I have a mild 340 build. Stock bottom end, 30 over, Hughes whiplash cam, Eddie heads and a Summit knock-off Air-Gap intake, FAST EFI. It runs hot, 215-225 degrees. Last fall I tried multiple thermostats. Currently have a high flow 180 degree in it. Running CVF Wraptor serpentine system. Way big BeCool radiator. Radiator and 2 Spal 1522 fans, the radiator is doing the job, heat temp gun shows that. My question, I don't remember which head gasket I used, would have been a Fel-Pro though, is there a difference in the head gaskets orientation? Front to back? I am about ready to start tearing apart the engine to look for a problem, intake first.
If it runs hot below ~30 mph, and as you say, "the rad is doing it's job" (with the spalls); then the gauge must be wrong.
If it runs hot above ~30mph, and as you say, "the rad is doing it's job"(with the spalls); then yur not getting ram air thru it.
If it runs hot at idle, and as you say, "the rad is doing it's job"(with the spalls); then obviously it's not.
>The common thread here is "the rad is doing it's job", SO,
what's your definition of, "the rad is doing it's job?"
My engine build is or has been,
much like yours except an 11/1 360-4spd. In the beginning it did run hot. It would lock up every time I shut it off, and sometimes, I'd have to wait 20 minutes with the hood open, before it would crank again. and, it seemed to be a lil down on power, and hard on gas.
The engine had been set up with hypereutectics at .0035, and cast rings, at a ring factor of .0065 per KB's instructions.
Well, after spending the entire summer chasing it down, spending a ton of money, I was right where you now are. So,
that first winter, I pulled the engine out and down. I sent the block out to be honed a lil looser, bought some Moly file-fit rings and a tool.
I opened the top rings to .0085 factor (.034),
and the Seconds to .0075 factor (.030),
up from all at .0065 factor(.026)..
That cured it.
Around 2004, I installed a NEW HD FORD Thermostatic Clutch, listed for a Pick-up,
>Here's my definition of, "the rad is doing it's job";
My cooling system will NOT go above 207*F;
no matter the outside temp, and
no matter the speed she's driving, and
no matter the Idle-timing,
and, my rad is a factory 26" A/C unit from 1973 Dart 318 A/T, which, in 1999, already had patches on patches, and she's set into a stock slanty core-support with a 19"opening.
Now,
you may think my ring gaps are excessive.
To that I respond, well; Leak-Down was very low on my gauge; Or,
You might think that A/C fan must really suck power;
To which I respond; come'on, it's on a clutch!
FOUR years later, the car went 93mph in the Eighth;
at 3457 pounds/900ft elevation/on a Hot July day. The Wallace calculator says this takes 433hp; so
Ask me if I care how much power that fan sucks ....
Here is a list of mods I did prior to the ring-gaps change;
>Pure water, with a Hi-Flow Pump and stat,
>Molded hoses, with a restricted bypass,
>Rad sealed to core support and front of hood, rear of hood elevated and seal removed,
>A really Big, hi attack angle, 7-blade, all steel fan, with up-turned tips, in a matching shroud,
>Fresh cold air from outside the Engine-compartment fed directly to a boxed carb,
>I even ventilated my hood.
> chassis loosened to roll easy.
> NONE OF THE ABOVE made much of an improvement.
Just so you know;
1) since then, my pump and alternator are now underdriven, for two reasons;
a) I run a manual trans, so, the rpm is always up, and
b) since I like to rev to 7200, just cuz it sounds so wild; I like the old belt to stay on.
2) I now run a 195stat, up from 160,
3) when I parade, I retard the timing to 5*, at which, the 360 pulls itself along at 4mph= 550 rpm, smooth as silk, and, to date, it has always run a solid 207*F. It has to, cuz that big fan really works.
4) I now run an overdrive and 65=2240. I run this at about 50* advance, cuz that's what she wants at 207*F, while running as lean as I dare.
5) BEFORE I had overdrive, 65=2870, and she liked 56*. There were times, she was liking over 60*.
To get these numbers, I installed a dash-mounted, dial-back, Timing Module with a range of 15 degrees. The trick is to remember to dial it back, when I come off the hiway....... lol.
Your results may vary.
PS,
I'm not telling what you should do.
I'm informing you of what I already did, and what worked.
Happy HotRodding