383 Chevy Express Towing

**Fast355** · 08-23-2023

What I built my 383 for in the van. Towing 6K behind the 7K van. 383 has loads of torque. Surprises me how much of a grade it has to have in front of it to cause the 4L85E to come out of overdrive even with a 3.73 gear. I could step up to 4.10s, but my future plans include a 6L90E before long. I tried electric fans on it first, had to go back to a good old clutch fan to keep the engine cool, which I was refering to in my comment on the video. Clutch fan keeps the engine right at ~200°F with a 195° thermostat.

https://youtube.com/shorts/xtH17jWIbHI?feature=share

**dfarr67** · 08-25-2023

I have a GMT400- I don't work it like you do. There was a 454cid in the mix as an option in those years and that's the alum radiator I run with vette fans. No issues.

**Fast355** · 08-27-2023

Originally Posted by dfarr67

I have a GMT400- I don't work it like you do. There was a 454cid in the mix as an option in those years and that's the alum radiator I run with vette fans. No issues.

Vans have weird radiator dimensions. I have a dual core 1993-1995 G30 454 radiator in it. Its less than 1" wider in the core and fits the OE SBC shroud.

**dfarr67** · 08-27-2023

Was recording bits of knock (false or not), changed out the Evans for regular antifreeze- and that alone cut it by 50%. Need to get it retuned with 'knock ears' I think it may be just a noisey engine.