Ok guys i got another question! I am VERY new to the chevy 350 and still very new to the cruiser. So dont laugh when i ask this question :D How hot should a chevy 350 get? My gauge said it got up to 250-255 deg. yesterday!! Is this normal? I was just driving around in our feild we have and playing on some little stuff for about an hour or so. It was mostly stop and go, but should it get THAT HOT? If it isnt supposed to, then how can i cool it down? I filled the raidiator fluid up the day before and now the reserve container is almost empty but the radiator is still full. Mabey yall can help me because i am stumped as to what to do :( . And again.....please dont laugh at me!

well if you search there are a ton of options but ill list them for you.

cut out inner fender wells to let hot air escape.
get an aluminum radiator or have the stocker re worked.
have a good shroud(assuming manul fan) or get an electric black magic fan in junction with a good RAD.
make sure your coolant is teh proper mixture.
make sure timing and everythign is adjusted correctly.
make sure your sending unit it right for your water temp gauge.
make sure you have a thermo
jiMMy

255 is WAY TOO HOT...

Check the timing first off. If it is off too much it can cause overheating... Many things concerning the actual conversion can cause chronic overheating... Engine placement, radiator size, etc.

Start by trying a ratio of about 25% antifreeze and 75%water. Take the radiator to a shop and have them tank it to clean oout the deposits... Make sure your lower hose(s) are not collapsing on themselves due to the waterpump suction...If so, put a spring in them... Check the fan clutch for proper resistance... Make sure you have an adequate fan and shroud...Is anything obstructing the air flow into the radiator???

-Brett

As for timing, what does everyone run, mines at 8 BTDC and roughly straight up with vacuum advance. Going to put stiffer springs in tomorrow with new weights and make all my adjustments at about 800 rpm(rough idle)......

13 adv before teh vacume kicks in

Way too Hot:mad3: My 283 V8 runs at 190 :) Bigger crank pully, custom 16 fins per inch radiator. This is in the summer time in the high deserts of Nevada.

Well me and my dad went out to lowes and advanced autoparts today and it never got hotter than 220. Mabey it was just the stop and go of the engine yeasterday :confused: ?? But even if that is the problem then how will it do rockcrawling at Tellico or Uhwarrie? I also looked in the radiator reserve container today and it was full! This is very very weird! Are aliens playing a trick on me :D ?

220 is too hot unless you have a new FI engine.

You need to get that baby down to 190-200*

Take the hood off if none of the timing tricks helps and you will know that it needs more ventilation.

If so, do like the JERK said and cut out the inner fenders some.

Not too much since you are on the East Coast...

Sounds like not enough airflow through the radiator. do you have a fan shroud? I know a lot of v-8 cruisers that have to run a mech fan as well as electric at low speeds.) If i wasn't working franticly to get ready to ride Blairsville, GA on fri. i'd come help you out. maybe when i get back.

wngrog, what did you mean by your east coast refrence? Not getting mud in the engine bay maybe??

Originally posted by 72rockcruiser
wngrog, what did you mean by your east coast refrence? Not getting mud in the engine bay maybe??

Yeah, I have been to Tellico a few times and there is often a lot of mud. I would not run a Cruiser there without the inner fenders.

Same with the places I run in Oklahoma...you need the inner fenders.

Not a problem for those west coast bastrets that get to wheel Moab and Johnson Valley.:flipoff2:

http://www.redlineoil.com/redlineoil/wwti.htm

I just cut out the rear of my inner fenders, and it worked well @ Tellico...(i.e. not too much crud in the engine area)

It is pretty damn hot here right now, but the biggest thing is: What kind of radiator do you have?

Call one of the Turpins at JT Outfitters, they can hook you up, and they're close...

I think i may have solved the riddle (i hope!). When i went out today to put on my new Chevota decal i opened the hood and looked at the electric fan behind the radiator. I didnt even know it was there!! So i start the engine and the fan doesnt come on. I flip the switches and still no go. So i am guessing ether the fan is broken or has an electricle problem. I will work on it tommaro and see if i cant get it working. I realy hope this has been the problem. I would realy hate to resort to cutting the inner fenderwells or haveing to spend tons of cash on this little problem.