What's "Be Cool?" And thanks for your help.

 

BeCool.com Custom and direct fit radiators etc. Also a shroud for the fan would help.

 

Thanks! And I think you're right with the shroud, but I'm using an electric fan right now.

 

I'm also running electric fans.Originally I made a cardboard template for a shroud and had it created in aluminum. I now have dual fans that came with a shroud. I did a lot of research and found a setup that would adapt to my radiator.

 

I have a very similarly built engine, from the sounds of it. Mine runs between 195 and 205 on the trail, meaning crawling, going very slow. I have a dual 12" fan on an aluminum high flow radiator that measures 26" x 18".
Is the temp sending unit in the stock location, front of the block passenger side of the water pump?

 

Sorry guys the week got busy and haven't had time to test drive it to see if it will remain under 220 now with the small changes I've made.
Yah, the temp sending unit is in stock location.

 

I'm having the same issue with my freshly rebuilt 400. Like yours, I have a slightly more aggressive cam, & 4BBL Holley carb. I also have a brand new aluminium radiator:
CC433
Mine heats up past 220 quite quickly just idling. I had the timing set at 12* static & was running without vacuum advance hooked up. I'm thinking mine's a timing issue, simply because I've eliminated everything else.

 

With any aftermarket cam, the engine wants more initial ignition timing. Bump it up to ~ 16* BTDC and go from there....I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

And, hook up yer vacuum advance being sure the breaker plate moves freely and wires therein are not brittle.

 

I think you need the manifold vacuum connected to your vacuum advance. I run 13 initial plus 10 vacuum and 25 mechanical. You don't have enough at idle.

I have about 435 hp and my electric fans hardly ever come on so far this summer without the A/C

 

Got to test drive a little bit yesterday after hooking up my vac advance hose to the distributor and putting the correct t-stat back in. Running at about 210-215 now, but will need to idle in traffic a little more to see f it's consistent or not.
Planning on installing an aluminum radiator soon, and seeing Champion has a 3-row for under $250.

 

My 460 with an Edelbrock cam runs right on 190 on the warmest days. If you are at 210-215 then you have something wrong. I'd start with the radiator.

 

My thermostat is the correct one with the little flared end ont the bottom, and is rated at 190 degrees. So if I stay with that one I think it's always going to run 195-210. But I'm hoping an aluminum radiator will keep it there instead of 220-225 like before.

 

As long as you are running the right water pump, meaning you don't have a serpentine system on and are spinning the pump backwards, I think the radiator will do the trick.

 

Well I drove it to and from work last night and it never puked. Running consistent 210-215 still, so I'm pretty optimistic about the aluminum radiator I'll be getting next month. Keep your fingers crossed and thanks for all the help guys!
Greaser Bob

 

Should make a huge difference.