Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - Temp/thermostat problem in sbc

Hey guys i have a 357 sbc if u didnt read my thread about it... so i have been having some temp problems in the 50+ degree weather but now its cold i dont but i still wanna know whats up so i have a 180 degree thermostat and a 185 degree fan switch for the electric fan so they arent fighting :punch: but my temp has often gone up to 250 while driving :mad: and then gone back down to a normal 180-190 degree operating range... i really dont want to crack a vortec head because my budget doesnt allow another one and i also have a leak right at my thermostat housing and my intake keeps getting its healthy share of antifreeze... there isnt a gasket jst that rubber piece i am gonna put a gasket on it soon but what could be causing my temperature to go sky high and then back down to jst stay there after it went up?:confused:

Air in the system:confused:

I leave my fans on 100% of the time.

Try a new stat or cap.

i could have air in the system but i always make sure i start it up with the rad. cap off and then i cycle it and add more as much as necessary but am going to have my fans wired to a switch in the summer for drag racing but for now i guess it is what it is and that wouldnt really fix my leaky problem but it is a brand new cap b/c my other one was warped and the thermo is brand new but they can go bad....so i guess ill jst put a gasket on there and maybe my 195 that i have and if that works go get a new 180

Yeah fix the leak and add 160* stat dont bother with a 180 Mr Gasket offers a hi flow version for around $12 bucks. Also it could deff be sucking air in from the leaking housing, and how old is the rad and have you ever had it rodded out?

I would REALLY like to see a different carb on it for perfromance, but as far as cruise and milage the Carter will work ok. Nothing to due with the heat issue just preference....

ill switch to a 160 and see what it does and i wondered if it was sucking air from the housing but i have never even touched the old rad it has its green spots :/

but yeah i wanted to go with a 700 or 750 holly double pumper but dad says we need the lean calibrated carter for gas mileage lol but is it still lean calibrated when you can smell fuel out of the exhaust? hahaha

Sounds like he's just trying to keep you out of trouble as you would pick up a fair amount of POWA!

yeah he must be lol cuz i kno hes been there done that on the streets nd all lol