Get information on Eagle, GMC, Prevost, MCI and other bus conversionsRV and bus conversion info since 1996.
Share Your Feedback    
       
 
  PRINT PAGE 
 
 
RV Classifieds
  2000 Holiday Rambler Vacationer - $57,000
  1998 WINNEBAGO 37W - $39,995
  1998 FOREST RIVER 2308 - $5,495
  2001 Carriage Cameo - $37,500
  2006 FLEETWOOD TIMBERLAKE - $8,995
  VIEW ALL
  Search RV Classifieds  
  Classifieds Policies
  Benefits for Dealers  
  Sell Your RV  
  Dealer Signup  
 

Useful Links
 
RV Community
  Discussion Groups  
  RV Articles  
  RV FAQs  
  RV Classified Ads  
  Virtual RV Park  
  Shop at our Store  
  RV Lifestyle Books  
  Rate Your RV  
AllThingsRV.com
  MyRVGuide.com  
  RVMechanic.com  
Advertise With Us
BECOME A MEMBER
RV Resources
Best Rate RV Loans
e RV Loans
Visit Rio Rancho, NM for Winter
  RV Dealers  
  RV Manufacturers  
  RV Rentals  
  RV Glossary  
  RV Types  
  RV Ratings  
 

Winnebago chieftain 454 overheating?

Home > Discussion Forum > Mechanic's Corner - Engines

Email Author email JOHN HERBERT  Reply to Message reply to message  Post New Message post new message      search forums
hidden layer
ATTENTION: All Postings that advertise items for sale will be deleted from the Discussion Forum. You may post sale items for free in the Classifieds section. Sign up now.
All Messages in ThreadAuthorDate
Winnebago chieftain 454 overheating? JOHN HERBERT 8-29-01  
I have a chevy 454 in a 82 class A Winnebago motorhome. After suspecting that the engine was running hot, I put in a stewart/warner temp gauge in the engine block replacing the original. On a 90 degree day up a gradual incline at 55mph, the temp approaches 220 degrees. After going over the hill and coming down (with less load) the temp comes back to 215 degrees. I had put in a heavy duty new radiator this spring and was hoping that this would keep the engine running cooler. Should I be concerned with it running these temps? I have seen a lot of discussion about fan clutches kicking in around 210 degrees. I know my clutch has not kicked in this summer since I have put the new radiator in. Is 220 degrees too high? Should my fan clutch be kicking in? If the temp is running too high, is my lack of fan clutch kicking in most likely the reason? What replacement brand fan clutch would you recommend?
Re: Winnebago chieftain 454 overheating? togi 8-10-07  
Look just change the fan clutch
Re: winnebago chieftain 454 overheating? Perry 8-31-01  
John, In dealing with all of the RAT motors that chev builds we have found that if the timing is off a littli bit it will cause an overheating problem. you didn't say what type of fan clutch you had ie viscous or air. you definitly did the right thing in replaceing the temp gauge with a stewart warner unit. all the 366,427,454 and such operate at a much higher temp than the fords or chryslers. Keep trucking, PM
Re: winnebago chieftain 454 overheating? Russel 8-30-01  
I have a chevy 454 in a 82 class A Winnebago motorhome. After suspecting that the engine was running hot, I put in a stewart/warner temp gauge in the engine block replacing the original. On a 90 degree day up a gradual incline at 55mph, the temp approaches 220 degrees.

220 is not an excessive temperature. Especially when you consider where the thermal for the guage is, right between two exhaust ports in the head. (if you put it in in place of the original). A stock spec fan clutch will come on strong at about 230. Assuming you have a 195 thermostat, (which is good) you are running about normal.
Re: winnebago chieftain 454 overheating? JOHN H 9-3-01  
John, In dealing with all of the RAT motors that chev builds we have found that if the timing is off a littli bit it will cause an overheating problem. you didn't say what type of fan clutch you had ie viscous or air. you definitly did the right thing in replaceing the temp gauge with a stewart warner unit. all the 366,427,454 and such operate at a much higher temp than the fords or chryslers. Keep trucking, PM

Perry, thanks for your suggestion. I am new to fan clutches and really don't know how to know whether I have a viscous or air clutch. I am going to tune the engine and see how that effects the temp. It has been running well, yet I am sure a good tune could only help. Thanks again!

John
Re: winnebago chieftain 454 overheating? JOHN H 8-30-01  
To Russel Thanks, for your followup, that's a big relief! I was disappointed after spending the money on the new radiator, but now feel as though I'm okay. The fan clutch used to kick in before I put the new radiator in and yet I didn't really know what my running temp was with the original stock gauge. From what I recall, I never really drove the motorhome in serious hot weather after I put the stewart warner gauge in. I did replace the original in the same location (between the two exhaust ports). Thanks again.

Relieved,

John


I have a chevy 454 in a 82 class A Winnebago motorhome. After suspecting that the engine was running hot, I put in a stewart/warner temp gauge in the engine block replacing the original. On a 90 degree day up a gradual incline at 55mph, the temp approaches 220 degrees.

220 is not an excessive temperature. Especially when you consider where the thermal for the guage is, right between two exhaust ports in the head. (if you put it in in place of the original). A stock spec fan clutch will come on strong at about 230. Assuming you have a 195 thermostat, (which is good) you are running about normal.
Re: 84 HRC running hot alcarroll 9-17-07  
I have a chevvy 454 in a HRC Imperial. On a return trip home I noticed that the temp had risen to about 210. It has normally run about 190. After doing the usual things, changing the hoses, fan clutch and water pump. It still continued to run hot. At this point I installed a larger radiator and all electric fans. Still no help. I did have an Edlebrock timing control on it and I removed it and no help. The faster that I drive it the hotter it gets. I have used all sorts of thermostats in it. From a Catapillar thermostat to a 160 degree thermostat.
I am at my wits end with this problem,. And I hate to admit it but I am and ASE Master Tech with 44 years in the field. But if anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate them. I did remove the heads and had them checked for cracks and they were ok.
gain Thank you for any help at all
Al CArroll
Re: 84 HRC running hot Peter Bouchier 9-17-07  
Al, have you solved the problem yet? I have a similar situation with an '87 Rockwood. It climes to almost hot and the oil temp climes to over 260 on a steep long grade (The Grapevine, CA). They drop dramatically when no load. I too put in the largest rad, new water pump, themostat. I'm not an expert, but it seems from all the info I have gathered, those puppies run hot!
And I'm not towing anything.

Be interested in your findings.

Thanks, Peter
Required fields in red
For more info about a field, place your mouse over the More Info icon.
Subject:
Your Name:
Your Email:
Message:



Code is case-sensitive. Helps stop SPAM.
       



Visit Rio Rancho, NM
PRIVACY POLICY  |  TERMS & CONDITIONS  |  © 1996 - 2008 RV-Coach Network - All Rights Reserved  |  Web Site by ITtelligent