cooling in the south?

[WORNBRAKES]

How in the he!! do those of you that live in the south keep your truck running cool? Today was the hotest day in 4 years here in the north west and the beast was running a little hot. I am moving to Flordia in about 5 weeks and I am curious on how your trucks run down there.

[mikep]

I'm not exactly in the south but I am right across the water from you. We hit 92 degrees today and my truck has NEVER gone over 180 including today. I use a 180 thermostat, a 4 core big block/air conditioning radiator and a long water pump with a stainless flex fan with 2 inch spacer and big block shroud. I also use a green industrial wide fan belt with a moroso 4 inch alternator pulley so I dont throw belts at hi rpm.

[70cst10]

I'm from South Carolina. We hit 96 today, but my truck never gets over 160. It's probably the 4 core radiator cooling the little 250.

[runx68SWB]

i had gotten used to running 180 to 185 degrees but since installing this new engine i run right at 200.... sometimes 205 while idling at a darn stoplight.... i dont like this temp but the engine seems to like it.... i did install underdrive pulleys but also installed an edelbrock aluminum high flow water pump and a be cool large tube aluminum radiator.... you might not think so but we are in the upper 90s here in colorado during the summertime

[WORNBRAKES]

I have been thinking of installing an eletc fan in front if the radiator on a switch. Use it to give added cooling when it is needed but not all the time. Does the fan shroud help? I have one but it is not in the truck. I like it a little dangerous under there. lol Im not sure of the thermostat b/c I have never had to look at it. Maby it is time. I plan to replace all hoses and belts anyway to be safe on the journey. Do you think the added fan would help or be a waste of money? Has anyone done this?
Thanks,
Mario

[WORNBRAKES]

Hey runx68swb, are you going to make to the anual car show down there this year? I lived in Colo Spgs for 5 years and didn't miss one.

[fnoblitt]

i run a 4 row bigblock radiator, flowkooler water pump (you can get one from summit racing),hd clutch fan,and a can of water wetter from moroso.,and a 180 thermostat with 3 #10 holes drilled on each side of it! it gets over a 100+in southern calif. and i belive in overkill !!

[runx68SWB]

you betcha.... have caught the rocky mountain street rod nationals for a few years now.... i cant wait.... certainly one of the high points of the summer around here.... gotta love seeing all those great rides cruising around.... i only live about 3 blocks away from where its held at the colorado state fair as well.... pretty neat

[chevyman 68 C/10]

A 4 core rad. is a must with air or pulling. I like them anyway, just extra insurance. Before you spend money on the electric fan install the shroud and a clutch fan with heavy duty clutch and at least 6 blade fan. I live in texas it just doesn't get any hotter than here. I can sit in trafic and idle with the air going without even heating up at all.

[1-PU70]

I have a 402 and It stays at 180 all the time even with the air on and towing here if Florida. I use a stock 180 thermastat, 4 core rad, thermal clutch fan with stock shroud, Edalbrock alum water pump, Trans cooler. and a 50/50 antifreeze.

[Longhorn Man]

Normaly cooling trouble can be traced to 2 problems.
If it is a low speed overheat, you are not flowing enough air.
installing the shroud shouls help alot, but hinestly, I have never run one on mine, and never had a single problem. (even when I lived in Tx)
If it is a high speet problem, you are not getting teh coolant flow needed.
normall cause, bad pump, or an obstruction.
Granted, these two rules are not set in stone, but will normally get you in the right direction.
I have a hopped up small block, running a 3 core rad, a stock (10 year old) pump, a stock fan with new clutch, No shroud, and a 160 degree thermostat.
On a real bad day, I'll see 170...maybe 175. This is in Texas, as well as here in Ohio. I had towed like this, hauled like this, and idled for hrs in traffic. Never had a problem.
Well, there was the time on the freeway when I tossed a belt. I did see 260 degrees that day, but she lived...even the light casting (crack prone) 882 heads lived.

[RipMeyer]

Chevy claims MAX op temp with a 15lb rad cap is 247°
That seems a bit hot for my comfort. However mine runs at 220° at stop lights with the A/C on in 90° weather. No biggie I guess.

