SkinnyB

My 1958 Corvette constantly runs hot. I have replaced the thermostat and the radiator has been rodded out. Has anyone experienced this problem? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix it?

59BlueSilver

How hot, verified by what? Low speed or high or both? Have you verified the temp with a laser thermometer? What's your fan & shroud setup? Need a lot more info...

PattiR

Check your lower hose for collapse. I did everything else on my'57 before I looked at this, and sure enough a hose that looked good was collapsing at temperature. Gates does not make them with the spring inside to give more support. I went with a universal with a molded in spring and no more overheating, Just my experience though,
There are a lot of things that can cause overheating.
Dennis

rfn026

My problem is my gauge.

Have you actually checked the temps with an infrared scan tool?

Record the upper and lower hose temperatures. Then check the temperatures at about 3 different places on the radiator.



Richard Newton
How Hot is Hot?

hope2

lower hose should have spring to prevent collapse as water pump sucks. as mentioned, check actual temp, sending units are all over the place. other less likely causes; water pump worn out, timing, obstruction in motor, obstruction is air flow.

SkinnyB

Verified by the temperature gauge. It runs hot at idle. No I have not verified with a laser thermometer. Fan & Shroud are stock, as well as everything on the car.

jimh_1962

What is running hot? What are the temps?

SkinnyB

Thanks I will look at it

SkinnyB

When running gauge sits at 180, after the second red light (in this case) it climbed between 200-220. Once
Light turned green and we started moving the gauge showed it cooling down to 180.

59BlueSilver

Not enough airflow obviously. Do you have a clutch fan?

jimh_1962

It goes down to 180 so thats good. Is there a harbor freight close to you? If so head over there and get a IR gun. Then you will know for sure whether or not you are running hot.
Not sure on a 58 but how is your fan setup? Is it aligned right with the fan shroud.

Mine will run about 180 to 210 which to me seems fine. Last Saturday night, it was nice and cool. My corvette never went above 180. I am running a clutch fan.

Also, how is the spacing around the fan? You might just need to make sure your fan shroud and fan setup is good to go.

Otherwise, if you are worried about the radiator then replace it with a dewitts radiator and never look back for awhile. Though, from the sounds of it the radiator is working fine. Thermostat is working.

Get an IR gun and check it at idle.

SkinnyB

No I have not done that, thanks for the suggestion- I will have to try this.

59 navy

I put in a Dewitts radiator. No problem now 59 navy