vortec 454 running hot?

[COCHEV]

So I recently picked up a 97 GMC sierra with the vortec 454 in it. It seems to run on the warm side...210 plus empty. And this weekend I was pulling my 10' enclosed trailer and it got into the 220-225ish range (guessing a bit cause the factory gage leaves a little to the imagination) granted it was in the 90s this weekend, but I was not pulling any grades

New clutch fan, no coolent leaks...

I've heard this engines run hot not only cause they are big blocks but also for the sake of emissions


Comments, questions, concerns...

 

[Cornfield creations]

That truck should have an aux. pusher fan on behind the grill, pass. side. Check to see if it's working. They do run warm, but shouldn't get that hot. If the fan itself works, check the temp. sensor. It's the pass. side head.

 

[K85 Octane]

my families old 97 454 ran warm too
I dropped a bunch on parts to help, it did a little, but meh.
Fan clutch, 180 stat, new hoses, water pump, and fresh coolant. It has helped quite a bit except when towing, then it still gets up to 210-220, even with the heater on. Run some Seafoam through the motor too. Use the booster vent line. Depending on how bad it is, you may end up needing to replace your O2 sensors cause of the crap that will come out. Just saying, a good working motor is a happy motor.

 

[COCHEV]

It does have the little aux pusher fan. I read somewhere that it doesn't kick on until you hit 230. Don't know if that's true or not. It never kicked on all weekend. I'll just keep an eye on er I guess

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[K85 Octane]

pretty sure it works with the AC
at least I think so
mine had the same thing and I've seen it spin, but it was only running temp

 

[Cornfield creations]

The fan is supposed to kick in at higher temps. Ours kicks in at about 215. Also when the a/c is engaged, but doesn't it isn't for a/c only. We found our truck running hot, and after turning it off it would spike to almost 240. Checked the fan and it was bad. Replaced it and it helps keep it cooler, but it still runs at 210. When pulling a heavy box trailer it will run 215 in hot temps.

You can take the grill off, and run power to the fan and see if it works, it may have died.

 

[COCHEV]

Thanks, man, I'll check that out this weekend.

Otherwise I dig the truck. Did you guys have good luck with yours?

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[1-ton]

Every 454 I have ever owned ran hot until I rebuilt it with a lot of personal time put into it deburing and manicuring the entire block. 454 blocks have a lot of casting flash in the coolant block ports, which impedes smooth flow of coolant, thus creating hot spots in the engine which will cause the temp sender to read high temps. I also took the time to thuorely ream out the block water jackets with a garden hose spray nozzle and a coat hanger. There is a lot of crud, which can build up in block water jackets over time. After doing these things my 454 never ran over 180 degrees, no matter what driving conditions I was in.