keeping a big block running cool

[giannini]

my truck has a 454ci iorn block iorn heads,edelbrock high flow water pump,restrictor plate with 3/4 inch hole in place of t-stat.big PWR double pass radiator with two fans. last weekend I could not keep the thing under 240 all day in ridgecrest. does water wetter really work? maybe a second radiator in sequence with the existing one? I need to cool this thing down.any suggestions?

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[JEFFRPM]

What heads are you running and what part number head gasket? gm did some really silly things over the years with waterflow.

[giannini]

the heads are stockers gen v. i cant recall the gasket part #. i put this thing together a few years ago.

[gawdodirt]

Wow. These things never really had a problem. Large stock radiator config. Go back to a stock pulley and pump and re-install the T-stat. We ran the crap of these things stock with 14,000 lbs. in Death Valley and no over heating problems. Make sure you're not using a reverse flow pump. There are serpentine pumps and V-belt pumps.

Only the really high dollar elec fans can compete with a stock engine driven with a fan clutch. So unless you have over $500 in fansand shouds and relays,, go back to the stock system.

GD

[stevenc]

I also want to mention. Check your timing, it can make a world of difference.

[clogking]

Are you running a fan shroud?

[giannini]

the radiator is currently mounted in the rear of the truck behind the rear window. because of the configuration of the chassis I do not have the room to move the radiator back to the front in stock position. The fans are mounted on a shorud on the radiator. the timing is set at 6 deg. advance at 1000 rpm.

[stevenc]

giannini,

Is it cammed? Whats your fuel delivery setup?

Try setting the timing to to 8 or 10 (1000rpm, vac advance disconnected) and see if it makes a difference.

Another thing, Since you are running a rear mounted radiator, make sure you got all the air out of the lines.

What are you running in the system? Water only? 50/50?

[partybarge_pilot]

If your still running the stock bypass hose, you can NOT run a 3/4 restrictor plate. Ditch the bypass hose and the restrictor plate, run a Robert Shaw thermostat with bleed holes. End of problems......

[giannini]

i run 50/50 water and parts plus house brand coolant.I'm sure all the water is purged fron the lines.
partybarge, are you talking about the hose that goes between the water pump and the intake? where do i find the robert shaw thermostat?