1977 L-48 Corvette Overheating problem
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
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1977 L-48 Corvette Overheating problem
I am looking for some help. My dad and I rebuilt a 77 corvette that had an L48 in it, we put a Comp Cam with roller rockers in it, ported and polished the heads so that they matched an L82, an LT-1 Intake, Road Demon Carberator, New Aluminum radiator, and new pistons and connecting rods. We rebuilt the engine in 1998 and drive it maybe 1,000 miles a year or so. We put electric fans on it to try and keep it running cool. At that time we left the radiator shroud off. Now the electric fans have quit working and there is no shroud. If we run the car for five minutes ideling in the driveway it begins to overheat. If we were to put the regular fan on the car and get a shroud for it would it take care of the problem? It has always run a little warm but never in the red. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: salisbury missouri
I would try to get the fans working again and flush out the radiator.
also check thermastate might be stiking 1000 miles a year is nothing could be gunky radiator or thermastate.(flush it real good)
this might fix it,it is what i would do first
also check thermastate might be stiking 1000 miles a year is nothing could be gunky radiator or thermastate.(flush it real good)
this might fix it,it is what i would do first
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Any way you can get adequate airflow through the radiator will solve your problem (you still might have a thermostat problem). You can make your own shroud out of sheet aluminum, etc.; you can put stock stuff back in; you can fix the electric fans. Any of those should do the job. The first task is to remove the thermostat and see if it still gets hot. If not, just get a new hi-flow 180F thermostat.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Now the electric fans have quit working and there is no shroud. If we run the car for five minutes ideling in the driveway it begins to overheat. If we were to put the regular fan on the car and get a shroud for it would it take care of the problem? It has always run a little warm but never in the red. Does anyone have any suggestions?
The 7 blade fan needs to be used esp. if A/C & there is a heavy duty clutch available.
