Overheating

[Charlie]

The belt may have been bad/old and just broke. IMO.....I would go with 180 thermostat, go with stock style fan with clutch and not use flex fan. Other than electric fan setup, there are videos on youtube that prove fan clutch is better cooling than flex, or at least more hp. Also, I have read of flex fans breaking and pieces being thrown from them. If you are working on a running engine, can cause cause injury.

 

[thatbluek10]

The other thermostat I put in there was one I had sitting in another engine so I haven't tried a new thermostat,the gauge was pretty much all the way up when the belt broke but it didn't physically over heat there wasn't any steam and I couldn't hear the coolant boiling but it was definitely hot,I'll try throwing a normal fan on it and I'll try a 180 thermostat

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[436'd skylark]

It's not going to steam if the water pump isn't turning. What you had happen is about worst case scenario. I'd be surprised if you get out of it with it replacing head gaskets or a cracked head.

 

[73c20jim]

It's not going to steam if the water pump isn't turning. What you had happen is about worst case scenario. I'd be surprised if you get out of it with it replacing head gaskets or a cracked head.

Ouch!

 

[75gmck25]

If you are going to change thermostats, use a 195 degree, just like GM recommended when your engine was built. Using a 195 will not make an engine overheat - a bad water pump, fan or radiator will make it overheat. 195 degrees is also a much more efficient temp for combustion and overall fuel mileage. Its better for your engine.

Bruce

 

[Southcoast85]

You might also check your radiator hoses especially the lower one. They may collapse when hot and shut off water flow.

 

[Cuba]

Or a bad radiator cap. If it doesn't hold pressure to 15 or 16 lbs, it's more prone to overheating as well. The higher the pressure, the higher the boiling point. So instead of overheating at 212F... it now jumps to 240F or 260F before boiling and overheating

 

[Goldie Driver]

If you are going to change thermostats, use a 195 degree, just like GM recommended when your engine was built. Using a 195 will not make an engine overheat - a bad water pump, fan or radiator will make it overheat. 195 degrees is also a much more efficient temp for combustion and overall fuel mileage. Its better for your engine.

Bruce

I like this theory, but ...
What about all the '77 and prior that ran a
180 stat ?
My understanding was that 195 is an emissions stat.
I will happily go buy and install one if this is for real.
I am sure the old 195 (marked) was crap as it would run cooler in traffic than down the road.
The new Murray ( I think - O'Reilly 's) acts normal.

My gas mileage is crap - can't say it is really worse since it is a QJet powered square with 170HP new , 33's, and factory 3.42's.

But, I would be willing to try - 2 bolts , a gasket, and some antifreeze.

Britt

 

[WHEELMAN]

I never ever seen where there was anything wrong with 160 cooler.oil last longer.i knew a guy that had a built 350 and he could hit the pedal and the power would show the built off.i got him to change to a gates belt.it stayed on.if the engine did not cut right off.you could of cracked a head.blew a head gasket.what comes out the exhaust.when the engine is cold.

One side could blow out.oil smoke.like blue.look for water in the oil.or oil in the water.

 

[75gmck25]

I looked up the thermostat listing for a '73 C10 - the OE (original equipment) listing for an SBC 350 was a 195 degree thermostat. AFAIK Chevy never spec'd a lower than a 195 degree thermostat for the SBC in a squarebody. It has no relationship to adding emissions equipment.

Running an engine at 160 will promote the build-up of sludge, and combustion efficiency will be lower than running at 195. Run whatever you like, but its not helping your engine or improving performance.

And if your engine is going to overheat with a 195 degree thermostat, it will also overheat with a 160 degree, since the thermostat only sets the minimum temp for opening. Once they are both open, the water flow and cooling is identical.

Bruce