Here’s the latest reader question, along with my reply!
Dirk asks: Do those 454s Run Hot? I am used to Ford’s 460 and about 180 -190 deg. I came back from other side of the state (Idaho) with 3500 and horse trailer, and it ranged from 200-235 deg ….if gauge is to be believed. Was about 88 deg ambient temp. I have 180 deg thermostat, newer radiator in it also. What do you think?
My reply: Big block Chevys do have a rep for running on the warm side; at least they did back in the day (’60s and ’70s). The 455 in my old Pontiac also had a rep for running hot. 235 degrees – per your question – is on the verge of overheating and this isn’t just bad for your engine. Your automatic transmission’s cooler is in the radiator and if the engine is running hot, your transmission probably is, too – unless you have an auxiliary/external trans fluid cooler. I would consider installing a transmissions fluid temp gauge to know whether it is or is not running hot. Transmissions are expensive.
If your engine is regularly exceeding 220 I would say you have a cooling problem. You may need a larger/heavier-duty radiator (installed one in my Trans-Am). But first, make sure the fan clutch is operating correctly and the shroud around the radiator is tight. It’s also a good idea to check the ignition timing; if it’s off that could cause the engine to run hot, too.
A final thing to check is the gauge itself and the sending unit. One way to do this without wrenching on anything is to use a hand-held thermal gauge to see what the temp of the radiator is and compare with the gauge reading.
Hope this helps!
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Not sure if this applies but I’ve found that a lot of aftermarket electric fans are not even as good as a stock fan in good condition. Chinese fans are awful, producing mainly noise.
Had a similar problem with my Olds 455. It turned out to be a rusted out heat riser.