Ron Davis Aluminum Fan Shroud

[greatguy57078]

I have a 351w bored .030 with aluminum heads and Holley Super Sniper EFI. It seems to be running just a little warmer than it did before I installed the aluminum heads and EFI.

I have a 195 thermostat in it, but it runs around 200-205. I am going to install the stainless steel air dams that bolt on above the radiator.

I am also considering installing a Ron Davis fan shroud to replace the aftermarket steel one that does not surround the fan as well as the RD shroud. I have a Champion radiator. Will the RD shroud fit this radiator?

Any other suggestions to get the temp down to 190-195?

 

[sykanr0ng]

200 to 205 is a good temperature for an EFI engine to run at, why obsess about dropping it ten degrees unnecessarily?

The thermostat temperature rating is not the temperature that the engine will run at but the temperature that it is fully open at.

 

[greatguy57078]

I guess I am more concerned that my gage doesn't seem to be accurate now that I have the hand held programmer to compare it to. I am just being cautious as we are heading to Deadwood in a few weeks and I want to be sure I don't have any issues. It looks like it maxed out around 205 driving 3 hours one way and 3 hours back home last weekend.

I appreciate any input. Thank you!

 

[DirtDonk]

Your higher heat may have more to do with the .030" overbore than with any of the bolt-on goodies. But you're saying that the factory gauge used to read the same as the programmer, but not any more? Or were they different before as well, but now it's just running hotter on both gauges?

Have you tried playing with the tune? Timing and fuel/air ratios can make a difference, and now that your engine is modified it will very likely prefer different parameters.

good luck!

Paul

 

[greatguy57078]

I did check the gage against the hand held controller that came with the Holley Super Sniper, and found that the gage is off quite a bit. When the gage is pegged at 230....the computer says it right around 195-200.

I also think that the gages have a bad ground...which is causing it to read incorrect. Even setting at idle I have not seen the computer read above 204.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I have a 460 with a Sniper in an F250. In the winter it will still run 203 at 50 MPH flat ground steady speed with the 192 Motorcraft thermostat. Your 205, that is where that thermostat wants to run. The thermostats don't hold an exact temp, but something around the number.

As been mentioned, 205 is perfectly fine for an EFI engine. You have normal operation.

 

[greatguy57078]

Thank you for your replies and advice. I feel alot better knowing that we will be OK as we have a 5 hour drive across state to Deadwood coming up soon.

 

[DirtDonk]

If it had been a FiTech unit instead of a Sniper I would have said the sending unit for the computer was suspect, as they had a large batch of those that actually read low. This kept the computer from knowing that the engine was warmed up and caused some running issues.
Fixed with a new sender.

In that case, the handheld readout would have been suspect and the factory gauge more believable. But in your case, you're probably good to go.
The modern GM trucks have gauges that actually read in degrees instead of just C and H and then a line in the middle where you hope it resides. The centerline where the needle hovers is actually 210° showing you again that these temperatures are quite acceptable.

As long as they don't keep creeping up that is!
Enjoy your trip.

Paul