[kool57]

how hot should a Chevy 502/502 run

[Siggy_Freud]

As hot as the thermostat that you put in it. Or at least around there provided the cooling system is efficient enough to keep up.

Between 180-200 is a good range.

[kool57]

I am helping my friend who is not real good on the computer. He has 69 El Camino with the 502/502. He is not able to get the temp below (I think) 230-240. What kind of cooling system would you think would work? Thanks for your reply.
T

[347mustang]

i had a 427 bb in a s10..i had a full size alum rad...and 2 10 inch fans...with a mechinal water pump...never got over 195

[Classix_Lover]

Originally Posted by kool57

I am helping my friend who is not real good on the computer. He has 69 El Camino with the 502/502. He is not able to get the temp below (I think) 230-240. What kind of cooling system would you think would work? Thanks for your reply.
T

Can you give me some more details of what cooling setup he is running right now and is that the temp reading when he's stuck in traffic or running down the highway? Type of waterpump, size radiator/fin area, what fan setup are you running(most common problem is airflow), thermostat rating, etc.

[kool57]

chevy 502 water pump (short water pump) running flex fan. running 2 elect. fans 14 in. ( should put out 2950 cfm each) alum radiator 2 core. stock shroud. running about 205 to 220 temp at about 93 outside.
Thanks so much!!!!

[KNanthrup]

As cool as the thermostat is best but ideally keep her below 220 for sure

[lluciano77]

Originally Posted by kool57

chevy 502 water pump (short water pump) running flex fan. running 2 elect. fans 14 in. ( should put out 2950 cfm each) alum radiator 2 core. stock shroud. running about 205 to 220 temp at about 93 outside.
Thanks so much!!!!

Copper/brass radiators will keep it cooler.

You should only need 1 fan. Make sure you have one of the good flex fans. Not one of those cheapo ones from the local parts stores. They like to throw blades.

[70bird]

Mine runs at 185-190 when moving and that's in 100* + heat. 195* in stop and go traffic in the middle of the day. At night it runs at 185 all the time (except when I run it up to 6 grand a couple times). I have the HO 502 in my Bird, it has less compression (8.75:1, not 10:1) and iron heads. It pulls that same amount of torque but about 50 less hp. It used to run at 210-215 before I realized that it had a standard rotation pump spinning in reverse.

The water pump that comes with the engine is a standard rotation pump. If you put a serpentine setup on, you're spinning the pump in reverse. Been there, done that.

I have a 2 core aluminum radiator (31"x19", 1" passages). A 16" electric puller fan and modified stock fan shroud. 185* High flow thermostat. High volume water pump. I run about 40/60 coolant/water with some of the redline water wetter. The temps didn't change with the water wetter but I use it anyways.

[Classix_Lover]

Originally Posted by kool57

chevy 502 water pump (short water pump) running flex fan. running 2 elect. fans 14 in. ( should put out 2950 cfm each) alum radiator 2 core. stock shroud. running about 205 to 220 temp at about 93 outside.
Thanks so much!!!!

Ahh, flex fans huh. Toss them, they're overrated and get yourself a good production electric fan that actually works and not those crap fans(people that actually have semi-luck with those are people who live in verrrry cool weather). Also, is he running that temp when at idle/actually moving or has he ever been stuck in traffic to see what temp it'll actually go up to? Copper and brass will cool better but overall, it won't help because of the way they're put together. Those flex fans are without a doubt the most probable cause of his temp problems. I highllllyyyy recommend you tell him to sell those and get like a mark 8 fan from a junkyard or from ebay if you want em cheap/slightly used hopefully. If he wants it brand new, cheapest I found online was 240 bucks, from a dealer new about 430 (yikes) however, it is worth it since that fan is excellent at cooling. You get what you pay for applies here.