I may be in hot water with my new Best built Big block.
I forgot to turn on my electric fans tonight while driving and when I come to look at the gauge, it is reading 230 degrees. Did I fry the motor? It seems okay and starts up normal. It was probably only for 5-10 minutes before I noticed.
I turned it off very quickly then started it again with the fans on full swing and the temps went down pretty fast to 180.
That's what I get for being pre-occupied with peoples junk talk and needs. No More Mr.Nice guy.

230 is NOTHING. You're fine.

yup. I wouldn't worry about 230. Mines spiked up to 250 before when I was tossing belts while figuring out a pulley alignment issue, and I haven't had any problems

Why have the fan on a switch?

my heat gauge goes to 320 and ive peged it past that,no aparent damage.

That`s just a spike pressure reading if it dropped to 180......done it a few times myself w/out any issues.

get a adjustable rheostat fan kit, it will turn fan on/off where you set the temp too, and can place a switch inline( out of the way ) so if you go drag racing you can turn it off during a run.

if you have two fans you can set one to come on at a set temp, and turn one on with a switch when needed.

most cars/trucks run 210-220 so 230 no big deal.

I have an on/off switch for my electric fan, but I also bought a fixed controller that will kick on at 205, just in case we get pre-occupied and forget to turn it on...

I like to turn it off just before a run so that my MSD, Fuel pumps get all the juice they need. When I turn it on after a run, you can hear and see the draw of the fans through the gauges and lights. They work crazy well. From a 97'Dodge Caravan.

I had a fuse blow on my electric water pump at the World finals years years ago, the motor got up to 250 F before we got back to the truck to fix it. The stupid thing ran faster after that That was back when I use to set the ring end gap up tight, .014 to .016 on top (4.250 bbore) and .010 to .012 on the second ones 230F won't hurt the motor unless you have the ring end gap really tight

230 is nothing.... during road testing for Chrysler
we would do hot soaks and the injectors would normally
see 250 and more seating there with the engine off
before it started to cool

Thanks guys. I'm sleeping more tonight.
Can't wait till next season.

Maybe you need a light to remind you, or a string on your finger to remind you to turn it on, LOL I didn't know the season was over, its just about to start for me.

I have a warm spot for all you guys up north

Yeah, It feels like the motor just shrugged it off and is performing as well as ever.
I just never went that high to the ceiling with the temps. This motor runs pretty cool even on Summer days and eves.

Drove my car in 110 heat from Wi to Monster Mopar weekend and pegged the thermostat at 230. Was worried as you were but after we stopped for a while and had a few 's it was right back down to 180 with no problem.