High Flow Water pumps... do they work? or find an Aluminum Radiator?

[jeepfreak81]

I have heard good and bad against High flow water pumps, I have heard they actually can move the antfreeze too fast and you will still have an overheating condition. I just rebuilt the 355 in my jeep and have since finally got everything taken care of and it runs like a champ... the new cam is even more responsive

But i think This time, as it was built correctly the tolerances must be tighter then the original reman as with the same block its running warmer, 5-10* nothing has changed other then the lower end rebuild and the slightly larger cam... I pulled the thermostat right out and that seemed to take care of the overheating for now anyway.

Should I look into a high flow pump, or just opt right for an aluminum radiator? Obviously with the radiator I will be doing some Fab work...

[MuddyPaws]

Actually pulling the stat out can cause an overheating problem. The cooling system needs a restriction to slow the water in the cooling area in the radiator. You might be ok now, but when it gets warm out it may not be ok. Many drag racers find this out the hard way. We used to stick a large washer in there instead of a stat. It allowed flow but slowed it down enough to cool.

I have never had overheating problems with the v8 in my YJ and I have a simple steel conversion radiator and normal off the shelf pump. I have a good fan though...maybe too good...overcools in town driving. Might have a fan problem on yours or the stat was the problem. Could just be the engine runs a bit warmer because it's new now or bigger cam, more fuel and air, more heat...

Either way, good luck. I wouldn't really wory about 5 degrees though.

[jeepfreak81]

Originally Posted by MuddyPaws

Actually pulling the stat out can cause an overheating problem. The cooling system needs a restriction to slow the water in the cooling area in the radiator. You might be ok now, but when it gets warm out it may not be ok. Many drag racers find this out the hard way. We used to stick a large washer in there instead of a stat. It allowed flow but slowed it down enough to cool.

I have never had overheating problems with the v8 in my YJ and I have a simple steel conversion radiator and normal off the shelf pump. I have a good fan though...maybe too good...overcools in town driving. Might have a fan problem on yours or the stat was the problem. Could just be the engine runs a bit warmer because it's new now or bigger cam, more fuel and air, more heat...

Either way, good luck. I wouldn't really wory about 5 degrees though.

I have a standard conversion radiator, standard pump, and upgraded to a high flow electric fan last year, stat seemed to be working.

it was running around 215-220 when the guage was usually just under 210-212, I know about the flow issue with the t-stat, but i have heard sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, never had to do it myself. figured its worth a shot and is working right now.

[Yetti]

just as a tip, you may want to take an old T stat and cut out the center, install the plate thats left and it acts like an oraface to slow down the coolant long enough to throw off heat. the second biggest mistake people make is run almost pure antifreeze, pure anti freeze does not absorbe heat! it make what we call an iron hot condition and it will crack heads & blocks even though the gauge says other wise. 50/50 mix is best use any thing but pure, I use a tester to set it at about -35* and it has never failed me.

[jeepfreak81]

it has 50/50 in it, and I will see if I have another stat around to maybe slow it down a bit...

Anyone know about using a Fiero Aluminum Radiator on a SBC? I have heard they cool V-6's too well in CJ2A's

[CHVYPWR]

I went from a stock copper/brass radiator and clutch fan to an alumnum radiator and electric fan in my El Camino. The 350 would run on the warm side with the original stuff at around 210. After the alum drad and electric fan it stays around 195. Never did anything with the pump. Yeah I know this was on a car, but results should still be about the same for a Jeep.