At least I think it's a 216. Anyway, I got the truck in March and the weather was cool. The truck ran about 165-170. As the weather got warmer, so did the engine until it became a problem. Checked the thermostat which was okay but replaced it anyway. Flushed the cooling system then upgraded the original radiator with a higher performance radiator from US Radiator. The truck still wants to run about 190 and closer to 200 when it idles. Still has the original four blade fan, so maybe an upgrade there or an electric fan in front of the rad, I don't know. I don't want to treat a symptom and miss the problem. What do you guys think?
At idle very little air is being drawn thru the radiator by the low pitch fan blades, then too at idle the water pump is slowed so that reduced water is being moved thru the system. Additionally, with less water movement the hotter water tends to rise to the top of the engine where the water temperature sensor is located.
That is normal. My unrestored 216 runs at 180 all the time unless I'm stuck in a traffic jam like I was yesterday. Temperature creeped up to 190-200 and didn't come down till I started moving again.
Unless your radiator is blowing water and steam out of the cap, you aren't overheating.
Leave your truck alone. An electric fan will probably block more air than it moves. They look awful, too.
Last edited by Peggy M; 04/20/20232:06 PM. Reason: Sorry ... correct for language
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy) 1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
What Otto says. But, what a beautiful truck! Still in awe. C
~Charley 1954 Chevy 3100 with 235 261 project engine “Ole Blackie” Follow along in the DITY 1963 Chevy half ton stepside short box 230 1954 GMC 3 ton 302 And several more Chevy camper and work trucks 1979 1987 1996 1931 Packard car, 327 i 8 auto
Check and make sure the heat riser is working properly. I put a 170 thermostat in my 39 216 and it doesn't go above it no matter the outside temp. I also have an original gm 6 bladed fan on it. Never have an overheating problem.
Wow that engine bay is beautiful! I have never seen a six bladed fan but it sounds interesting. My 216 cooled much better when I had the block tanked during the boring process. These engines weren't known for their exceptional cooling capabilities. I am talking about the pre 1941 216s. The water pump has one hole to push water into the block. One handy thing is the throttle control that you can use to elevate the idling speed to coo; it off a bit.