[busterwivell]

It was 105 in Tucson today. My 71 402 runs 190 all the time with 180 thermostat. I have the shroud on. I haven't fixed the air cond. I found out when I got the tach working, that I'm running 4:56ish gears. I'll put a 700R4 in and see what temp I run on the freeway, then get the ac workin'

[tom hand]

I live in Mississippi and I think you would have to move to Hell to get any hotter. I have a 350 with the stock setup for A/C and no problems. I run a 190 thermostat and it runs 190 as long as it is moving. If you get stuck in traffic and leave the air on I would think it could see 220 but no system will cool if your stopped with the air on in 95+ degree weather. IMO if it ain't pukeing coolant out the cap, it ain't overheating, no matter what the temp guage says.

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

1-pu70 has seen my truck, it's a 3/4 ton with 4.10 rear,t-350 with moroso cooler, 250 6cyl no ac, no power brakes,no power steering, no heater, no radio, a 2 core radiator, 4 blade fan and a broken shroud. I pull a 2300 pound trailer with a complete truck on it with no over heating problems in 95 degree temps BUT my timing and carb are dead on! Blew a top radiator hose last week towing a race truck to the Race Car Factory in Stewart Fl and had to fill the radiator with ditch water after I cut 3" out of the end. Maybe time to flush it. The man upstairs and I have had some great talks in the past 3 years!

[WORNBRAKES]

Well I am going to replace all my hoses and install the fan shroud. Maby while I have it apart I will insall a 6 bladed fan and a new thermostat. Maby a direct reading guage would nice vs the stock one?
Thanks for the ideas. Can't wait to experience that southern heat! lol

[Mixup]

Here in Nevada it's over 100 most of the summer. It will be 105 today. I have 4 core radiator, long water pump and shroud with a 180 thermosat and my truck never runs over 180.( My truck has no air.)

[woodrow59]

Mine has never overheated here in "Hotlanta"

The key is to only drive it the 2 miles back and forth to work !!!!!LOL

[greasemonkey]

Wornbrakes, welcome to FL when you get here.

[WORNBRAKES]

Thanks greasemonkey, Looks like you and I will be in the same town. I should be down there the first week of Aug if all goes well. Today I ended up changing all my hoses(they needed it), put in a new thermostat, flushed the radiator, installed the fan shroud I had laying around and installed a shinney new six bladed flex fan. It seemes to work a lot better, I can hear the fan flowing air. Kind of like the upgrade to a K&N air filter. You notice it right away. I don't think we will get another hot day here in the NW to truley see how it works. Thanks for all advice given. Now I need to convince the wife that I need a direct reading water temp gauge. lol

[Longhorn Man]

A word of caution...my parts store has one of those flex fans hanging behind the counter in plain sight...running down the freeway, 2800 RPM and the fan blew up. Ripped both hoses, cut the shroud, and cut right out the hood.
I've always heard these storys, but never seen the caranage.

[chevyman 68 C/10]

Longhorn is right a 6 or 7 blade clutch is quiet, dependable, and it worksto keep you cool.

[Desert Rat]

I live in Hell,other day 111 and it will get hotter,my truck can idle all day and not get hot,good cooling system,BB402 180thermostat,good water pump(not a autozone $10 one)always new belts/hoses,have fan shroud,with fan half in half out,id worried about it go buy a radiator for a 72 402 truck with AC,and check your belts/hoses,and make sure you have right water pump pulley,small one spin faster than large.

[D.PASSMORE]

again, welcome to florida, see that your going to north florida, well for us guys (and gals) in in the southern part of the state , we say it gets to cold to live up there. come on down to the real tropics,iam
sure there is a mud hole with a alligator calling your name( molly hatchet). if you need anything for your truck , just give
ed at mothertruckers a call, he will take care of you. hopfully we will see you in daytona .

[lukecp]

I'm not sure what degree the thermostat is on my truck, but with a 350, and a 2 core radiator it runs 190 all the time, idling or going 75 on the highway, with the outside temp at about 90 degrees. Actually, it i turn the engine off after it has been running for awhile, and get back in it after about 5 minutes, my mechanical temp guage reads about 200, even though the engine stopped running. Im guessing because it has no airflow when its parked, lol. It comes right back down to 190.