1995 Silverado Temp.

I was looking at a 1995 silverado extended cab long bed with a 7.4 today. It has a few issues but I was curiouse about operating temp. I've never owned a big block but the temp was running at 210. Is this normal for a 454? Or should it be more around 180-190 like most V8's.

How warm was it outside and where you running the a/c?

Must GM vehicles won't even turn the electric fans on until the coolant is over 220 degrees. On a hot day a vehicle will run a little hotter especially with the a/c on as the condensor transfers a huge amount of heat.

How warm was it outside and where you running the a/c?

Must GM vehicles won't even turn the electric fans on until the coolant is over 220 degrees. On a hot day a vehicle will run a little hotter especially with the a/c on as the condensor transfers a huge amount of heat.]]


It was about 70dgr no humidity and I the ac was on. I didnt look at the fan ,but I would think it was a clutch fan.

I believe the stock tstat is 195. The gauge could be off a little.

//2000CAYukon

It opens at 190 degrees + or - but that doesn't mean it will keep the temp of the vehicle at a 190 degrees. The temp the vehicle runs at depends greatly on things like on ambient temperature, how hard the engine is working, and the efficiency the cooling system.

I know yours is a fan clutch but I was just making the point that GM fans, when equiped, don't turn of until the coolant temp is over 220 degrees. 240 is pushing a fine line. 260 or hotter and your asking for trouble.

Ok ,well thx for the info.

Ok ,well thx for the info.


On this type vehicle this temp is too high ....as you have stated 190 deg range is normal ....this could mean problems.. I would find another vehicle to consider buying..

I have the same truck- a dually- that temp does not scare me! There is an auxillary electric fan out front that comes on if temp gets too high..on a 454

I have a 02 - 8.1 with about 120,000 miles. The temp gauge reads consistantly around 192 - 195. Fully loaded or empty. Mid summer or dead winter.

Scanner reads temp from computer at about the same.

210 seems a bit high. I would be a little concerned, but it may be just the gauge.

I have an inexpensive infared thermometer, also reads about the same as my gauge.

Good Luck

have y'all considered a simple thought: someone put a high temp thermostate on this thing for whatever reasons? they do open at 220, i believe.

as of remark that fans don't even come up unless it's 220, then mine is strange, as fan kicks in at startup cold engine. every v8 i have seen so far does same, that's why they sound like tanks when strarting cold. why they do it? have no idea, but fan goes away in several minutes of warm up. how does that improve warm up? have no idea.
but it's a frigging symphony performed by bolshoy theater orchestra when those start. i like it thou, sounds very powerful.:lol2: :lol2: :runaround:

have y'all considered a simple thought: someone put a high temp thermostate on this thing for whatever reasons? they do open at 220, i believe.

as of remark that fans don't even come up unless it's 220, then mine is strange, as fan kicks in at startup cold engine. every v8 i have seen so far does same, that's why they sound like tanks when strarting cold. why they do it? have no idea, but fan goes away in several minutes of warm up. how does that improve warm up? have no idea.
but it's a frigging symphony performed by bolshoy theater orchestra when those start. i like it thou, sounds very powerful.:lol2: :lol2: :runaround:


IN the attempt to force more power out of an engine lower T stats are used,,,,but why in hell would someone want to use an engine cooker T stat that would not be very smart...especially where this setup is used for heavy duty use....this setup also has a clutch fan and a defective T stat or a damaged coolant system is most likely whats up here ..


I wouldn't considering buying it with all these gas guzzlers on the market at well below book value...


warm up is dependent on T stat closing off the coolant flow ...not the rated regulated value...

Well thx for the input guys. I was gonna buy it for $4500 and according to the book price it reails at $6000 for low retail. Other than the few issues I asked about it's a really nice truck. I just don't want to buy something I have to start dumping money into.

Well thx for the input guys. I was gonna buy it for $4500 and according to the book price it reails at $6000 for low retail. Other than the few issues I asked about it's a really nice truck. I just don't want to buy something I have to start dumping money into.


since you live in farm country I guess that trucks get a higher resale value....where I live a 95 silverado will not sell at 4500.....the used vehicle lots have many niece truck/suv available at well below book value...


the small cars that get good MPG are hard to find here , and get top dollar values.. many lots only have trucks...

you'll find another vehicle with hopefully no issues good luck in your search,,,,

as of remark that fans don't even come up unless it's 220, then mine is strange, as fan kicks in at startup cold engine. every v8 i have seen so far does same, that's why they sound like tanks when strarting cold. why they do it? have no idea, but fan goes away in several minutes of warm up. how does that improve warm up? have no idea.

I think the fans the other posts are speaking of are electric ones which kick on at around 220. My '98 Sub 7.4 has this AUX electric fan and it works as advertised. As for the engine driven fan it is normal when cold for it to make a lot of noise until the fluid in the hub warms up (1-3 miles) and then quiet down as the fan slows its rotation. This fan is also temp regulated and will re-engage when the temp gets above a certain level.

As far as warm up, that is controlled by the t-stat as "j caT" said.

have y'all considered a simple thought: someone put a high temp thermostate on this thing for whatever reasons? they do open at 220, i believe.

as of remark that fans don't even come up unless it's 220, then mine is strange, as fan kicks in at startup cold engine. every v8 i have seen so far does same, that's why they sound like tanks when strarting cold. why they do it? have no idea, but fan goes away in several minutes of warm up. how does that improve warm up? have no idea.
but it's a frigging symphony performed by bolshoy theater orchestra when those start. i like it thou, sounds very powerful.:lol2: :lol2: :runaround:

Perhaps the previous owner lived in extreme cold weather and needed a warmer temp to get the truck to operate at normal temp.