I just cranked the 440 and ran it for about 10 mins. Is it normal for a newly rebuilt engine to run really HOT? I didn't set my timing yet with the light but I have the initial at 8 deg BTD.

Thanks!

Steve

How hot is hot? Do you have mechanical gauge? I like using the infared temp gun on different spots of the motor and rad.

toss the stat/put a large shop fan in front of it/check timing as your up @~2500 rpm. Assuming carb/mixture isn't way lean (might toss in some larger jets for the breakin/wont hurt things). Glad ya shut it down when you saw a prob. How hot was it?

It was about 250...really HOT!

I've got a mild cam in her and throught the carb was running a little rich (new Eddy 750). It was spitting flames the first couple of trys.

I have made it a habit to put one of those K-mart style box shaped house fans in front of the radiator whenever I break in a new engine. Sometimes it looks a little hokey, with bungee cords or bailing wire holding the fan from falling over. So what. New engines will often run much warmer than a high mile mill. The tight clearances cause friction and that means HEAT. I'm starting to think that it makes sense to also equip new motors with previously used and proven coils, distributors and carburetors. With the high rate of camshaft failures, the engine REALLY needs to start up and stay running. A new carb may not be jetted correctly. The new coil (Unless tested) could be defective as well as the distributor. Who wants to pull the engine after a wiped out cam shoved debris all through it?

Thanks for the tip! I'll do that next time I crank it. What else do I need to look for? I filled the radiator up after I cranked it that first go round. IT took quite a bit more fluid.

Good thing that I don't see any water spewin' on the garage floor or in the oil pan!

When I fill the radiator, I leave a wide mouth funnel in the inlet, and burp the system by slowly squeezing the upper radiator hose. You will see bubbles come up from the funnel. Keep adding water and squeezing the hose until the bubbles stop. Some experts say to break in the motor with straight water and afterwards switch to a mix of water and anti freeze. I suppose that is in case of leaks? Some believe that water transfers heat better. Maybe try using Water Wetter or some other coolant aid.

More initial timing would help it run cooler. Try 15 or 16.

DON'T remove the t/stat...if you want to do anything remove the t/stat and cut the gucks out of it.You MUST put t/stat with no internalls back in or run a restrictor if you don't it will overheat,but it might run 10-15* cooler....

Helps to jack the front end of the car up to let air pockets travel up toward the filler neck. Steam pockets will make a motor overheat very quickly.

Thanks guys! I'll try it again this week.

Is there a way to tell if the thermostat has closed becasue of the high temp other than removing it?