I went through all of this with mine. It turned out that my biggest problem was a bad torque wrench on the head bolts.

A lot of people said 210 is not that hot for a 350, but it was for me. I could feel the loss of performance when it got towards 200 degrees. I got a champion 4-core, high volume water pump and a 140 thermostat. It still got too hot with the electric fan.

I finally moved the radiator forward and down to allow for a Mopar 7-blade fan on the motor and now I'm running 180 on the hottest of days and around 160 in cooler weather. It's probably that rare fan that did the trick.

In short, my advice is, if at all possible get a fan on the engine and dump the electric one.


1953 Chevrolet 3600
Fried Green T'mater (Vern)
In the Stovebolt Gallery
Caution: Political Statement
Man who runs in front of car gets tired, man who runs behind car gets exhausted.