overheating 350 engine

1978 CHEVROLET ASTRO
V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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WINGRIDER724
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
i have a 359 chevy engine in a hot rod it is overheating. all new radiator (aluminum) thermostat (195) waterpump temp sending unit for a (dolphin) gauge and a elecric fan. any help with this problem will be appreciated thanks chuck
Jun 19, 2011 at 3:50 AM
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CARADIODOC
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 34,412 POSTS
Is this a new problem or has it always existed? The first thing to check is if there is a shroud around the fan. Anything that lets air go around or over the radiator will reduce its effectiveness.

If the radiator is rather skinny, you may need a three-core unit with three rows of tubes instead of the more common two-core.
Jun 19, 2011 at 10:48 AM
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HMAC300
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 48,601 POSTS
if you have a mechanical fan and it doesn'thave ashroud going to the radiator it willnot pull enough air to cool the car at idle or slow driving. Make sure your t-stat and rad cap are in good condition. If this has higher compression it willrun hotter. best is to have an electric fan mounted to rad to push the air through with a good sending unit/relay system.
Jun 20, 2011 at 8:37 AM
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