is 205degrees to hot?

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72golddustermike

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have a 318 mild build with 340 cam and headers. has a new thermos stat water pump mopar viscous fan and new fan shroud and a new radiator from advance auto parts supposed to be for 340 hd with a/c but it looks like a 2 row radiator to me. i also am runing classic air setup. temp is between 195 and 205 in town or on highway doesnt matter if air is on or of. temps have been in upper 90s when driving.runnin 50/50 antifreeze water and a bottel of water wetter.thermostat is a mopar perfornance 180
 
If your T/stat is 195 degree, looks about right. What are you using for a gauge?
Might try a 180 degree T/stat.
 
Interesting,
I ran an autometer manual gauge and converted every thing in my dash to electric.
Manual guage always read 180 degress regardless of out side temp, the electric gauge reads 205 degrees, I changed nothing else. If your really concerned check temp in radiator with a thermometer, see how it compares to what your gauge says.
 
I was having running too hot problems and off a tip a racer bud gave me I added some timing. 4*advance brought the temp down 20*. Seems the charge was still burning as it went past the water jackets and produced more heat in the block.I wouldnt have believed it but seeings believing.
 
I think my timing is making my Duster run hot too. Gets hot fairly quick, and at 4000rpm's, it starts backfiring, looses power, and just craps out. I'm atempting to learn how to use a new digital timing light...
 
i have my initial timing set at 9* not sure of total timing i am nrunnin a procomp distributor and coil with e3 spark plugs i am not for sure what to set intial at i have the mopar performance 340 cam i think its 435 at 50 and 455 at 50 is what previous owner told me. car runs good and idles good set at 9 got about 12-13 in on vacum gauge when setting carb
 
Check the distance of your fan to the radiator... Should be 1-2" away from the radiator.. Also to get the correct temperture of the engine, don't rely on your gauges. Buy a $25 Temperature gun that has a laser on it. You can get these at any parts store, they are very accurate. Aim the laser at the thermostat/intake manifold area then at the lower and upper hoses along with the radiator to make sure the coolant is flowing properly.
 
I drop my temps 10--20 degrees by removing the T-sat. In hot weather the engine warms up quick enough--a tad slower but so what.

Can't hurt to try, how much is the gasket, what do you have to lose, I think the faster water flow helps.

Come fall the T-sat goes right back in.
 
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