Overheating in an 80
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Overheating in an 80
have a 1980, we just went through the motor, nothing crazy just freshened it up a little, little hotter ignition, headers, no head work, gm performance intake manifold. and a few other small things..
now the problem is that around town it gets to about 230* that's with an outside air temp of only 50*. on the hi-way it gets up to about 210 put some flexlite electric fans, didn't seem to do anything, pulled the thermostat, still nothing. the car does have a formula kit on it with a lower front clip.
any help on problem solving, or any ideas would help.
now the problem is that around town it gets to about 230* that's with an outside air temp of only 50*. on the hi-way it gets up to about 210 put some flexlite electric fans, didn't seem to do anything, pulled the thermostat, still nothing. the car does have a formula kit on it with a lower front clip.
any help on problem solving, or any ideas would help.
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
No thermostat, belts are all correct pump "looked" fine had heads gone through at machine shop. The fan shroud is there. I'm thinking its an air flow problem with that formula kit. But don't want to take it off
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
try using a thermostat. it is possible that the water is flowing through the radiator too fast and not being cooled. it's a stretch but you never know.
does the formula bumper have a chin spoiler to direct air up to the radiator?
Can you post a pic?
does the formula bumper have a chin spoiler to direct air up to the radiator?
Can you post a pic?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
As qwank said, post pics...third Gen Camaros and Firebirds were notorious for overheating IF their flat air fence was missing...it was a flat panel that bolted to bottom of shroud to direct air upward...did you have that nose on it before? or is that also a new edition...(not the band)
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
If you went to some of the racing design aluminum radiators, they are thicker across the core and they say that it hold more. But it is harder to get airflow through it and thus you overheat. Be sure it really moves air through the core.
Check for pressure leaks. Pressure dropping off will raise the temperature.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Got to go through the steps:
Radiator and shroud seals in place?
Air Dam in place?
What is your timing set at?
Is the spring in the lower radiator hose?
Unless you put on a johnny space rocket high volume water pump the problem ill not be to much coolant movement.
The air dam pushes air into the radiator while your driving. If the seals are not all there to block the gaps around the radiator the air will bypass the radiator, negating it.
If you put on electric fans, they should be pulling air through the radiator when they come on, same deal with the seals, the fan setup has to be sealed to the radiator for it to pull all the air through the rad. Are your fans running the right direction?
Radiator and shroud seals in place?
Air Dam in place?
What is your timing set at?
Is the spring in the lower radiator hose?
Unless you put on a johnny space rocket high volume water pump the problem ill not be to much coolant movement.
The air dam pushes air into the radiator while your driving. If the seals are not all there to block the gaps around the radiator the air will bypass the radiator, negating it.
If you put on electric fans, they should be pulling air through the radiator when they come on, same deal with the seals, the fan setup has to be sealed to the radiator for it to pull all the air through the rad. Are your fans running the right direction?