I've owned a wide variety of muscle.cars, from Mustangs to Camaros to Challengers without any significant overheating problems..My current ride has frustrated me for years. After several different engines, and engine combinations over the years, one thing remains the same. If I idle for more than a couple of minutes, the engine temp starts creeping up. Not sure where or when it may stop, but I tested the car today after driving home in stop and go traffic. After 10 minutes of idling in Park the temp was up to 220 and still climbing.
My current combination is a fresh mostly stock 340, Weiand intake and Holley 570 street avenger carb, stock manifolds with duel exhaust, a Milodon high volume water pump and matching thermostat, a new 3 core U S Radiator( in place of the stock 2 core ), and a 6 blade fixed fan to replace the sock 4 blade. I also installed a new electronic distributor, and the vacuum advance is installed and working.
I can't believe these cars behaved this way when new. If moving down the road, the temp stays in the 180-185 range.
It appears that the heat cannot get out of the engine compartment. I noticed today when sitting in traffic, that heat was coming out from under the car when my hand was out the window. You can see the heat radiating off the hood.
I am confident of the tune ( timing and jetting ), the car starts, idles and accelerates beautifully. I just can't trust it to be stuck in traffic too long.
I tried a couple of years ago a generic 10 inch electric fan mounted behind the radiator pulling. It did not cover the radiator completely. It seemed to slow the overheating problem down, but it did not cure it. I'm thinking as a last resort a better electric fan system to help get the heat out from under the hood.
I would appreciate any help or advice, as I am seriously thinking about selling the car. Larry
