Hot Rods Engine Overheating problem fix

Just want to throw this bit of knowledge out there to others like me that did not know that leaning out the fuel on your engine can make HUGE differences between open road driving and stop light temps.

Have a fresh 454 that runs at 190 on the open road with a 190 thermostat.....if I got into traffic or lights it would jump to 220-230 and have a hard time cooling down.....
after a new aluminum radiator and checking the thermostat it did not solve the issue....filled in all gaps around shroud .......made sure I had correct spark plugs.
Am running a Holley 750...............stock jets (70's)............put in larger jets (86's) and immediately the engine did not climb above 190 in traffic even with A/C on.......plus the response was better.....
basically I was leaning out the engine and causing it to get hot.

40+ degree swing..............learning experience on my part.....priceless.

Hope this helps somebody. -Dogger

 

Good info! Thanks for sharing!

 

Always good to get feedback on things. Glad you sorted it out. Now for fun- How many times have you read a 650 cfm carb is what you need for your engine...... Shit- I start with a 750 on something with even the mildest cam, and even put them on stockers....WHICH 750 cfm came with..... Most are not on the open road for the distance, but cruise aspect..... It might survive =temps/car it's in/conditions, just the #'s scare the uniformed....
+- You felt the difference......Takes a sizeable amount of power to really feel it= You did. Good job. Now start driving!

 

Back in the day we used to run the leanest jet we could to get 1100* EGT in the quarter for the best MPH. Any leaner than that and it would go to 1200* and slow down and maybe burn a plug or worse a piston. Jetting makes a big difference in temperature and performance!