Originally Posted by 69hugger (Post 604468)

My builder's opinion/experience is way more complex than what I typed above. I didn't want to type a long diatribe, and most don't want to read it. I don't claim to know all he does, but he agrees you need oil temp. But oil temp runs considerably hotter than water temp, and (in his opinion) you don't need or want that much water temp.
A little more info... My motor has about 11.5:1 static C.R., and the cam timing provides for about 220 lbs cranking compression. I use 92 octane gas. I have a 6 speed & 3.55 gears, so in "touring" mode, I am at about 1500 rpm at 65 mph. Another factor is I can sometimes get stuck in traffic on a 90 degree day, and with a black car, want to be able to run the A/C. (What is the point of having A/C if you can't use it?) With this setup, we want to control the temperature as much as possible. His biggest concern is detonation. And I think we can all agree that higher combustion temps lead to detonation.
My car has the Vintage Air Frontrunner system, which comes with the Stewart pump. Do I need it? I don't know, but as long as it was engineered that way, I will run it if I can.
My motor is new, with more static & way more dynamic compression. I also have a new larger radiator with larger fans. And now the "new" pump. Dialing this in is a learning experience for me. I have always run a 'stat in my cars, and read years ago you needed the restriction the 'stat provides to create higher pressure in the block to prevent hot spots from locally boiling coolant in the heads. I had installed it with the new pump, but it obviously didn't do well with that restriction. I can control the fans with my ECU, and (so far) it seems to work well.
Drove about 60 miles on Saturday... it ran at 150 in 55 degree weather, and about 165 when it warmed up to 75. Drove it about 50 miles yesterday in 80 degree weather, sometimes with the A/C on, and it never went over 180. I am very happy when the gauge is under 200.
Time will tell about the city vs. highway speeds, and 90 degree days with A/C. But so far, so good.

And thanks for weighing in!


Bill

Originally Posted by 69hugger (Post 604649)

Tim,
I have a BBC....534 C.I. (.250" stroked 502)

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396 (Post 604782)

Doh.... I guess I should've realized that from the pictures. :sieg:
150* is too cool imho, what are your oil temps at that temp?

Originally Posted by Roberts68 (Post 604847)

Cool to hear from another Minnesotan. I am no expert but I would sooner drill some little bypass holes in the t-stat as opposed to run without one altogether. The thermostat will get you up to temp quicker and high flow stats will have minimal resistance. I think Milodon are pre drilled with a tiny bypass.

Anyway, can I ask what your 5th and 6th ratios are? ...and rear tire diameter?

Originally Posted by Roberts68 (Post 604885)

I see what you mean on the T-stat. Since you can't determine if the gasket or cover could have been mishandled, compromised by being unclean mating surfaces etc that lead to failure I understand your decision. I can't help but wonder if that could not have been the case on the rebuild however.

I am in Monticello.

The reason I asked about gearing is I sourced a 12 bolt last summer with 3.55 that originally belonged to a '69 Z-28. I wanted it to still be 3.73 but someone had changed it.
My trans is a TUET11009 /Tremec T56 Magnum, a "close ratio" with a 2.66 1st, .80 5th, .62 6th gear. I am in perpetual build purgatory.

I have done some math or I should say used Tremecs website calculators and really just was curious if 6th will be usable as some people have told me it won't be. Or, at least one engine guru (also old school) told me that it will load up running off idle out of power band or too low on torque curve at cruise rpm etc...

Forgive the thread highjack, and granted you have BIG BBC torque on tap, but could you comment toward this? How do you like it and does this sound like a silly worry?