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I got a question whats the normal temp range for a 292? I just hooked up some Autometer guages and I'm getting 210 degrees consistantly even on hot days. Is this normal? If this is higher than normal should I go with electric fans? Right now I'm running a clutch fan with 18" inch fan and shroud.

A little high. I run a electric fan, new radiator and seldom get over 190, never pop the 12 lb. pressure cap 210 won't hurt the engine. Just bears watching if you are loosing coolant.

It depends on where the sensor is, what thermostat you have and what coolant mix you are running. If its constant and not looseing coolant, you might try a cooler thermostat and see what happens. Try some of the Water-wetter addatives, they do help cool engines. 210 is about normal for a new computer controlled engine, its a tad warm for this type of engine. Have you checked the water temp in the radiator with a good thermometer? your new gauge could be a few degrees off. Joe

No coolant loss, stuck a thermometer in the coolant still reads 210...boy the temp guage is pretty accurate! I'm running a 180 thermostat should I go with a 160? I was looking at a product called Water Wetter some buddies I know swear by it. They run a mix of the stuff with distilled water, no coolant.

Where is your sensor mounted? I thought my 250 was running hot when the problem was really placement of the sensor. I had it mounted in a hole around #2 cylinder hole in the head. When I re-mounted it in the water neck temps went to 185 degree range. The hole in the head now holds a switch for my electric fan. Guys around here think a mech. fan is better than electric. I have to run electric because my six sits low in the engine desk and the mech. fan would "cut" the radiator to low. Pop a fuse and down you go. My custom radiator guy says NEVER run a pusher and puller fan together. A "vortex" is set up and you lose.

Legman292,

I will play the devils advocate. What is the condition of the radiator. This is where the action takes place.

If the tubes are plugged and it's not doing its 'thang', everything else is pretty much flogging a dead horse!

Stuart

My sensor is screwed into the hole by the #2 cylinder in the head. I thought about moving it to the thermostat housing. My radiator is a new Modine 3 core specific to a 292. I'd sure like to get the temp down to at least 190. I plan on adding A/C later on.

My sensor is screwed into the hole by the #2 cylinder in the head. I thought about moving it to the thermostat housing. My radiator is a new Modine 3 core specific to a 292. I'd sure like to get the temp down to at least 190. I plan on adding A/C later on.

Legman292,

I guess I am still confused on this. If you have a brand new radiator that was sized properly, shouldn't your thermostat be able to regulate engine temp within a few degrees of said thermostat. Isn't that what a thermostat is for!

Are there any mechanical issues with the engine that could be causing it to run hotter than the thermostat rating. :confused:



Stuart

An expansion on my earlier post. "Wrenches" tell me that by using the hole near the #2 cylinder you get elevated temperatures because your sensor is picking up transmitted head from the heads, which run hotter than the coolant (we hope). I believe that hole once held a sensor/switch for an idiot light and GM designed for the higher temperature.

Have double checked that there are no air pockets within the engine? If there are, it would cause the temp to be higher.

What would cause air pockets? Cracking the cooling system open, like replacing a water pump or thermostat? If so is there a way to purge air out of the system? Does anyone have thoughts on running distilled water with an additive?

The type of water shouldn't make much differnce. The addative helps the water "stick" to the iron instead of just flowing over it. If your radiator shows 210 and gauge shows 210, then you are creating some heat some place. The sensor is reading right, but why so hot? I could be time for a check up, timing, vacuum advance, plugs, mixture, etc...... something is out of spec! Joe

The statement has been made the actual coolant temp was checked with an accurate thermometer at the radiator fill hole, and this reading jived with the temp gauge. The location of the sensor it MOOT, it IS reading accurately. The system is running considerably higher than thermostat rating...the system isn't cooling properly.

find what the engine temp is,,see if gauge is correct,,go from there..dpc

First of all, thanks to all for your help and advice. My neighbor down the street was parting out a 68' C-30 Longhorn with a factory 396. I pulled the radiator (man what a big bad boy)four core heavy duty. I bolted it in my C-10 and now its running 180! Whew I guess it was the radiator but... I still don't buy the fact it was the radiator. I should let it go and be happy that problem solved.

Oh sorry but forgot to ask, do 292's tend to run hot anyway?

http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=011597

distilled water is corrosive.
Ion exchanged water is not more corrosive.
50/50 glycol antifreeze is still the best coolant.

Chester,

Most car companies and radiator/heater core manufacturers recommend distilled water as the mix with the anti-freeze. How could it be corrosive in this application? :confused:

Stuart

How about your thermostat? When I first bought my truck, I put in the lowest thermostat the parts store had (opens at 160) for a temporary fix.

Now that I replaced the pump and corrected the timing, it runs UP TO 210. I thnk it should be at 180.

My problem, is that the thermostat might open too soon and not give the water in the radiator a chance to cool down.

So... maybe you have the wrong thermostat also?

Atomarc,

Distilled water is corrosive. Since there are no ions in the water, the water will "grab" ions from the surrounding material in order to reach a more balanced state. The reason a radiator company might recommend using distilled water MIXED with antifreeze is to eliminate any possible interaction between the antifreeze and dissolved ions in the water. The action of adding the antifreeze with all of its additives, including corrosion inhibitors, eliminates the natural corrosivity of distilled 100% pure water.

In short, distilled water isn't corrosive mixed with antifreeze, but it is corrosive in itself.

Lumbergh,

Thank you. Interesting information.


Stuart