Overheating after install
Hey everyone,
Wondering if any of you out there experienced overheating after your install and what you did to remedy it. When I had the carb, I could idle in the garage while I tuned and it would not get over 195. Now it goes to 230 and spits up radiator fluid just after 5-10 minutes of idling. I replaced the fluid, tried having my 2500 CFM electric fan kick on earlier at 175* instead of 195*, didn't help. New thermostat, didn't help either. Verified upper hose is hot, so is the lower. Target AFR is down to 13.4 - haven't pulled a plug yet. Any ideas/experiences would be greatly appreciated.
This is on a 390 Ford with the gostreet 400. Thanks!
What is your spark timing like? Is the Fitech controlling the spark advance. Running retarded will cause overheating.
I have a standalone dizzy, so no - it isn't controlling timing. I have a lumpy cam, so my engine like 25 initial timing. I pulled a plug and it looked like it was lean. So I adjusted the target to something drastic like 12.8 and it stayed at 205 while idling for a good 10 minutes. This leads me to believe that the o2 sensor or the fitech itself is reading incorrectly. Or, my cam just needs a rich mixture!?
If y0ur cam is really lumpy you may try stepping up one number on the cam selection. Like from a 2 to a 3. Or 1 to a 2.
Quote from waldezy on August 7, 2022, 2:49 pmI have a standalone dizzy, so no - it isn't controlling timing. I have a lumpy cam, so my engine like 25 initial timing. I pulled a plug and it looked like it was lean. So I adjusted the target to something drastic like 12.8 and it stayed at 205 while idling for a good 10 minutes. This leads me to believe that the o2 sensor or the fitech itself is reading incorrectly. Or, my cam just needs a rich mixture!?
When your are adjusting timing, are you also checking your total timing? 25 initial timing seems off to me.
With the engine running at idle, check your vacuum reading. This will determine cam settings. Above 15 uses Cam1, 10 to 15 uses Cam 2, under 10 uses Cam 3, under 5 requires a custom tune
Are you setting the initial timing with the vacuum advance disconnected and the line plugged. 25 seems like a lot if that is the way you are checking. Also check total timing with vac disconnected and rpm up high enough to max out centrifugal timing. What do you get? Also do you know if your timing marks at the crank are correct?