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windmill bob · 10-01-2014, 10:53 PM

Pulling steep grades temp gets up to about 225 at times. Usually fan kicks in and drops to 210 or so. Also do let up on it when it gets hot.

I read where a bug screen can not let enough air. I always have used to keep radiator fins clean to a avoid buildup and thus decreasing cooling.

Has anyone have an opinion on normal temps pulling and/or screen effect?

Mr. Hipster · 10-02-2014, 12:06 AM

Gage probe in cylinder head will read hot, relocate to port next to thermostat if possible.

Skip426 · 10-02-2014, 12:20 AM

Anything that reduces air flow through the grill or rad can effect cooling. Reading any rear wheel drive, owners manual will give the same warning. Mounted too close and restricting too much air flow , they can ever make the fan act more like a propeller , pulling forward towards the rad and shortening water pump bearing life. ( I've seen this happen when people used to put cardboard in front of the rad in extreme cold weather, to try and get more heat.)
Most times the thermo fan should ramp up before 225. I think the spec is around 209 degrees at the hub. Could be gauge inaccuracy , early signs of thermo hub failure, t'stat problems or partially plugged rad core.
JMHO: Run without the screen, clean( exterior ) and flush (coolant ) regularly, check temps on your next trip, if temps are the same , further investigation is required. 225 on a pressurized system isn't extreme but could be an indication something isn't 100%.

George Schweikle · 10-02-2014, 08:29 AM

The gauge may be inaccurate. I had a 1995 GM Diesel chassis, and the temperature gauge was off by at least 20 degrees from an aftermarket gauge I installed. However, my factory gauge read low. On my '99 454, compared to the Scangauge, the dashboard gauge is essentially worthless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by windmill bob

Pulling steep grades temp gets up to about 225 at times. Usually fan kicks in and drops to 210 or so. Also do let up on it when it gets hot.

I read where a bug screen can not let enough air. I always have used to keep radiator fins clean to a avoid buildup and thus decreasing cooling.

Has anyone have an opinion on normal temps pulling and/or screen effect?

whem2fish · 10-02-2014, 08:32 AM

Agree 100 percent mine is a 454

windmill bob · 10-07-2014, 09:23 PM

Removed screen no change, have had previous coolant replacement twice. Looks pretty clean.
Electric fan does kick in about 209.
Will evaluate fan clutch seems maybe not engaging high speed soon enough?

Windmill Bob. THANKS

P.S. also have replaced stat and rad cap.

guardrail53 · 10-13-2014, 05:25 AM

I would swap out the temp gauge with a good quality gauge from autometer, S/W, or the like! And check the clutch fan for end play or tightness. Most likely the gauge! If you are not boiling the water out of it, it is something minor like the gauge being off, could be as much as 20 deg's off!