I just got a new 383 short block today!! And im just looking to make my compartment as clean as i possibly can, since i have dropped lots of money into parts for my engine, i want to make it look like that when ya pop the hood! Anyways i started to look at pulleys, and buying one of those underdrive kits is almost as cheap as just buying new ones in aluminum. So the question is..will slowing my water pump down on this 383 make my engine overheat?? I am planning on just sticking with the stock radiator, and water pump..any insight would be greatly appreciated!!! I just figure if it doesnt..might as well add some speed if im spending money!

 

Well as you probably know already, these things tend to run on the hot side to begin with. The fiberglass body absorbs very little heat compared to a steel body. It like insulates the compartment and keeps more heat in. With the kind of money yur spendin on the engine, why not protect it with an upgraded cooling system? Dual electric fans can do a great job of cooling, even when stuck in traffic. They will also free up more HP without the engine mechanical fan drawing down the availble power. If you can afford it an aftermarket aluminum rad would be nice too. Loose weight with aluminum and increase cooling capacity to boot. About the under drive pulleys, you have to consider the diameter of all the pulleys. For instance, I have a March set on mine. Both the crank and waterpump pulleys are smaller in diameter. So the drive ratio is not that different. Even if the the pump was slowed down a bit, consider the water moving thru the rad would be spending more time in there, therefore it gets cooled to a lower temp before re-entering the engine. I noticed no change in cooling characteristics when I installed the March pulleys. It will still get hot when stuck in traffic but runs good temp when moving. No different than before.

 

Thanks alot, sounds like i should get a job so that i can get a new radiator and fan. The march set is the ones i got too. So suggestions on a new electric fan and radiator please? Damn this thing is just eating my pocketbook.

 

Anyone have any input..would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks so much!!!!