79 vette overheating...plz help!!
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Joined: Aug 2005
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79 vette overheating...plz help!!
Hey guys, i just installed a 350 sb high performance crate motor into my 79 vette, my problem is that the car is overheating...i have a new stock radiator from autozone, and a new stock waterpump, i had to take out the thermostat becuz it was really starting to overheat on the highway. i have the stock clutch fan w/ fan. and i;m using preston 50/50 in the radiator... but its overheating when i drive on the highway...plz help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Newark DE
what is the BTU rating on the Autozone radiator?
did you install the radiator seals?
what is your timing set at and do you have the vacuum advance system hooked up and connected to full manifold vacuum source?
BTW, put the t-stat back in. It does NOT control how hot the motor will run, only it's minimum operating temp.
did you install the radiator seals?
what is your timing set at and do you have the vacuum advance system hooked up and connected to full manifold vacuum source?
BTW, put the t-stat back in. It does NOT control how hot the motor will run, only it's minimum operating temp.
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Cools ok when idling but hot while driving?
That's generally a radiator flow/sealing issue. Either the radiator isn't well sealed, so air is flowing around it; or the radiator capacity isn't sufficient to reject the amount of heat being generated.
That's generally a radiator flow/sealing issue. Either the radiator isn't well sealed, so air is flowing around it; or the radiator capacity isn't sufficient to reject the amount of heat being generated.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Columbia Missouri
Hey guys, i just installed a 350 sb high performance crate motor into my 79 vette, my problem is that the car is overheating...i have a new stock radiator from autozone, and a new stock waterpump, i had to take out the thermostat becuz it was really starting to overheat on the highway. i have the stock clutch fan w/ fan. and i;m using preston 50/50 in the radiator... but its overheating when i drive on the highway...plz help
A front air dam, under the nose, will shovel air up into the front and force it through the radiator while you're moving. This alone will lower your driving temp considerably.
Aside form that, you'll want to do as suggested above and make sure the radiator is sealed well and no air can get over, under, or beside the radiator.
If you're missing any of that insulation, stop off at a Home Depot, and get some air conditioner foam. Cut it to fit the section and glue it in.
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Im not sure what the btu is on the radiator...as of the seals...im not too sure what you are talking about, im guessing the cap? about the timing, im also not too sure about that either, i know i do have the advance hose on. thanks
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Seals:
There are thick (1" x 1" or so) foam seals that go completely around the radiator in a C3. They block the airspace between the rad and the rad support so any air that makes it near the radiator has to go through the radiator and not around.
There are thick (1" x 1" or so) foam seals that go completely around the radiator in a C3. They block the airspace between the rad and the rad support so any air that makes it near the radiator has to go through the radiator and not around.
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Drifting
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From: Seattle Wash.
Follow all the advice Barry K and Durango Boy have suggested. It would serve you well to get the AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) and Service Manual for your year car. The AIM will show you how the car was put together, the Service Manual will tell you how to fix the car.
Regarding the timing, read the sticky on timing the Barry K wrote up on in the tech section. This will help you to understand this important area of having your car perform the way it is supposed to.
Good luck. Let us know if you have any other questions, we're here to help!
Regarding the timing, read the sticky on timing the Barry K wrote up on in the tech section. This will help you to understand this important area of having your car perform the way it is supposed to.
Good luck. Let us know if you have any other questions, we're here to help!
