question for engine cooling experts

• Aug 25, 2021

• #1

Gray Ghost

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Still having high temp reading sitting in traffic. Wanted to check the gauge so I picked up one of the infrared guns but don't really know the place(s) I need to check. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Evan

 

• Aug 25, 2021

• #2

Charged440

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I checked the heads the water neck, and the radiator, top and bottom.

 

• Aug 25, 2021

• #3

YY1

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Right where the thermostat is.

...doesn't hurt to check those other places mentioned above.

Rad should be cooler at the bottom.

 

• Aug 25, 2021

• #4

R

R413

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Drive it around and leave it running and check temps.

Front of heads are the hottest on my BB mopar. Below the thermostat is close to that head temp. Radiator and hoses are cooler than both of the head and T stat area.

 

Last edited: Aug 25, 2021

• Aug 25, 2021

• #5

twecomm

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What others have said.. With your IR Gun, check temp at thermostat housing should be close to your thermostat temp rating. Check upper hose and lower hose, you should see a temp difference. If sitting in traffic on a hot day there will be a temp rise , but should come back to normal range after after a short period once you get moving at speed again. Fan shroud helps a lot as well.

 

• Aug 25, 2021

• #6

davek

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Evan is the engine built. engine size? shroud,clutch fan ? what is running hot 200/210? move info so we can help you.

 

• Aug 25, 2021

• #7

Gray Ghost

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Thanks for the replies...
Davek: engine is a stock 383, Champion 22" 2 row alum. rad., Ledfoot shroud, 7 blade fan with thermal clutch. Gauge has been reading 230+/- stuck in Georgia traffic but it cools right down to 190+/- on the road. Have checked the water pump at the thermostat and it's 10 degrees cooler than the gauge.

I'm using this image for the temp values on the unmarked lines on the gauge.

 

• Aug 25, 2021

• #8

Gray Ghost

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Actually the radiator is a 3 row...

 

• Aug 25, 2021

• #9

Cranky

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Gray Ghost said:

Actually the radiator is a 3 row...

Click to expand...

I like big tubes better than more. I have a single row large tube aluminum radiator in my 95 Dakota and it cools much better than the original 2 row copper/brass taking up the same space. Even when it only had 25k miles, the temp would come up sitting in traffic with the AC on. Now, nothing bothers it. Anyways, what is the opening temp of your T-stat and did you check it in hot water before installing it?

 

• Aug 25, 2021

• #10

diesel_lv

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As Cranky said above, larger oval tubes over more tubes. I have a 383/496 in Fort Mohave AZ, 125+ in the summer. 26" radiator, mechanical fan n factory shroud on 2 row aluminum radiator, each row 1.25". 180° t-stat. 174° on interstate, 195° in stop n go w a/c on. 222° sitting parked w a/c on for 10 minutes after a long drive. Here is the non marked gauge readings at 174°, 195° n 222° on my '67 Coronet. As has been mentioned many times here, check your crank and w/p pulley ratios. Also, check temp at the temp sending unit on top of w/p housing. That is where the temp is being takenfrom and where "the engineers" designed the temp to be taken from. Also attached is a pic of specific Mopar stats for cooling systems.

 

Last edited: Aug 25, 2021

• Aug 25, 2021

• #11

davek

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is your fan 2/3 out of the shroud? I know the feeling about high temp here in SC on my Bee. I bought a after market temp gauge my stock gauge was of 30 degrees. My Bee gets about 215ish but once moving it drops. 50/50 mix? Was the car running hot last year? Did you change anything lately ?