what should a big block temp be on avg???? i know 195 is like perfect operating temp. but the gauge on my car just now hit 200. i dont really trust the gauge but it worried me. i know the big blocks can over heat more easily than a small block. and when i turned the car off it went up to 220. in a matter of seconds. (also while driving the temp changed from 200- 180 back to 195 in a matter of seconds- which maeks me not beive the guage.) any ideas/ seguestions???

 

thats the guage, but you should be safe to like 200 or 205 even, above that i would worry

 

What kindof gauge do you have (factory, aftermarker, electrical or mechanical sending unit)? Factory gauges are really bad about reading incorrectly. The best bet is to slave in an aftermarket mechanical gauge in just to check the temperature.I have the cheapy oil pressure and water temp gauges ($10.00 versions) that I use just to verify how close my factory gauges are reading. I've had more factory gauges read wrong than I can remember, but you always want to sure.

 

I was wondering the same question my car runs 180-190 usually but does go up to 200 sometimes and I have an aftermarket gauge.My stock gauge doesn't work

 

I assume your guage is measuring coolant temp like the factory guage does. Its not unusual for that to increase after the engine is turned off as the block temp is always higher than the coolant temp. Once the engine is off, the heat from the block will go to the coolant and with no fan or air movement through the rad, the coolant temp will rise.

 

Are you sure you don't have a bad thermastat? Did you get rid of your fan cluch it helps a ton? Electirc fans are the best thing since sliced bread.

 

no i dont have a clutch. i have a mechanical fan, and duel electric fans in front of the rad. is that enough to keep it cool.

 

That should be more than enough, I would ditch the old mechanical fan of yours, but that's just me.

 

its a new mechanical fan, really nasty looken. ill get a pic up tonight.

 

I think you have more than enough and I would keep the fan they are bad *** to look at. First call Jegs or Summit and get a performance thermostat they are gold color and work well I won’t have a car without them. Second something might be clogged buy the reverse flush kit. Not sure if you ever used one before but you cut the hose and put the plastic piece on and connect your garden hose. Since it’s a reverse flush stuff you never knew starts coming out of the engine, radiator, water pump, heads everywhere the coolant goes and the kit stays installed forever. Get the thermostat and kit together since you have to remove it anyway to use the kit. Or just try the stat if you want I would do both. Hope this helps.