383 stroker overheating

Just a quick up-date on the 383 over-heating problem. I kind of ran out of time as Im in the sand pit with limited communications. The best I could do with the 383 stroker was getting it down to 210 degrees. I was limited on time while home as I changed the thermostat back to 180, new clutch fan, msd box and distributor and a 650 holey. Now, I had to think as I bought a new toy from Northern, it is a heat detector,,, I seen where at the radiator, bottom hoses it was around 190 at times as the headers was pushig off 520 degrees of heat,,,,,,,,,,now,,,,,,my next plan is to wrap the headers to see if it will take some of the heat back down. That will have to wait till late fall when I see home.  The other thing I was thinking was,,,,,,,what grade of fuel should I use? I can only get up to 94 octan of sunoco. Would it be best to try and get more of an octan fuel?  thanks  

Hi Kosovoal2002. I had the same problem with my 383 stroker with aluminum Edelbrock heads. I changed the thermostat, new water pump, new 3 core radiator, everything you have done so far. The only exceptions is that I cut the guts out of the thermostat so it would flow through it, with a little restriction, all the time. I also installed a seperate electric motor to run my pump so I didn't need the belt. Well, one day I was working on the car and my Grandpa came up to me(he was a mechanic all his life) and I told him what was happening. He asked if I changed the Radiator cap. I told him no, so he got one out of his garage and put it on. What do you know.. it fixed the problem completely. I never had another over heating problem with the car and it was in my 78 Camaro. I don't know if it will help your situation but it is worth a try and easy to do.  

swooperchevy. I agree with what you are saying except the T-stat. By gutting your T-stat you are hurting your heads. The problem that you were trying to fix was never resolved. Not running or running a gutted T-stat doesn't let your heads nor the deck of the block go through heat cycles. Insteed of put a 180 back in and put 2 10 inch electric fans in front at the top of the rad. running continuisly leaving the bottom of the rad. open. That should make up for what your doing now.  

ok Kosovoal2002 I think I've figued your problem out. From what I got your still running a michanical fan. Ok it sounds like its not able to keep up with your motor. At this point you can do one of 2 things. 1. You can scrap the michanical fan and go with two high flow electric fans and an ajustible temp switch. OR 2. leave what you got and put on two 10 inch electric fans on the front top side of the rad. This will cool the water down in the rad. more. and use a 75% water and 25% coolant mix. This will cool quicker. Coolant going into the motor at 190 is not going to cool the motor down to 180 very well.

The header wraps will help. That will get ridd of about 70% of raidiant heat. But a pain in the but to install. And worth it.

Your 94 octain is just fine. That shouldn't be a problem.

Sounds like its comeing along though.

Good luck.  You be safe out there. You guys are doing use all proud. If you need a friend out there, hit me up at michaelcastleberry@hotmail.com