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#988467 11/24/2013 6:23 PM
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Am running my 49 with a 350. Does anyone know the temperate that this motor needs to run at.

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Riding in the Passing Lane
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Use a 180 degree therm.


They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing.
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SEA DOG #988543 11/25/2013 12:43 AM
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Ok thank u

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'Bolter
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It depends what thermostat you have, and on the rest of your cooling system.

There's not really a temperature it "needs to" run at, but as long as you keep it below 210 on the hottest summer day you're doing well. If it runs somewhere at 160-180 on the highway on a typical day that's perfect.


1946 GMC Pickup - S-10 Frame, 455 Buick, TH400, original patina.

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Cruising in the Passing Lane
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further thoughts to consider: the thermostat determines the minimum temp the system maintains, but a 350 is very unlikely to ever run lower than 180, probably more like 190-195, but that's with a 15 lb pressure cap, which is a bit much for the original rad even if it's in perfect condition ... you need to use at least a 7# cap, and it'd be a good idea to rig an overflow system as well

Bill


Moved over to the Passing Lane

"When we tug a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world" ~ John Muir
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I run an 8-71blower on a 383ci in my '65 c-10. With the stock radiator, perma cool electric fan and 180 thermostat. Hottest my truck gets is 190. I also use purple ice by royal purple. It's an additive for antifreeze. The fan is 3000cfm and is on a temp relay with the thermostat. Cools after the engine is off to 180. You want to be around 175-190 I think. And if you're gonna cruise make sure it goes through a heat cycle. Get the condensation out of the oil pan and everything.


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'Bolter
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Originally Posted by red58
further thoughts to consider: the thermostat determines the minimum temp the system maintains, but a 350 is very unlikely to ever run lower than 180, probably more like 190-195, but that's with a 15 lb pressure cap, which is a bit much for the original rad even if it's in perfect condition ... you need to use at least a 7# cap, and it'd be a good idea to rig an overflow system as well

Bill

I know several guys with SBC powered hot rods that run well below 180.


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What temp does yours run at 46gmcpu? Mine stays around 185 with an outside temp of 80-85.


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The warmer the engine the more efficient it is. My preference is to have a engine at least 180. All new cars come with a 195 thermostat in them. There can be more factors besides the thermostat that affect the operating temperature of an engine.

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'Bolter
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I don't run a SBC in my truck so it's off-topic to talk about that here. I have SBC's in 2 other vehicles that both run at good temperatures, in the 180-200 range. I know several people that have trouble getting their SBC's above 150-160, it all depends on the cooling system setup and all.


1946 GMC Pickup - S-10 Frame, 455 Buick, TH400, original patina.

My 46 GMC on Photobucket
SEA DOG #989198 11/27/2013 10:11 PM
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Watch these thermostats. About half of the new ones are not any good. If the temp. does not seem right, try another one.


They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing.
1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne Super
In the Gallery Forum

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