best desert cooling system

[ClassicJJ]

I'm out in AZ and I'm running an all stock 350 with HEI backed up by a 200 4r and soon to have 3:73 gears. I drive my monte daily but it seems to run in the 200 to 210 range when it comes to temperature and i want to cool it down alot! It has a new ac-delco water pump and someone had put a 3 cor radiator. I plan on upgrading the radiator but I was hoping someone on here who also lived in the desert could share a good experience they may of had with one. please give me all types of cooling input! thank you!

[footballubet]

If you are running the stock radiator shroud/tunnel you could install an electric fan and it would be hidden. Does it have a clutch fan? Maybe it's not operating properly?

[Sam (Bones)]

let's start with easy things first!

 

what thermostat do you have in it? 180, 195???

[ClassicJJ]

its not a clutch fan its all there though such as shroud/tunnel and i feel like its a 195 thermostat.

[Mike 57]

How does the fan fit in the shroud? Pictures would be good.

[Sam (Bones)]

put a 180 or a 160 stat in it first and see what it does

 

really 200-210 isn't that bad, my 454 runs best at 190+

[ClassicJJ]

http://s1005.photobucket.com/user/jjnz28/media/IMG_0264_zpsdc64ad21.jpg.html?filters[user]=138345032&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

http://s1005.photobucket.com/user/jjnz28/media/IMG_0249_zps0acd6b42.jpg.html?filters[user]=138345032&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=1

http://s1005.photobucket.com/user/jjnz28/media/IMG_0262_zps7581bb9d.jpg.html?filters[user]=138345032&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=2

http://s1005.photobucket.com/user/jjnz28/media/IMG_0263_zps84d48986.jpg.html?filters[user]=138345032&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=3

[ClassicJJ]

i think i uploaded them..

[Sam (Bones)]

I tried to fix it, photobucket says it doesn't exsist

[ClassicJJ]

http://s1005.photobucket.com/user/jjnz28/media/IMG_0263_zps84d48986.jpg.html?filters[user]=138345032&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=3

 

http://s1005.photobucket.com/user/jjnz28/media/IMG_0262_zps7581bb9d.jpg.html?filters[user]=138345032&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=2

[ClassicJJ]

Its not working Idk what to do!

[Sam (Bones)]

what is your photobucket ID, I will try

 

even when I click on the link, they don't open

[ClassicJJ]

jjnz28 is my id

[Malyc]

Highlight the entire link, because the brackets are making the forum think it's done with the address.

[ClassicJJ]

go you!

[Sam (Bones)]

that should have a clutch fan

 

start with a thermostat IMO

[ClassicJJ]

ok if it is a clutch fan how do i go about fixing it? or telling if its not working right?

[502ci]

I think the easiest test would be to try and spin it while the car is off and if there is resistance (as it won't make a full revolution) that is a good sign it is good. Also after the car has been driven for a while (warmed up) and you shut it off the fan should maybe spin twice and stop...if it keeps free wheeling it probably is bad.

[Murphy]

JJ, I flushed my system real well, I disconnected the bottom rad hose to make sure I got all the crap out due the car was sitting for many yrs. I also installed a 180 thermostat, my 350 runs fine in 100 degree temps.

[ClassicJJ]

sweet guys thank you. Its a little sketchy making these old ones daily drivers again! ha

[ClassicJJ]

Its as warm as can be now and the fan wont stop free spinning so thats a bad sign right?

[Sam (Bones)]

correct, replace the clutch

[wallaby]

There are several options for a fan clutch. The original unit is a heavy-duty thermal clutch. There is also a standard-duty thermal, and a severe-duty thermal. There is even a "non-thermal" clutch, but it senses engine speed instead of temperature and is used only for light duty applications.

 

The standard duty thermal is a simple budget-friendly unit that costs less, but allows some slippage...the engaged fan runs about 60% of shaft speed. (robs less HP from the engine, but pulls less air).

 

The heavy-duty thermal is more robust and allows less slippage; The engaged fan turns at about 80% of shaft speed. (requires more engine power to rotate, but pulls much more air). The heavy-duty is recommended for large displacement vehicles with AC.

 

Lastly is the severe-duty thermal which has the same operating specs as the heavy-duty, but is much larger and uses ball bearings instead of bushings internally. These are designed primarily for trucks.

 

Here is some further info:

Hayden clutch page

[ClassicJJ]

I feel like I may go with the severe duty fan clutch. Which one would you guys recommend?

[wallaby]

Severe is top-of-the-line. I just checked with Summit, and the severe is only $10 more then the heavy duty. Knowing that, I think I'd opt for the severe.