Buick 350 in regal not keeping cool

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by 1987Regal, Jun 20, 2013.

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  1. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    well forum this is whats up my regal has a 2 row Aluminum radiator with v8 fan shroud and a solid fan and 160 therm. At idle it could be better but on a 85 degree days its at 205-210 running 65-70 mph at 3000 RPM (3.42 gears TH350 trans). I had a 3 row copper/brass radiator which cool about the same. I have plans on switching to the dodge stratus dual electric fans,but I'm waiting for my alternator to show up. you guys think the dual fans will do the trick??? I have know idea which direction to go, Can you guys help?? Thanks Josh
     
    1987Regal, Jun 20, 2013
    #1
  2. D-Con

    D-Con Kills Rats and Mice

    You've got something else going on. Is there a spring inside the lower radiator hose to keep it from collapsing? Is your temp sender in the stock location? My 455 cools fine with a smaller 2-row alum radiator than you have and 350 pullies. Keep looking for a problem with what you have.
     
    D-Con, Jun 20, 2013
    #2
  3. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Might run cooler with a hotter thermostat
     
    CJay, Jun 20, 2013
    #3
  4. ceas350

    ceas350 "THE BURNER"

    I don't think running 3k RPMs non stop and having a temp high of 210 is a bad thing. but if your set on making it cooler then more air will benefit the system
     
    ceas350, Jun 20, 2013
    #4
  5. RIVI1379

    RIVI1379 Well-Known Member

    I'd have to agree, that really isn't hot in my opinion. and the rad you have is plenty for a 350. Drive on my friend....
     
    RIVI1379, Jun 20, 2013
    #5
  6. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    Far as where's the gauge I have it in the intake water port next the heater core Inlet/outlet ( which ever) and it is a mechanical gauge. Just being curious, what would you guys consider over heating or what is saft to run up to. I got regular green coolant either 50/50 OR 2/3 water, I'd have to test it. thanks Josh
     
    1987Regal, Jun 21, 2013
    #6
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    What is your ignition timing at your cruise RPM? Are you using the vacuum advance? I hope you aren't going to tell me you have the initial timing set at X degrees, and you don't know. If you want the best cooling, use 100% water and a bottle of water wetter. That is all you need as long as the temperature remains above freezing where you live.
     
    LARRY70GS, Jun 21, 2013
    #7
  8. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    I was thinking timing and maybe the clutch fan is shot.
     
    Briz, Jun 21, 2013
    #8
  9. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    no fan clutch, I had one on it but again with cooling i had changed it to a Summit street strip fan (steel center and Stainless fan blades). Timing-well I have to check because I just moved it at work (did this on my 10 min. break) 2 days ago because it would turn over slow then fire up when warm. I advanced it by ear. Call me a D.A. if you may. I have a hei Dist with med springs installed. How can I tell what timing is at cruising speed? wouldn't need to put it on a dyno? I have plans on doing this but before I drive the car Iowa City I wanted to install the dual fan setup. and I have not been able to do this because the 2 Alternator's I gotten from summit are the wrong bolt spread. Both were 6.6 center I needed a 7.24, they said to try a CS130 which I just got yesterday and I have to switch pulleys serp. to V-belt. Josh
     
    1987Regal, Jun 21, 2013
    #9
  10. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member


    If you know how to use a timing light, all you have to do is note what your cruising RPM is, rev the engine in neutral to that RPM, and read the timing. Not very hard at all. You want all your mechanical timing in at your cruising RPM, + 8-10* of vacuum advance for a total 40-44*. That will ensure the engine runs its coolest going down the highway and gets the best gas mileage. Setting your timing by ear is a bad idea. BTW, I don't call anyone a D.A.:grin:
     
    LARRY70GS, Jun 22, 2013
    #10
  11. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021



    ... a "TOO LEAN" Holley 750 w/vacuum secondaries had my Buick 455 running 220-245-degrees for almost 1 year ... till I changed to a Holley 850-DP.
    What type carburetor do you have on your 350?


    :Dou:
     
    STAGE-2 TORQUE, Jun 22, 2013
    #11
  12. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    I have a untuned in 750 with vaccum 2nds. I was b.s.ing with my brother last night while I was installing the fans. He's like "you got the AC working on this thing?" I replied "I had it on last sunday when it hit 210 degrees." I really didn't think much of it at the time, but the ac condenser would produce heat pushing it on to the radiator driving down the hwy. Timing wise I borrowed my dads and will try to check it Maybe tomorrow.
     
    1987Regal, Jun 22, 2013
    #12
  13. Bar50

    Bar50 Well-Known Member

    Try a 195* thermostat, allows water to stay in the radiator longer and cool better. Once the water in your system gets to 160* F now, the thermostat just stays open...no chance to fade heat via radiator. Besides they are cheap, a gasket and thermostat couldn't set you back more than $10.

    Clutch fan or electric, the rest rob horse power and come apart.

    Spring inside lower radiator hose?

    Have the lower air dam to catch air coming under the front of the car?
     
    Bar50, Jun 22, 2013
    #13
  14. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Sorry, I respectfully disagree. It doesn't matter what thermostat you use, the coolant will move through the radiator at the same speed once the stat begins to open. The engine can't run cooler if the stat won't let it. An engine with a 195 stat will usually run at about 200* if everything else is functioning properly. The temperature a stat is rated at is it's OPENING temperature. It begins to open at that temperature. It isn't fully open until 20* past that temperature. a 160* stat will be fully open at 180*, a 180, at 200, a 195, at 215*.
     
    LARRY70GS, Jun 23, 2013
    #14
  15. STAGE-2 TORQUE

    STAGE-2 TORQUE STAGE-1 Buick "494Stroker" in 2021

    Good morning. :TU:

    I must add that "The Wizard" told me this over 1 year ago ... once I STOPPED LISTENING to the "other guys" and had my vacuum advance installed and my timing corrected ... my ENGINE TEMPERATURE did DROP.


    :3gears:
     
    STAGE-2 TORQUE, Jun 23, 2013
    #15
  16. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    The hole gets smaller as the tempo rating goes up. In other words, a 195 stat has more of a restriction than a 160. So there is some validity to installing a hotter stat to make it run cooler.
     
    CJay, Jun 23, 2013
    #16
  17. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    If a 195 stat works correctly, it will never run cooler than 195. I've heard the "coolant stays longer in the radiator", but I just don't buy that. If your cooling system is up to snuff, and the ignition timing is correct, the engine will run right on the thermostat rating.
     
    LARRY70GS, Jun 23, 2013
    #17
  18. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Theoretically, wouldn't all you really need is a thin washer with a certain diameter hole in it? The size of the restriction would determine what temp the engine will run at. A thermostat is just there for faster warm ups.
     
    CJay, Jun 23, 2013
    #18
  19. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yes if conditions like load and ambient temperatures were constant, but they aren't. The thermostat varies the opening to deal with changing demand, and makes the engine come up to temperature quickly.

    Royden seemed surprised his new TA block build took so long to warm using no thermostat, he attributed that to E85:grin:

    http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?269006-E85-fuel-and-its-effects-on-engine-operating-temps

    Look at the new TA High Performance water pumps. They are made to move more fluid quicker to cool better.

    http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_1537BHP
     
    LARRY70GS, Jun 24, 2013
    #19
  20. 1987Regal

    1987Regal Well-Known Member

    Just a FYI the Aluminum radiator I'm using is a Champion 2 row and the more I think of it the Copper/brass 3 row cooled better. But I had that in the car last year so My memory is kinda faint on that. anyway what do you guys think of champion Radiators?
     
    1987Regal, Jun 25, 2013
    #20
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