I have a 69 vetted 350 350 and wanted to know if my temperature is high at 230. I was in traffic on a hot day and it went to 230, as I resumed normal traffic it was 210.

 

Seems a bit on the hot side but it could be error in your gauge. When all of the seals and shroud are in place, correct timing, fan blade, operating fan clutch, etc you should be closer to the 190-200 range. Checking the engine temp with a hand-held infrared unit will provide your actual temp so you can compare it to your dash gauge.

Are you getting any "boil over" when you park it after these kind of temp readings?

 

If that's a true measurement, it's too hot. I've found the cooling systems in both our C3s work(ed) really well - when they're all sorted as 67:72 advised. We have a '68 427/435 that I redid the cooling system on (DeWitt direct fit; hoses; belts; heater core; fan clutch; seals; 180 stat; etc.) and that thing runs 180-185 in traffic on 100 degree days.

A few thoughts:

• Have you verified the temp as 67:72 suggests?
• What degree thermostat are you running? How long since your stat has been replaced?
• How long since you've had the radiator flushed, etc.?
• Hoses in good shape, including the spring in the lower hose so it won't collapse?
• Fan clutch working properly?
• Correct fan?
• Water pump/impeller good?
• And, often overlooked, are all the fan shroud seals in place? Air is like water, it'll find its way around and take the easiest path. You need the seals to help direct the air through the radiator, not around it.

Might help if you shot a pic of your radiator and surrounding areas. We might be able to see something that will help. Best, Paul

 

How are you measuring your temp?

Pick up an infrared thermometer and shoot it at the upper radiator hose. 230 is really high. It might be a false reading, so be sure to check the gauge first.

Post some photos if you can!

 

Bottom line. 230 is scary for a gen 1. SBC. The C4's ran there all the time.
But your car. your looking for 190 - 200 in heavy traffic.

 

Verify that the engine is really getting up into the 230* range, the gauges on the C3's are frequently way off from the very start. The cooling system is not the only thing that can push the engine operating temperatures into the ridiculous range.

I would be sure that your vacuum advance is working properly as that has a bad habit of pushing the temperatures up when not advancing like it should. Verify that you timing is where you want it for the base setting. Watch the vacuum advance work to be sure it is working and you don't have stuck parts inside the distributor. Verify that your centrifugal advance and the Vacuum advance are both working. First connect the timing light and then disconnect the vacuum supply to the distributor and plug it up. Rev the engine to see the centrifugal advance work. Then reconnect the vacuum to the distributor and watch it again to ensure that the vacuum advance is working. The vacuum hoses might be leaking so I would give them a good look over and replace if needed.

When filling the cooling system it depending on where you live do not use too much anti-freeze. Anti-freeze does not help your engine run cooler. Too much anti-freeze and the engine will run Hotter. Also check or replace the radiator cap. If you have a radiator overflow jar be sure the hoses is good and that you have fluid in the jar before starting the engine. When the engine warms up it should push coolant into the overflow and when cooling it should be able to pull coolant from the overflow back into the radiator. If this is not happening then you can be pulling a large volume of air into the radiator which will help the engine run Hotter. I replace the radiator cap every few years to ensure it is a good working unit. I also like to use the Red Line brands Water Wetter in the coolant as it helps the heat removal.