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Technical have a 455 olds that runs hot looking for one that runs cooler

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by cobalt333, Sep 17, 2016.

  1. im just curious i have a 455 engine in my 1956 olds and it runs hot which i understand big blocks do i do have it under control and now its at 197 course its fall...im not looking for info how to cool her down.....i was just wondering what other engines i could put into my car that are known to run cool and would bolt into the 1972 olds motor mounts that i have welded into my car...thanks
     
  2. 73RR
    Joined: Jan 29, 2007
    Posts: 7,342

    73RR
    Member

    455 Buick. 472-500 Cad.
     
  3. I have a pal that had a 455 in his '58 Chevy pickup and it always ran hot, he installed a 454 Chevy and it runs cool as a cucumber.

    He is using the same radiator & mechanical 17" steel fan. HRP
     
  4. oldolds
    Joined: Oct 18, 2010
    Posts: 3,592

    oldolds
    Member

    I seldom had a 455 Olds that ran hot. All were in stock applications. I have had maybe 200 of them in my lifetime. Used car dealer since 1977.
     
    Atwater Mike and oldsjoe like this.
  5. D.N.D.
    Joined: Aug 15, 2012
    Posts: 1,385

    D.N.D.
    Member Emeritus

    How about a tricked up radiator, lots easer then an engine change

    DND
     
    belair likes this.
  6. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,907

    George
    Member

    Ran a 455 Olds in my '48 Plym for 8 yrs w/o a problem. What temp thermostat & how big a radiator you got?
     
  7. flamedabone
    Joined: Aug 3, 2001
    Posts: 5,705

    flamedabone
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    There is no particular issue with the design of the cooling circuit on a 455 Olds. Big blocks run hot is a bench racing wives tale. Figure out why your engine is running hot and fix it.

    -Abone.
     
  8. What flamedabone said. Hotrodladycruiser has had a 455 in the Big Olds since JustSteve built it 25? years ago. Many thousands of miles.
     
  9. flatoz
    Joined: May 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,237

    flatoz
    Member

    My 455 runs that cold in my 1955 olds that I have upped the thermostat to 190 and I still have to block off half the radiator to get it up to 1/4 on the temp gauge. I don't think it's the engine that is is the issue. I agree, look at your cooling system. I'm still using the 7lb radiator, so I don't even get the benefit of a 13-14lb radiator which helps with increasing the boiling temp. the motor has this water pump on it, maybe that might help.


    http://www.ebay.com/itm/191429537078?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
     
  10. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 15,155

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    1. No such thing as a "big block" Olds 455 Same block, larger displacement.
    2. I run a 455 with 11:1 compression, aluminum heads, and runs cool.
    3. Dr. Olds says you got a temperature issue not an engine issue.
    upload_2016-9-17_20-39-11.png
     
    oldsjoe, falcongeorge and belair like this.
  11. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,384

    sunbeam
    Member

    More info. Hot idling or highway?
     
  12. Caprice89
    Joined: Dec 30, 2014
    Posts: 271

    Caprice89
    Member

    Absolutely no temp issues with my 455 Olds. Steady as a rock.

    Leaking oil? No, sweating horsepower
     
    belair likes this.
  13. brokenspoke
    Joined: Jul 26, 2005
    Posts: 2,987

    brokenspoke
    Member

    what temps is it running?
     
  14. Sporty45
    Joined: Jun 1, 2015
    Posts: 1,376

    Sporty45
    Member


    Aren't the deck heights different between the 260-403 blocks and the 400-455 blocks?
     
    falcongeorge likes this.
  15. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,036

    belair
    Member

    Easier and cheaper and faster to put in a better radiator than a new engine. Listen to Dr. Olds.
     
  16. Try the other thread you started. Lots of answers there.
     
  17. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 15,155

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Yo Sporty, I was just referring to the late 60s early 70s stuff. Just like their Poncho brethren, be it a 350, 400 or 455, no big and small blocks. Chevy always had to make it a bit more difficult...in a good way.
     
  18. Caprice89
    Joined: Dec 30, 2014
    Posts: 271

    Caprice89
    Member

    Just about 200 F.

    Leaking oil? No, sweating horsepower
     
  19. brokenspoke
    Joined: Jul 26, 2005
    Posts: 2,987

    brokenspoke
    Member

    That's not running hot....might check your vacuum source, timing. Gauge might be off just a few degrees.
     
  20. oldsjoe
    Joined: May 2, 2011
    Posts: 2,643

    oldsjoe
    Member

    I have two 455's and one 425 all run about the same temp 190 200 depends on the ambient temperature. 200 degrees is not running hot in my opinion. Is your car puking coolant or pinging? As has been stated easier and more economical to repair the issue than throw out a good running engine. Joe

    Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  21. Caprice89
    Joined: Dec 30, 2014
    Posts: 271

    Caprice89
    Member

    Like I said, no temo issues...[emoji41]

    Leaking oil? No, sweating horsepower
     

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