C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 10:22 AM
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i just picked a 79 needs work, the temp running just over 220 is that normal? help

toni
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 10:39 AM
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Sounds kinda hot if you were crusin down the highway. Stop and go on a hot day, maybe not.

Gary
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 10:42 AM
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Do you have the front spoiler/ air dam? It will run hot at higher speeds without it.
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 11:17 AM
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My front spoiler is missing, and mine runs around that 220 or under mark. Never over, just around right on the money. Never had an overheating problem with it. Ran 3 straight days of 1300 mile driving and stopping up/down Route 66 last year without issue. I do have a new radiator however. Still no heat issues. With the motor that is. Inside the cockpit, that's a whole other story.
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 11:33 AM
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When in doubt, flush the system. Chances are that if you just got it, it hasn't been done in years. Easy afternoon project that is not expensive or difficult & its not going to hurt anything to have some fresh fluids.
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 12:09 PM
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i live az and its really hard to keep car cool hear ,it has only 58,500 miles and runs and sounds ok needs more mechanical work,had it flushed just 2wks ago still doing repairs.
my drive to and from work about 25miles and by the time i'm almost home temp just past 220 my air does not work yet so it's hot as hell in there
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 12:56 PM
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our 79 l-48 runs at 190. even on a 2 mile parade rt. at 2 mph.
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by air53az
i just picked a 79 needs work, the temp running just over 220 is that normal? help

toni
In general, here's what to think about regarding the cooling system:

Radiator
Fan and Fan Clutch Assembly
Water Pump
Thermostat
Coolant/Fluid Level
Spoiler
Radiator Foam Seals
Radiator Hoses
Radiator Cap (15psi)
Temp Sender and Temp Gauge

I'm thinking 220 is to high. Confirm temp using an IR Gun first. Then troubleshoot from there...
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 03:16 PM
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One question. How accurate are these gauges anyway? Especially after 30 years.
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 05:33 PM
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My 79 runs from 200 to 220 all the time and up to this point I have had no overheating problems....
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 06:33 PM
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I have a Dewitts aluminum radiator, Stewart Stage 2 aluminum water pump, a 180 degree Robertshaw high performance thermostat, the front 79 rubber air dam, and the lower radiator hose with the correct spring on my 78 L-82 4 speed and it will run 180 on the highway and about 160 around town all day with no pollution control at all and 2.5 inch true duals with shorty headers. It used to run 220 on the highway with the stock cooling system (brass radiator and stock type water pump, everything else the same) and 190 around town on a 90 degree day. The 75-80 L-82's all run hot (220 + is normal on the highway and cooler around town, opposite what you would think). The L-48's from this era run much cooler probably since they do not make as much horsepower, have a much milder cam and a lower compression ratio which the smog heads are better at cooling. The motor is stock with 64,000 miles except roller rockers. Hope that this helps!

Last edited by jb78L-82; Jun 2, 2009 at 07:03 PM.
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 07:42 PM
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thank you al,l i know a lot more now.and know what to look for with out getting riped off since i cant do the work my self ,its hard to find honest mechanics and ones that like to work on these cars.in ny i knew people here in az not to many, so thank you all
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Old Jun 2, 2009 | 07:44 PM
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i have also encounterd vapor lock twice but have gotten that taken care of had to get towed both times
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