java0881

i've just installed an electro fan and now i'm wondering what switch to get and at what temp the fan should come on.with the original belr driven fan my temp would rarely go over 160-170.
basically:what is the optimum temp range for a big block,or any V8 for that matter. :cheers:

bence13_33

The cooler the better I'm constantly battling this with my motor. I'm currently only running a clutch fan (I have dual flex-a-lites waiting for installation) and on a really hot day my temperature climbs. I've seen 220 a few times. More commonly my motor runs around 190-210 depending on how hot it is. Really the only thing keeping my motor from running hot is my $500 Be Cool radiator. I run straight water in the summer time (dissipates heat better).

Driving down the highway my car is usually only at 160-170. In town at the stop lights is where it gets me. I will sometimes shut my car off at a redlight if it's a hot day.


[Modified by bence13_33, 9:20 PM 3/26/2003]

Smokehouse69

According to the 69 owners manual that 210 degrees was normal temperature for a big block or a small block with the stock 195 degree thermostat.

442olds

It all depends on what your trying to do. The hotter the better if you want to reduce emissions and get good milage on the highway, but not to hot. 220 is about the cut off. I have seen factory big blocks run 215 consistantly on the highway, they just like it there. Now if you want max power the cooler the better. Optimum temp on the gage just before take off for a 1/4 mile run is about 170. Normal everyday driving with good power you should expect to run around 180/190 consistantly on a mid temp day, get into the 100's a be glad you can keep it under 200.

230 is about my sane cut off point before I'll shut a motor down. I've seen the temp gage peg 250 on several different motors. It really sucks driving to work one moring and find out your thremostat is stuck closed and won't open until the water temp hits well over 250, let me tell you when that bastard opens its like hitting the nitrous in comparison. I got lucky. The other motor was a Honda F3 motorcycle engine. Poor cooling design and to many long stops cause it to overheat and run without water for at least 20 minutes. Cooled it off with a fan and filled her back up and ran a 5 sec acceleration run over 100 yards. Not bad, and I give it all to the Mobil 1 Oil in the crank case that kept it alive, and bleive it or not that motor is still running today without a rebuild.

Larry B.

On a hot day mine gets to around 190-200 but may go to 210 in traffic. At those temps it doesn't run as good, has less power and tend to ping a little. I just drive it easy under those conditions. The best performance with no pinging comes at 160. I would love it to run 16- all the time but.... :banghead: BTW I have taken 12deg out of the initial timing AND do not use a vacuum advance so I don't want to retard the timing any more.

norvalwilhelm

To me 190 would be idle for normal driving. Wear at 160 is 4 times greater then at 190. Also gas needs to be at 185 to atomize properly. Not enough temperature and the cylinders see more raw gas.
I use to run at 160 thinking I was doing good for my motor but not anymore. Run a 180 degree thermostat and get better mileage and life out of the motor.
Newer motors run hot and lean. Nascar motors run over 200 and when they get to about 230 they start to worry.
Don't run the motor too cool.

Brettmc

My 468 with copper/brass radiator and dual Spals runs 190-200.

Brett :thumbs:

MELVIN

I deall;y, 180 degrees. Remeber, some gauges are not very accurate. Also, say you are running a 180 degree thermostat. That doesnt mean you will be running 180 degrees. Thats just when the thermostat opens. You will still be running slightly higher.

By my research though, the near ideal running temp for a bb is 180