383 4bbl running a little warm...

[StockMan]

I have a 383 4bbl that I had running  (for testing reasons) outside of the car on the k-member mounted to sturdy floor stand with a tranny mounted.  I had it running there quite a bit and it always ran fairly cool (could touch it).  Now that I've installed it into the car it seems to get pretty warm after running for about 8-10 minutes.  By warm I mean not being able to hold a couple of fingers on it for more than a couple of seconds.  Note that it hasn't started to pass water through the cap which is a 7lb cap.  And, I don't have a thermostat it is yet.

The only differences from when it was not in the car are...

- Had a leak in the rad fixed and they painted the entire thing black.  I'm wondering if the painted 'fins' would make the difference?
- I added a kit to the carter AVS carb.  I haven't had the plugs out to see if I'm running lean.  Could this be the difference?
- I adjusted the timing a bit and have never had a light back on it yet.  Can timing do this?  the motor is running well.
- I put the factory clutch fan on it, it didn't seem to be performing so I put other one back on that I had on it when running it outside of the car.  It pulls way more air through the rad but the motor still seems to get fairly warm.
- Pulled the plugs and gapped them all properly.

I'm going to pick up a rad shroud this week, that will probable help, but its odd that it ran so cool before.

Thanks

[resq302]

I have never had an engine that I could touch after running it, be it the intake manifold or even lower on the block by the oil pan.  In my 383 4 bbl 4 spd, it usually runs around between 180 and 200 depending on the outside temp for the day.

[StockMan]

Thanks.  I don't currently have a thermostat in it which is why it was running so cool.  I guess I'll let it run a little longer to see if it stays at that same temp.  When the shroud is back on there should be a difference there as well.

[resq302]

FYI - my car did NOT come with a shroud from the factory.  You only got a shroud if you got an axle package or auto trans with the 383.

[StockMan]

I have the 383 4bbl with auto and 323s.  It is an A/C car so it came with the bigger rad and clutch fan.  I'm only assuming it had the shroud, although I don't actually have it right now.

[resq302]

A/C cars had the 26 inch rad and a shroud.  If you get a shroud, it will help out a lot with your cooling problems as well.

[oldkimmer]

.........Put in a 180 t-stat, the w/a mix isnt staying in the rad long enough to b cooled.........kim.......