383 temps whats good and bad...

[1974dodgecharger]

I was out cruising today and she does what she does and stays at 180 and she climbs to 190 if im sitting in traffic at a light.  Today I let her idle to get out of the car to take pics and she climbed to 200 to 205.

Is this good or bad?

[Cooter]

I have found that many times the problem is air flow through radiator if all else is good. This doesn't apply if your coolant looks like river bottom mud though.

If its running a fan clutch, try replacing it. I did and what a difference. Is there a shroud?

[fy469rtse]

what cooter said ,
shroud is a big benefit at idle, direct fan, you wont notice horse power lose

[1974dodgecharger]

I have found that many times the problem is air flow through radiator if all else is good. This doesn't apply if your coolant looks like river bottom mud though.

If its running a fan clutch, try replacing it. I did and what a difference. Is there a shroud?

no shroud on mine...will investigate it further. 

I googled 383 mopar temps and some folks are saying 210 is not bad, but once it creeps to 220 to 230 then worry.  Also read that if the engine is bored over expect higher temps mine is bored over .30.

[cordoba-rick]

Definitely get a shroud.  what stat are you running and is your fan a five blade or seven blade? It all helps.  And to touch on another member's comment, what is the condition of the radiator? My 1999 Dakota had a heavy but effective 8 blade fan!

[1974dodgecharger]

anco 3 row aluminum rad so thats new actually, with a 180 t stat.  She runs 180 while driving her just when I let her idle lets say to take pictures for like 10mins she gets up to 200.

Cant remmeber the fan blade count maybe 5?

[myk]

I run similar 'temps as you do on my 440 and I think it's fine; the motor never goes beyond 220.  I'm also running a shrould and a pusher fan for idling.  You should at least have a shroud...

[1974dodgecharger]

I run similar 'temps as you do on my 440 and I think it's fine; the motor never goes beyond 220.  I'm also running a shrould and a pusher fan for idling.  You should at least have a shroud...

I want to add a pusher fan also...any recommendations myk? 

I was looking at becool and WOW they run me 500  with all the install stuff such as regulators, etc..

[Cooter]

Be Cool is the TTI of cooling systems.. high as hell, but good stuff.
You can find a lot of cheaper aluminum rad. On evilbay.

[cudaken]

I have found that many times the problem is air flow through radiator if all else is good. This doesn't apply if your coolant looks like river bottom mud though.

If its running a fan clutch, try replacing it. I did and what a difference. Is there a shroud?

no shroud on mine...will investigate it further. 


I goggled 383 Mopar temps and some folks are saying 210 is not bad, but once it creeps to 220 to 230 then worry.  Also read that if the engine is bored over expect higher temps mine is bored over .30.

210 is OK? Not in my cars! If I hit 190 I start freaking out, hit 200 I shut them down.

My 69 Charger ran around 170 till I pulled it motor and installed the 426 and started hitting 210 it started to heat up quick in traffic. No shroud or clutch fan. I was doing a friends 68 A/C Charger that had a fresh 3 row recore so Dave let me try that. Well it helped max temp was 190.

Then I bought a generic Aluminum cross flow off E Bay, I think I paid a round $225. I never saw over 170 no matter how long it sat in traffic.

Only pictures I have handy of the cross flow is after I pulled the 426 and installed the blown 440.

http://s83.photobucket.com/user/cudaken/media/Charger%20Site/69ChargerDriverFrontEndBlownPullingEngineInGarageStartCudaKen_zps2d4c0e60.jpg.html]

Never got over 170.

I found a 4 Row for my 68 Road Runner and it still runs nice and cool.   

Cuda Ken

[1974dodgecharger]

damn, KEN thats impressive with such a build and those temps.  I need to get a 3 row I think I got only 1 row anacool rad...I cant remember.

[Dino]

Nothing wrong with hitting 200 at idle with a BB, but again try another temp gauge first.  The stock gauge is as accurate as a shoe.  I would be more worried if the temp didn't go down right away upon moving.  Got a clutch?  That can affect temps in either direction.

[myk]

Nothing wrong with hitting 200 at idle with a BB, but again try another temp gauge first.  The stock gauge is as accurate as a shoe.  I would be more worried if the temp didn't go down right away upon moving.  Got a clutch?  That can affect temps in either direction.

Right.  Isn't 190-210 considered "operating 'temp" for these motors anyway, especially if stuck in traffic?  

'OP I know that electric fans can be expensive but it's an insurance policy, assuming that the rest of the cooling system is doing its job.  You said you had a shroud, right?  Gotta have a shroud, even if you install a pusher fan to help cool.  Also, beware of cheaper fans.  DK1997 runs Spal fans and I would recommend going with a quality fan like that or Be-cool, because often those cheaper fans do not actually move the CFM they claim to push...