overheating

[Kyle]

I have an issue with my engine always getting hot when I'm crawling around in 4wd. I. Running a big 3 core rad, HV pump and HV stat. Cooling lines that run front to back of the intake and also from the pump directly to the heads. My dual electric fans aren't mounted directly to the rad but I can still feel the air getting pulled thru the grill of the truck. And I do know my timing is about 20 degrees advanced. The motor just won't cool down when its in idle, only when its running down the road. Any suggestions?

[D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F.]

A little more info on vehicle and motor might be helpful. Have you tried pulling your thermostat and seeing if it still does it.

[BIGBLOCKXJ]

You need more air flow.   Bigger FANS! 

[Kyle]

160 stat that was new. Has 12" fans. Can't get any bigger to fit. Its a 92 Chevy running a 400 sbc

[Kyle]

I've been told I should shroud the fans or retard the timing a little bit I just don't wanna waste my time on something that doesn't matter

[BIGBLOCKXJ]

Shroud will help,   NEED MORE AIR FLOW! 

[michigan maniac]

Shroud will help,   NEED MORE AIR FLOW! 

Yup a shroud helps airflow a lot

[Kyle]

The reason I didn't when I installed them is I could feel the air getting pulled thru the grille so I never thought anything of it or thought it mattered that much. I guess I will work on that then

[J.C.]

A shroud is your problem for sure. Get that on there and your problems should stop.

[MR NASTY]

A shroud makes it so the air gets pulled through the whole radiator instead of just in front of the fans. If your timing is of it will make it overheat as well

[paperman]

Another item to think about is if the engine has been apart and heads or gaskets repalced you may not have the steam holes drilled in the head or have the gasket covering them.  The 400 is a siamese cyclnder wall and steam holes are a must in order to keep it cool, if not you get local heating and can start cracking stuff.

[MR NASTY]

Get some of that be cool radiator additive also.

[BIGBLOCKXJ]

If the overheating problem goes away when he starts driving the vehicle, that shows the cooling system is working.  So.....the problem is a lack of airflow while the vehicle is not moving.

What to test it?  Go in the house and grab a big window fan, hook it up and see what happens!!

[Kyle]

The engine has been apart multiple times. They're dart heads and I had steam ports drilled and the gaskets have the holes in them.

I've also got additive in there too. I've looked at everything possible that I could do

And that's a good idea bigblockxj. Didn't think about putting just a box fan in front to see what happens.

Shroud does make sense. I think I just avoided it cuz it'd be a pain in the butt to make one fit the way they're set up in there and I haven't had that much time to do it

[MR NASTY]

What is your timing set at

[Kyle]

20 degrees. Full MSD setup minus the box cuz it died and I haven't had the money to replace it

[MR NASTY]

There's your problem. I'd set it to 30 all in by 3000rpm

[Kyle]

That's about where I used to run it