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Overheating 383

RedBeard

RedBeard

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I have a 67 Charger 383 HP and it keeps overheating. I have flushed the radiator with Prestone radiator flush, changed out my thermostat to a new 180 and then again to a 160, pulled the pump and is fine, and checked the hoses for blockage. Thinking now that maybe my radiator needs to be replaced or redone. Reason: I was reading the 67 manual and it says the 383 is suppose to take 17 qts of coolant (4 gallons+)...??? is this correct? When I have drained the radiator I only get about 2 gallons of coolant. Any ideas anyone?
 
That's about right for a radiator drain and fill, service manual spec is most likely total capacity including engine block ...
When is this running hot ? Sitting still, going down the road, etc....
 
K. Thought maybe the radiator was full of crap. Both.
 
Your block may be plugged! There's a bolt on each side of the motor down near the bottom, pull those plugs and take a screwdriver or something and dig that crap out. Then report back. Good Luck
 
Will check that out this afternoon and get back. Thanks!
 
Is there a spring inside the lower rad. hose?Could be collapsing
 
I'm betting on a plugged up radiator....BUT, I'd suggest
1. Not cooling at idle --> make sure fan clutch (if you have one) only allows you to spin the fan blade about 1/4 turn by hand. Make sure the fan belt is tight. Make sure the fan shroud is in place & reasonably well sealed to the radiator.
2. Not cooling driving down the road --> I'd first take a can of engine degreaser & hose down the outside of the radiator in a u-spray-it car wash & use the power washer to rinse the dirt/grease off the outside of the radiator....back to front is preferred, but do whatever it takes to get it clean.

If 1 & 2 don't do the trick, then replace, re-core or rod out that radiator...my 2-cents.
 
what kind off fan , I'm running a flex fan , cools great n hottest of days and did not get around to put a shroud yet
like Pbeeper said wash off the front of it
if the radiator is blocked by guck the fan will pull air from around it and not through it.
more details on when it gets hot would be easier to point you in the good direction
 
Good information posted here, if you're running a clutch fan, verify it's actually adjusted. Some adjust via spring and others with a plunger system. Let us know what you have? (Spring on front of clutch or flat plate). Remember, the temperature that it begins to lock-up has nothing to do with your engine coolant temp and everything to do with the heat being radiated off and pulled from the radiator core and engine block.

Thermostat regulates the lowest engine operating temperature. If the coolant is cooler, you're once again, going to want to verify that the clutch fan is adjusted accordingly to match that. They work very well but must be adjusted.

If you have time, drill an 1/8" (or slightly smaller) hole in the thermostat to allow air to escape.

Think of it this way, thermostat regulates minimum operating temperature and the fan regulates the maximum operating temperature.
 
Yea, thought about using a flex fan. Started looking for the side plugs, had to pu my daughter before I could finish. Will try and crawl under later this week after I get my boats off their lifts. Time to get ready for winter.
 
Sweet5ltr said:
Good information posted here, if you're running a clutch fan, verify it's actually adjusted. Some adjust via spring and others with a plunger system. Let us know what you have? (Spring on front of clutch or flat plate). Remember, the temperature that it begins to lock-up has nothing to do with your engine coolant temp and everything to do with the heat being radiated off and pulled from the radiator core and engine block.

Thermostat regulates the lowest engine operating temperature. If the coolant is cooler, you're once again, going to want to verify that the clutch fan is adjusted accordingly to match that. They work very well but must be adjusted.

If you have time, drill an 1/8" (or slightly smaller) hole in the thermostat to allow air to escape.

Think of it this way, thermostat regulates minimum operating temperature and the fan regulates the maximum operating temperature.
Click to expand...
One can also push the plunger down and off to the side to open the thermostat.
 
69a100 said:
Your block may be plugged! There's a bolt on each side of the motor down near the bottom, pull those plugs and take a screwdriver or something and dig that crap out. Then report back. Good Luck
Click to expand...
Do you happen to have a pict of them? Kinda fighting around headers to locate them.
 
About 1/3 back from timing cover & 2-3” up from oil pan rail.
 
Been a long time, I think between 1st&2nd freeze plugs; but closer to pan rail. Pretty close to rear of mtr mount.
 
Found a pict online. That it between the two plugs?

383 Blue Block.jpg
 
Just one more thing to look at, are you able to pressure test your radiator cap?
 
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