How hot does your C3 run?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 528
Likes: 146
From: Palmyra NY
How hot does your C3 run?
Mine seems to be running hot after the frame off restoration is complete. I am not sure what it ran before because I never drove it. Today it was about 90 degrees outside, and my car was about 220-230 after a few miles of driving.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
160 with 180 thermostat, stock L48. Apparently I have to coolest running C3 ever. I know the gauge is accurate because I have a 190 thermostatic switch on my electric fan and the one time it kicked on (idling for 20 minutes) the gauge read 190.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 952
Likes: 44
From: NC
185...all the time. I could be sitting in traffic at 95 degrees in humid weather and it wouldnt over heat. I have a stock 73 L-48 that was converted to a 4 speed, so I have the big automadic radiator...plus I installed the biggest fan clutch ever 
Same here and that is with a blown bigblock.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
Likes: 2
From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Originally Posted by 80TexasC3
Have been averaging 220 - 230 with 383... am installing a 160 degree thermo to see if I can driveit down. Already has a Dewitt and dual SPALs.
I have an all stock setup with a 160 stat.. new rediator and it never gets over 160
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,971
Likes: 7
From: Longwood Florida
IS it me are most of the late 70 cars running hot because of the gauges that are used?
It seems to me that these electrical gauges are off 10-15 degrees?
What is this about a replacement mechanical gauge? Does it look factory?
It seems to me that these electrical gauges are off 10-15 degrees?
What is this about a replacement mechanical gauge? Does it look factory?
