Need tips on running the 440 cooler. Driving is no problem but in trafic and stuff, it goes up and fast. Rad is stock and seems OK, pump seems OK,
It is a HP 440 and still running 10.25 compression and 906 heads. It has about 10 miles on it now, and all is new stuff. Will retarding it run cooler? HP is not a concern, but I do like to smoke them up a bit. Also when warm it idles fast, around 2000 RPM. Then slowly comes back to 900RPM it is a new Eddey carb 750 electric choke. Same thing about 10 miles on it since motor was rebuilt??

Help

Check out the 5 page thread from a few days back about 440's running hot, all the useful cooling info is in there.

Retarding timing increases temps. Over-advancing timing will cause detonation. You have to find the sweet spot. Tell me you had your distributor recurved when you rebuilt the motor?

Is it idling at 2000 when warm? Or does it start at 2000 when cold and work it's way down to 900 like it should? FWIW 900rpm in neutral is not too bad, but if that 900 is in gear, I would back it down a little.

yes read the 127 replies to the 440 running hot post on the next page. My brain is still numb from that one.

No I did not recurve it. It is an electronic ignition also brand new from Mopar. Just the way it came from them. It starts and runs about 1200 on choke (electric) then slows down. It is when it gets hot that it runs and idles fast. If I slow it down when hot it barley idles when cool.
I will slowly read the post before on running hot. Nothing worse than cruising around and stop for a bit and have that steam blowing. NOT the kind of HOT motor I want
Thanks for the replies
Ron

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Retarding timing increases temps.

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I disagree with this comment. I have successfully lowered the temp on my 440 by retarding the timing a couple of degrees. I did this one time when I had recored my radiator but didnt properly flush out my system, and some nasty stuff from my engine walls got loosened up and flowing throu my cooling system.
Also, my 440 is stock, 1973 with 8:1 not 10:1.
retarding the timing a couple degrees is like lowerering compression. Higher compression means higher temps and more likelihood for detonation.