Hi Yesterday I took the Impala to Exeltech Auto in Markham. They recentlyl put in the 350 crate engine for me.
I had purchased a 3.00 inch fan spacer to get the fan further into the shroud as I wasn't happy with the temp guage and others on here had posted much cooler temps.
The fan spacer was designed in a unique way. The mounting bolt to the water pump had a hex key and were sunk into the outer flange so that it was easier to line up the bolts mounting to the water pump pulley. No messy fussing with the fan while trying to align the bolt holes just to get one started. (Did that a couple of times, changed from a 16 inch to an 18 inch) The fan attached to the face of the fan spacer once it was securely mounted to the water pump. No struggling. Just 4 easy bolts.
It ran about 195 - 210 Not serious but I lost my 283 due to overheating and 2 sets of blown head gaskets.
People at cruise events had mentioned that the fan needed to go further into the shroud. Thanks to Mark for the shroud.
On the way home it was running about 195 initially then came down a bit. I will take a run to see 70 SS Acadian tomorrow for a test run.
Confident everything will be ok.
The fan belt had been squealing and I thought a new belt would help,... Turned out that the mounting bracket for the block had one of the tabs broken off where it attaches the headers The bracket would torque up when the revs were brought up pulling the alternator closer to the rocker covers I suspected the belt was having a hard time keeping the 18 inch fan turning.
Photos
Fan spacer from the right side
Alternator bracket that needed welding
Unfortunately I dont have shop space to work on the car myself living in an apartment building.
Cliff
-- Edited by oshawacliff on Saturday 28th of June 2014 12:03:09 PM
oh a life with those silly brackets,of the fan is closer to rad maybe try a stock one? should be ok thou with a sturdy bracket i bet the impaler is alot quicker with that new motor!
Hey Cliff!, glad to see you're finally getting close.
The one thing that I think you could do, that will solve your high temps once and for all, is to just simply install an aluminum rad.
Just a cheap 2 core is all it would need. I run one in mine, and it cools amazingly. Zero issues so far. I feel aside from the goofy look, they are just miles better than stock, and are easy to install.
Mark. I bought one when all of this started and it looked like tooooo much custom work to get it to fit properly. Got it at Performance Improvements on the Midnight Madness sale. Was able to return it for a full credit.
Been watching the progress of your car.
Did you know about the track days at Mosport now. I think there is one coming up in September
oh a life with those silly brackets,of the fan is closer to rad maybe try a stock one? should be ok thou with a sturdy bracket i bet the impaler is alot quicker with that new motor!
Ditto, if I had a dollar for everyone of those brackets I've seen broken in my lifetime! Keep an eye on it as it will likely try breaking again.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
