BeCool, Griffin, Electric fans or not??? NEED an upgrade!!
08-14-2001, 06:08 PM
#21
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Re: BeCool, Griffin, Electric fans or not??? NEED an upgrade!! (Jay M)
Jay, your temperatures don't seem to be that out of line. In traffic or at freeway speeds your temps should be around 200-210, when outside air is 80-85F.
Check the owners manual for your 69, it will tell you that 210 is normal operating temp, and not to get worried until it gets into 230-240 range.
Before you spend $500, go to a radiator shop, have the whole cooling system flushed. Then inspect your shroud and radiator seals. If the seals are missing you will never get the car cooler with a stock radiator.
Another thing that is missing from many 68-69 'vettes is the small plastic spoiler that bolts under the chin. Check the parts catalogs they are inexpensive and no problem to bolt on to the fiberglass. The spoiler is designed to force more air through your radiator at highway speeds.
Another thing to check is the clutch on your fan. Drive the car until it gets plenty warm (200-210) then shut it off. Raise the hood and try and spin the fan, if it spins fairly freely then it is shot and should be replaced.
Final thing to check is that you have no more than 50% anti-freeze in your cooling system. Water will give up heat much better than anti-freeze. You could probably get by with as little as 20 or 30% anti-freeze in your climate. The rest of the mixture should be distilled water. Add a bottle of Water Wetter if you want, it will drop the temps a few degrees.
Check all these things before you drop $500 on a new radiator. The aluminum radiator will make up for a lot of deficencies in your cooling system just because it is much more efficient.
Check the owners manual for your 69, it will tell you that 210 is normal operating temp, and not to get worried until it gets into 230-240 range.
Before you spend $500, go to a radiator shop, have the whole cooling system flushed. Then inspect your shroud and radiator seals. If the seals are missing you will never get the car cooler with a stock radiator.
Another thing that is missing from many 68-69 'vettes is the small plastic spoiler that bolts under the chin. Check the parts catalogs they are inexpensive and no problem to bolt on to the fiberglass. The spoiler is designed to force more air through your radiator at highway speeds.
Another thing to check is the clutch on your fan. Drive the car until it gets plenty warm (200-210) then shut it off. Raise the hood and try and spin the fan, if it spins fairly freely then it is shot and should be replaced.
Final thing to check is that you have no more than 50% anti-freeze in your cooling system. Water will give up heat much better than anti-freeze. You could probably get by with as little as 20 or 30% anti-freeze in your climate. The rest of the mixture should be distilled water. Add a bottle of Water Wetter if you want, it will drop the temps a few degrees.
Check all these things before you drop $500 on a new radiator. The aluminum radiator will make up for a lot of deficencies in your cooling system just because it is much more efficient.
