80 vette cooling problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
80 vette cooling problem
I put on a waterpump and ditched the electric one i still have flexlite temp controlled fans i have no shroud or airdam and valance underneath new radiator and hoses. Car runs at 200 temp all day at speeds of under 50 mph about 1900 rpm or on the highway at speed temp slowly climbs until it overheats do i need to have a shroud when i put on the air dam and valance if i need a shroud with the air dam i want to go original getting a fan cluth and fan and ditch the electric any expertise would be appreciated thanks first time vette owner
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
you need an airdam no matter what and the seals around the radiator no matter what kinf of fan rig you have. Start with those and you might be able to get away without a shroud. The electric fans are more than able to keep it cool, but the air must have a way to force it thru the radiator, not around it. A shroud would be good to have, but maybe not necessary. Seals and air dam are required.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
From my experience with the 80 to 82 design you only have two options.
Go with the stock shroud and it must seal to the rad or it will put air around it and not cool enough. I repeat it must seal fully to the rad with not air leaks.
The other option is a dewitts aluminum rad and their twin electric fan kit. I now run this and it works great.
Go with the stock shroud and it must seal to the rad or it will put air around it and not cool enough. I repeat it must seal fully to the rad with not air leaks.
The other option is a dewitts aluminum rad and their twin electric fan kit. I now run this and it works great.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
I also have the Dewitts setup. They use a Spal Electric Fan setup its probably about the same as other setups so if yours is of the same design it will probably work to. How old is that Radiator. Was the water clean the first time you opened it ? Could be its getting Clogged. Ditto on the Air Dam and Seals around it mentioned above.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
If Tdino has a similar/possible set up as one of these after market dewitts, Maybe a picture of that setup would be beneficial for him/us to see. All the talk of shrouds/seals for fans. I am thinking of the stock shroud for the mechnical fan, which is large. The shrouds for the electric fan only set up, from what I remember are much smaller, but I could be mistaken.
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