New Engine High Temp

[mj2619]

Hello - I have a brand new blueprint 302 engine.

• Original gauge had it running around 225 with a standard 3 core copper radiator from Toms.
• We swapped out the radiator for an aluminum Tom's 4 core with a 16" electric fan but it's now running 240 according to the Dakota digital garage (new) as well as another gauge we tried to verify.
• With a thermal laser it's reading 195-200 degrees in the hoses.
• Thermostat is 180 degrees and water pump came with the engine standard rotation water pump.
• I am running a v-belt system from CVF.
• Any idea what's causing the engine itself to be so hot?

Thank you for the help!

Michael

 

[SLOWnEASY]

Do you have a link to the electric fan you are running? If you target the thermal laser at the thermostat housing or the coolant temp sending unit does the temperature reading match what the Dakota says?
It's a pain in the rear, but do you still have all the parts that were removed for this swap? You might have to try putting old parts back on until the temp goes back to 225. Or an even bigger question, are you sure that the original 225 was an accurate temperature to start with?

 

[Chiclassics]

I suspect your thermostat is not working. Can you see/feel coolant moving through? 190 is your ideal goal..you don/t even want 225. And what coolant are you using? is it clean after you ran the motor. What engine oil did you put in for break-in.

 

[mj2619]

I suspect your thermostat is not working. Can you see/feel coolant moving through? 190 is your ideal goal..you don/t even want 225. And what coolant are you using? is it clean after you ran the motor. What engine oil did you put in for break-in.

Thank you. We tried two different ones same issue. Coolant is moving through. Coolant is clean - even flushed it twice.

 

[Johnnyb]

I had a similar problem, turns out I accidentally swapped the Dakota Digital sender with the ProFlo4 sender (same plug). Engine was showing up to 230, but actually running at 190. Swapped plugs back and now all is good.

-JB

 

[Chiclassics]

Any update on this @mj2619

 

[mj2619]

Any update on this @mj2619

Just needs a bigger fan. Will need to get a new v-belt set up. For now running okay. Thank you all for the support!

 

[mj2619]

So I got a new fan in but it's 2800 and I need a 3000 or greater. Problem is I can't fit anything better. I have a V-Belt set up from CVF. Anyone have any suggestions to a belt system to get a bigger radiator? Temp is fine when it's cool (180-195)), but if it's 70 degrees or above spikes to 225 in traffic. Thank you!

 

[ntsqd]

Just out of curiosity what is your Air/Fuel Ratio?

Why an Electric fan, why not a Mechanical (clutch?) fan?

 

[Soylent]

That fan and its small shroud only cover about a third of that radiator. Maybe part of your issue.

 

[nvrstuk]

What Soylent said above.

Here is the key to your problem as you mentioned and I quote... "... but if it's 70 degrees or above spikes to 225 in traffic. Thank you!" Unquote.

Soylent mentioned that the fan is covering appr 1/3 of your rad. EVEN if the fan was any good the problem you are seeing is that not enough air flows thru your radiator. You said it yourself that it's worse in traffic. Why is it worse in traffic? Because your fan has to move all the air thru your radiator in traffic as you sit half the time. IF YOU ARE DRIVING then the air is being forced thru your radiator like a good fan with a good shroud would do... it would FORCE air thru the radiator even in traffic. Your radiator doesn't get ANY air thru approx 2/3 of it when you are sitting in traffic or barely creeping.

This comes up ALL the time here and on FB/social media.

You need an EXCELLENT fan with a shroud that actually FORCES the air to flow thru the radiator because the fan is pulling it thru.

Late model cars have some great electric PWM fans in them. MB, some late model Camaro's etc. You can't cool even a small V8 in a small engine compartment that lacks decent air flow with a crappy fan and NO shroud to direct air thru the crappy fan. Sorry, but that fan is not worth the time and energy to try to make your problem go away. I believe Derale has a decent PWM fan w/controller that works well now but I'd still use an OEM over any aftermarket as OEM has to work for millions of cars cruising millions of miles.

Sorry if I sound direct but this is your problem unless you just have some tstat or waterpump or some other mechanical part that isn't working properly. The ratings on aftermarket fans has no real standard. 2800-3000 means nothing really.

 

[Broncobowsher]

That fan and its small shroud only cover about a third of that radiator. Maybe part of your issue.

More than part of your issue. It is most, if not all, of your issue..
The fan is moving a lot of air, but only over a tiny bit of the core. The hot engine bay air then moves forward through the core not covered by the fan only to get sucked through the fan again. Cooling performance wise, it is as if you covered the radiator with a piece of cardboard except for the little bit that the fan pulls through.

If I saw that engine compartment with no background behind it, I would be calling out idle overheat issues from that fan and lack of proper shrouding.

 

[mj2619]

Super helpful thank you! Should I put the transmission cooler on the frame or get one with a fan too? Seems like that is also blocking airflow.

 

[toddz69]

Super helpful thank you! Should I put the transmission cooler on the frame or get one with a fan too? Seems like that is also blocking airflow.

That looks like an AC condenser, not a transmission cooler. I'd keep it where it is and focus on a good fan/shroud for the radiator first.

Todd Z.

 

[toddz69]

Someone mentioned this kit recently - it's a PWM fan like @nvrstuk mentions, covers the entire surface of the radiator and has proper shrouding that @Broncobowsher recommends. No experience with it personally but Spal builds good fans and Vintage Air has a good reputation.

https://vintageair.com/monster-1966-77-bronco-19-inch-850w-customfit-brushless-fan-kit/

Todd Z.

 

[mj2619]

Thank you!

 

[nvrstuk]

Condensors & trans coolers look like they block air but look at all modern cars with great fan/shroud issues... the fan pulls air right thru them all. Often you see 2 coolers in front of the radiator w/o issue.

Enjoy, you'll be fine with the right set up.

 

[Broncobowsher]

With a good fan shroud and proper airflow, the front mount transmission cooler is just fine.

 

[ba123]

I have this one and love it.

https://deltapag.com/products/16-brushless-fan-kit-2

I have a 195 thermostat and my engine loves to run at 205. Fan ALWAYS get my engine cool. I don't have room for a mechanical fan either with my engine moved forward.

It is a PWM fan and you can use their controller which you can order with the fan as a kit.

 

[wrenchbender]

Wild Horses has a front air dam with a built in tool tray SKU 4998, that others have used to help channel air for better cooling.