460 ci - What is too HOT!

[88GTStreetRod]

I had my car out tonight and got stuck in traffic with it for the
first time. It started in the drive thru at the bank and then sat
thru a couple of lights at an intersection. My car's temp jumped up
to 230-240 degress. In the past I have driven the car and have been
always moving or driving in normal traffic condidtions. The car
runs 180 degrees under normal cruising and will bump up to about 200
degress in normal traffic conditions.

I have a 4 core aluminum radiator and two black majic fans. The
fans run when the car is on but they do not run once the car is
off. I was concerned with the rise in temp (Aluminum Heads). What
does everyone usually run? IS 230-240 normal for a 460?

 

[408stroker5.0]

I woudn't be running 230-240....Those kind of temps are basically considered over heating and are not the greatest for an engine...especially with aluminum heads. Myself personally....In traffic I like to keep my 408 running below 195-200 at all times and I would recomend you do the same with your 460. I'm running a Be Cool rad with a SPAL shrouded dual fan assy. and a 160 thermostat and she usually hang's around 185-190 in traffic and 175-180 on the highway which is right were I like it. In your case insure your fan assy. is fully shrouded around the rad as it helps the cooling effect, I would also recomend a 160 thermostat if you don't already have one in there. Big Block's make alot of heat so your going to encounter problem's no doubt, but if you see temps in that area again I would shut her down and let her cool off. It's not hard to wire your fans using a switch to manually turn your fans on or off when the engine is shut off.
What are you curently using for a Tsat and water pump??

Shon

 

[88GTStreetRod]

I am not sure what the what the Tsat is, I think it is 180 by the way the car has ran previously. I use a Edelbrock high flow water pump. This is the first it has creeped up that high usually it will maybe get to 200 in traffic, but I am never sitting that long. last night I really was not sitting that long, but I went thru an area that had speed bumps and drove about 10-15 mph for about 5 minutes. The fans are on the entire time the engine is on

 

[Michael Yount]

Sounds like your fans aren't moving enough air across the radiator to keep the big block cool at low speed for an extended time.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

In your case insure your fan assy. is fully shrouded around the rad as it helps the cooling effect,

Good call. You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've seen people buy a generic electric fan set up, with no shroud and have overheating problems only to have it cured buy channelling it into a proper shroud.

I wonder also if there might be a smaller diameter water pump pulley he might use. Spinning the Edlebrock waterpump a little quicker in slow traffic might help things out. What's the car idle at?

 

[giddyup306]

230* and over is too hot for my liking.

 

[88GTStreetRod]

You know, I may try bumping up the idle.

 

[88GTStreetRod]

I can bump it up to around 1000, it idles at 500-800 rpm

 

[cola8d8]

Sounds dumb but... double check to make sure the fans are blowing the correct way.

 

[88GTStreetRod]

Yah , I checked last night. They are blowing the right way. I think if I raise the idle, it may take car of some of the issues. I can't believe I did not think about that before (Thanks Gearbanger). I have two black majic fans blowing around 1800-2000 CFM each, that should take care of business.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Keep us updated.

 

[deftsound]

damn a 460...i bet that thing burns some tires, hey is there any way you could post an audio clip of your 460 running? Im just dyin to know what a 460 sounds like in a stang

 

[88GTStreetRod]

ya, no problem, I will try to get some this weekend. It's actually a 466 with Aluminum cobra jet heads and a 614 lift cam, sounds pretty healthy

 

[dastang2]

are you running lean or have the timing too out of adjustment. my .060 over 302 ran 230 all the time, it got to 290 before when it overheated because of a belt and still not cracked block,heads or gaskets.

 

[88GTStreetRod]

No, not running lean, actually a little rich. The timing is at 36 degrees total timing.

 

[deftsound]

cool i cant wait to hear it, that thing is mean lookin!

 

[SmockDoiley]

Have you done anything to it that would cause it to start running hot, like racing too much or something that could have screwed up a head gasket maybe. Also, try pulling out the T-stat and running it like that to see if it makes a diff. Other than that, it sounds like weak fans because your entire cooling system is pretty beefy. If that stuff cant keep the car cool, then nothing could, lol. Also, try burping the cooling system.

 

[88GTStreetRod]

I tried bumping up the idle and it helped a little, as long as I am moving and sit thru a regular traffic light the car is fine. But if I had to sit for 3-5 minutes, the temp starts to rise. I have two fans approximately 12 inches a piece. Does any one know of a electric fan set up that will pull 4000-5000 CFM of Air?

 

[Idwitheld-1`]

Is it possible your moving your fluid through the radiator too quickly?

Maybe you could pinch off the lower hose a bit and check it out?

 

[88GTStreetRod]

I really think I need to move more air thru the radiator. Problem is, I have 3 inched between the radiator and the water pump. I need something powerfull and slender to cool it. Anyone know of anything?