454 Engine Temps
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
454 Engine Temps
I have a 72 454 and wanted to check some temps.
In town 190 F
Interstate at 60 (if you believe this speed) 200
Interstate at 75+ 210 and climbs to 215. I have elec fan and turn on the temp drops to 210 and remains stable.
If you have a big block and have numbers please reply. Please don't get these temps confused with the small block. This is a biggie. :auto:
In town 190 F
Interstate at 60 (if you believe this speed) 200
Interstate at 75+ 210 and climbs to 215. I have elec fan and turn on the temp drops to 210 and remains stable.
If you have a big block and have numbers please reply. Please don't get these temps confused with the small block. This is a biggie. :auto:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Re: 454 Engine Temps (jimcork1)
I have a modified 454... becool radiator. Edelbrock aluminum w-pump. Spal fans. It sits solidly at 180F on the freeway no matter what speed. In town temps creep up to 200F where the fans turn on and it drops back to 180F within 2-3 minutes and the fans turn off.
You should not heat up on the freeway. There's more than enough airflow at those speeds. Have you checked your vacuum and mechanical advance? You should have 48-52 degrees on the freeway. Not enough advance or too much will make it run hot. Also, it may be running lean.
You should not heat up on the freeway. There's more than enough airflow at those speeds. Have you checked your vacuum and mechanical advance? You should have 48-52 degrees on the freeway. Not enough advance or too much will make it run hot. Also, it may be running lean.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Murrells Inlet SC
Re: 454 Engine Temps (jimcork1)
I have a 72 LS-5 454 big block. MIne runs about 190 degres all the time. It will depend on your thermostat of course but BB are well recognized as overheaters. Your highway temps seem a little high You should be able to hold the intown temperature on the interstate also. As long as they stay in the range your running now your probably okay.
I started having problems with my cooling only after I cammed it and changed the timing. It would creep up on 80 degree days until it overheated. After several feeble attempts to correct the problem, including new radiators, I finally had a radiator built with 20% more capacity. It now runs 190 degree all the time regardless of temperaturee, hills or how I flog it. No problem, even on a 100 degree day.
Good luck. Big Blocks rule! :jester :D :hurray: :hurray:
I started having problems with my cooling only after I cammed it and changed the timing. It would creep up on 80 degree days until it overheated. After several feeble attempts to correct the problem, including new radiators, I finally had a radiator built with 20% more capacity. It now runs 190 degree all the time regardless of temperaturee, hills or how I flog it. No problem, even on a 100 degree day.
Good luck. Big Blocks rule! :jester :D :hurray: :hurray:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC, Canada
Re: 454 Engine Temps (MEAN72)
I have a 72 LS-5 454 big block. MIne runs about 190 degres all the time. It will depend on your thermostat of course but BB are well recognized as overheaters. Your highway temps seem a little high You should be able to hold the intown temperature on the interstate also. As long as they stay in the range your running now your probably okay.
once a thermostat is open, it has no effect on an engine's operating temp
also BB overheating stories are more myth than fact. big engines make more heat, but a well maintained stock system can handle it just fine.
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: 454 Engine Temps (jimcork1)
I have a large aluminum rad and twin 16 inch electric fans. I like my temperature at 190. On the expressways both my fans are off and the temp runs at the 190, in light traffic I run a single fan and the temp holds. In stop and go I run both fans and again the temp never creeps to the 200.
Bigblocks do not need to overheat but a single electric fan would not work for me all the time. I do need 2.
This is just a shot of the front fan. There is one behind also but on the opposite side and down low.
Bigblocks do not need to overheat but a single electric fan would not work for me all the time. I do need 2.
This is just a shot of the front fan. There is one behind also but on the opposite side and down low.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Murrells Inlet SC
Re: 454 Engine Temps (Turbo-Jet)
also BB overheating stories are more myth than fact. big engines make more heat, but a well maintained stock system can handle it just fine.
:cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Re: 454 Engine Temps (MEAN72)
I read an interview with Duntov made in '71. One of the car mags did some top speed testing and found that if you ran the big-blocks over 140 mph for an extended period of time they would overheat. They asked Duntov why and he said the problem was the fan shroud. At high speeds the fan is a restriction and prevents enough air from going through the radiator. The solution was to put flaps in the shroud that open when a lot of air is pushed through the radiator, bypassing the fan.
He said he had the prototype on the shelf but the bean counters vetoed it.
Now the Spal dual 11" have these flaps in the shroud and I haven't noticed any highway heat problems. Not that I go 140 all that much, but even running on a road course it didn't heat up.
He said he had the prototype on the shelf but the bean counters vetoed it.
Now the Spal dual 11" have these flaps in the shroud and I haven't noticed any highway heat problems. Not that I go 140 all that much, but even running on a road course it didn't heat up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
454 Engine Temps Liscense Plate?
Thanks to all for the info. One other question. My 72 454 has the liscense plate up front. I am concerned this is blocking the airflow. Should this be removed? Thanks again.. :auto: :steering: :flag
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Re: 454 Engine Temps (Turbo-Jet)
also BB overheating stories are more myth than fact. big engines make more heat, but a well maintained stock system can handle it just fine.
:iagree: :cheers: :thumbs:
:iagree: :cheers: :thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Re: 454 Engine Temps Liscense Plate? (jimcork1)
Thanks to all for the info. One other question. My 72 454 has the liscense plate up front. I am concerned this is blocking the airflow. Should this be removed? Thanks again.. :auto: :steering: :flag
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
Re: 454 Engine Temps (jimcork1)
Along these same lines, would a Gen V or Gen VI big block run cooler than a Gen IV big block because of the larger water jackets?
Or would the temps be about the same?
Just Curious.
www.bigdogvettes.com
Or would the temps be about the same?
Just Curious.
www.bigdogvettes.com
