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454 Vortec Overheating, I'm running out of ideas....

Installed the aftermarket temp gauge and let it warm up for 10-15 minutes until it hit 195sh. Ambient temp is in the low 40’s this morning.

Held the thottle at 2k stationary and watched the temp rise to 220 within 2-3 minutes.
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I allowed the truck to idle for another 5 minutes, it dropped a degree or two.

Back on the throttle at 2k rpm’s and it jumped to 230+ and maintained that temp after returning back to idle.
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Handheld temp gun is showing anywhere between 175 and 220 on the head.
 
Lower rad hose is barely warm, upper is hot but I can keep my grasped around it without a problem.
 
skunked said:
Lower rad hose is barely warm, upper is hot but I can keep my grasped around it without a problem.
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My past experience with my big block tells me that you have a bad water pump. I had the same problem with a new NAPA pump back in 2006. Fought it a bunch because everyone said that it should be good since it wasn't a remanufactured unit. I even pulled the intake to put rear bypass ports in up to the thermostat housing.
Finally got pissed enough to buy an expensive Edelbrock pump and all cured. I had heat in the cab with a 160* thermostat when I didn't have heat with the same one while the gauge read 210*.
It wasn't moving the coolant fast enough, I assume because of bypassing the impeller too much.
 
We’ll then it must be the pump unless there’s some sort of blockage in the engine (doubtful at this point).

Time to go dump the coolant for the third time.
 
I have had bad water pumps out of the box. Took the back off of one and the blades were 50% of what they should be. Was a rebuild from Vato Zone.
 
skunked said:
We’ll then it must be the pump unless there’s some sort of blockage in the engine (doubtful at this point).

Time to go dump the coolant for the third time.
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Yup, sucks. When I installed that bad pump, I was just thinking that I would replace it during a cam swap. Didn't have a problem with the old one, just had a case of the MAWs. That led to a BeCool radiator, a couple of thermostats, pulling the intake to drill and tap ports into the back, first Schrader valves to purge, then lines to the T stat housing and finally to the Edelbrock pump. Everyone swore that the new pump wouldn't be a problem, and I didn't trust what I was seeing with the temp gun.

Side note, the BeCool radiator started leaking 2 months after warranty expired, then after repairs failed to hold, it went away.
The was an expensive lesson in several ways.

I have 2 Edelbrock pumps now, both still work well, 2 new Vato zone ones have been good, so far. And a couple of Gates pumps have been good.

Hopefully you get a good one now.
 
It’s been running for 15-20 minutes and it’s not even warming up. I’m guessing the flow has improved and the two holes in the thermostat are working.
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skunked said:
With the engine at 150 degrees I can’t hold onto the upper radiator hose. This bitch is moving fluid now! :saweet:
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No more goat piss in the oil? What was up with the fuel in the oil?
 
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