Technical Mystery front clip and running cool 59 chevy truck

So i acquired a 59 Chevy Truck with a 55 (and one 57 fender) Front end. It has been clipped. Previous owner had no idea if it was a nova or camaro clip. It has drum brakes and Id like to upgrade to disc but I need to know what I have in there, Any Particular way of telling?

Also she runs super cool. Freakishly cool . Its a 62 327 with 283 power pack heads (pretty much and early 62 327) I installed a gauge and after 15 minutes wont go past 120. I used a laser temp tool and it read 99 to 100 on the heads 250 on the headers, it has a really old looking radiator, so I wasnt expecting it to be efficient. ...It was 50 degrees out, any ideas as to why or how? Should I leave it alone or will I damage the engine?

Im thinking of putting this truck together like someone would in 62... make the engine look like a dressed up 327 from the day etc... What were some wheels that were used back then? I dont wanna go to steelies with caps but I find that kind of cool. Any other cool brands or styles of wheels that would be period correct?

 

As far as cooling, does it have a t-stat in it. With it being 50 degrees it seems it is not holding water in the block to warm it up. I had a stuck open t-stat and this was the case with it.

 

I would put in a good mechanical gauge first and drive it around first. Then go from there. That's what I would do. Cool truck.

Pat

 

Put a 190 Thermostat in.
Where is the steering box mounted?
Is it out front of spindles or behind.
That will narrow the year

 

I tried the mechanical gauge but it only started at 130, so needless to say it didnt move, I put a new electrical gauge that was tested and I got a 120 reading.

Steering box is behind the spindles

I will check and replace thermostat if I need to... Just wanted to confirm an engine running this cold is a no no correct?

 

rear steer 1967-69 Camaro/firebird is the same as a rear steer 1968-73 Nova.

 

68 to early 70's were rear steer.
Google is your friend.

 

Thanks guys, maybe I'm looking up the wrong terms, I couldnt find much.

 

The radiator isn't doing much of anything yet.
There's no thermostat or it's stuck open.

 

Sounds like your radiator is doing its job. It appears the t-stat is stuck open and allowing the coolant to continuously fully flow through the radiator rather than limiting the flow to allow the heat to build up inside the block as it should. As suggested try a new t-stat and see what happens.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app