Thread: Engine running temp

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What is the ideal water temp for a 454? The engine is standard bore has around 9/1 compression , edelbrock performer RPM heads and manifold.

Any where from 180 to 200 imho.. Some newer cars run 205 to 210. With no problem.

Most hi-po motors like 180-210. The biggest thing in reaching the higher temps is that they do go down as you reach speed. That shows the airflow over the radiator is helping keep temps in check.
Any motor will build temp when they have to sit in traffic or at a light , especially in hotter weather.

I'd suggest getting your hands on a digital infra-red temperature gun and taking some measurements on the head/intake interface at the water ports, t-stat outlet, top of radiator, etc to see how your actual engine temperature compares to your t-stat outlet temperature. Mine runs about six to ten degrees hotter at the port coming out of the heads towards the t-stat than the temp measured at the top radiator hose. To get my operating temperature in the 185 to 200 range took a 180F t-stat for me.

I've done that. I have also tried slowing the water pump down that did help control the temp. But it's winter here (Australia) I was concerned about how hot is too hot

Too hot is uncontrolled, approaching the boiling point of your coolant. In a "normal" engine I'd put that at somewhere in the 210F to 220F range. My OEM Jeep runs with a 210 t-stat to increase the efficiency. Many of the newer OEM systems are red-lined in the 260F range. If your system is sized with plenty of radiator to dissipate heat, and plenty of water pump volume to keep coolant circulating then increasing heat increases your thermal efficiency up to the limits of the coolant you choose to run. Just my $0.02..