderate air temp conditions and in city driving with A/C on, you shouldn't see more than 210F, or so. If it goes significantly higher, you could have a bunch of reasons why: bad thermostat; bad thermostatic fan; limed-up radiator; old, ratty coolant; no shroud extension; bad or no radiator shroud seals; defective radiator cap; yadda, yadda
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
This is really a question of what "hot" is. I realize 210 is not overly hot for a BB, but at 210 it is hot and things seem to smell hot, the floors even with liners are hot, the hood is hot and wow -- when you turn it off the heat soak runs up to 240 on a gauge with sensor in the head.
An aluminum radiator car like using a DeWitt radiator will track at 180-190 vs the copper core at 210 or more. So we are back to the question of radiator type and what is acceptable for "hot".
An aluminum radiator car like using a DeWitt radiator will track at 180-190 vs the copper core at 210 or more. So we are back to the question of radiator type and what is acceptable for "hot".
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 243
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From: North Georgia
sounds like its ok.....but when radiator needs replacing I know what to get....
thanks guys,
