[UserL1955]

Just got my first 55 chevy Bel Air 4 door. It was an original 8 cylinder and engine was replace with a fairly new Edelbrock 350 V8. It came from Minnesota and I live in Tennessee where we are still in the 80-82 degree range. The engine runs good and cool for about the first 20 minutes and then starts to heat up...gauge goes to upper area. I put on a 160 degree thermostat and it still runs hot after a while. I ordered a radiator shroud hoping that this might fix the problem and have not put it on yet. If the shroud doesn't work, any ideas how I can keep it from overheating? Radiator looks to be in pretty good shape on the inside.

Thanks for anyone's advice!

 

[acardon]

Welcome to TRI-FIVE!!!

Are you sure the gauge is correct? Is it boiling coolent out the overflow?
A common practice in the old days, was to block off any tubes in the radiator core, that were leaking. It didn't matter in the small displacement low horsepower days, but when you put a 350 on the same radiator, it can cause problems, even though it looks good.
Is the temp gauge a mechanical or electric gauge? 55's originall had mechanically gauges but someone may have changed it out. You can get a infered red, hand held gauge, to verify the temp.
The thermostat won't change how hot it gets, only how cold it is allowed to get. Once it opens, it's open, no matter what temperature thermostat it is.

 

[UserL1955]

Radiator looks like a regualr stock radiator..black in color with hard plastic hose fittings

 

[acardon]

Radiator looks like a regualr stock radiator..black in color with hard plastic hose fittings

The stock radiator was too small (2 row) for anything but a stock HP V-8 in my opinion, but I've never seen one with plastic fittings.

 

[UserL1955]

55 Chevy overheating

The raduator overflow tube did spew out antifreeze. I believe the gauge is original and the engine has been in the car for about 7,000 miles. The previous owner did the work several years ago and told me that the car stops overheating when the temps are under 70 outside. I wonder if I need a new radiator?

 

[UserL1955]

Don, do you think a shroud will help cool the radiator.

 

[mickym521]

From your description I don't think you have an orginal radiator. Is it in front or behind the support bar? Are you running a long or short water pump? Also are you running AC on the car? The problem may be fixed by moving the fan up closer to the radiator. There are several thing that could be causing the motor to run hotter on warm days.