what temp does your 440 run at?
 

i know big blocks run a little hotter but what temp is your 440 running at?

with a 160 thermostat, my 440 holds 165 and can get up to 190 in stop and go
but, it wont go above 195 in bumper to bumper traffic

hmm, ive took mine out now for two test rides and both times its getting up to almost 230 towards the end of the ride! its got an electric fan, 160 thermostat. im wondering if the headers are getting the intakes to hot where they rest above them. the engine bay is so tight the heat can't get out anywhere. im also gonna try to fit another electric fan in the front of the radiator. i cant figure out what it is.

The pusher fan will help only if you have a problem with it over heating (running hot) when stopped. The headers should make no difference.

even when its driving it stays hot. maybe the pusher will help a little

You have to be careful with a pusher fan. As you drive and the fan is spinning, the blades will flatten out moreso than a puller fan will. Maybe you have an air pocket, maybe your electric fan does not have a large enough CFM compacity, are you running a shroud?

the fan is 2600cfm, and no i dont have a shroud. my fan is also off centered to the radiator for clearence so i dont know how a shroud would line up with it

your running an alum radiator right? are you using a high flow water pump too?

A shroud will make a big difference. I'd fit one if ya can bro.

180 therm and straight antifreeze did the job for me.

230 is too hot
i'd go for another fan

i think im going to try a shroud before anything, its the cheapest idea so far so we'll see how it goes

http://flowkoolerwaterpumps.com/cooling_faq/ Most of this you already know, but there may be a nugget in here somewhere.

The problem with straight antifreeze is that it does not transfer heat as well as water. A lot of it has to do with how built your motor is too though.

i dont remember ever feeling the need to turn the heat on in my now yorker, so i went with straight so it would run cooler. this is a good thing isnt it?

Yes and no. My understanding of coolant is that it helps to keep the water from freezing and the waterpump from siezing up. i know that coolant has changed and improved over the years so maybe how it is used and the ratios have changed as well. I've always used Peak antifreeze and water at a 50/50 ratio and never had any problems.

There is nothing wrong with running straight coolant if it is working for you. Just with some vehicles, they run better and more effecent at the proper operating temp.

Joe - when you filled the cooling system, do you have one of those tools that pulls a vacuum on teh system so that when you fill it up, there are no air bubbles?

good point Tim, i was just about to ask that