C3 Corvette heating up?
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C3 Corvette heating up?
Hi, new member here, first post too.
So I have a '79 Corvette, and I've been reading on the forums about how you guys fixed your heating problems. My car is generally cool when idling (I live in Florida so that's good) except when I take it out, and I get stuck in traffic, which is ALL the time, it heats up to 220.
From what I've read, I understand that 220 is nothing to be alarmed about but is there anything I can do to cool it down?
So far it has a new aluminum radiator and a new thermostat that's supposed to open up at 160, yet it still gets to 220 during normal use.
So I have a '79 Corvette, and I've been reading on the forums about how you guys fixed your heating problems. My car is generally cool when idling (I live in Florida so that's good) except when I take it out, and I get stuck in traffic, which is ALL the time, it heats up to 220.
From what I've read, I understand that 220 is nothing to be alarmed about but is there anything I can do to cool it down?
So far it has a new aluminum radiator and a new thermostat that's supposed to open up at 160, yet it still gets to 220 during normal use.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
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not sure how much help i will be but when i rebuilt my top end when i took off the old intake the water ports closest to the cab of the car were corroded to where no water passed, got it all cleaned and ran 30 degrees cooler, other than that I have a 4 core rad and no ac runs excellent. maybe even check your gooseneck thermostat and waterpump thats all I can think of
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
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Not only does the shroud have to be in place, but the rubber foam seals between the radiator and the shroud need to be in place. Also the front spoiler. They force any air coming into the front of the car to flow through the radiator.
Make sure your timing and carb mix is right, as well.
IMHO, a 160 degree thermostat is not hot enough. Compromise with a 180.
Make sure your timing and carb mix is right, as well.
IMHO, a 160 degree thermostat is not hot enough. Compromise with a 180.
Last edited by gcusmano74; Dec 9, 2011 at 10:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Most folks who post complaining of overheating issues say they overheat on the highway, which is a different issue than overheating in traffic. I would say the first thing to check would be the radiator fan, they slip when they get worn out, and don't pull as much air. When you are driving around, air is being pushed thru the radiator by the speed of the car, but in traffic, it relies purely on the radiator fan. Make sure the fan shroud is sealed against the radiator well, too. Basically, you need to "think like air". Examine the area around the radiator, and seal up any place that air can go except thru the radiator. This keeps air from "sneeking around" the radiator. The advice about moving up to a 180* thermostat is good advice, too. Make sure your radiator cap is holding pressure, too. That's about all I have for ya, good luck, and keep us posted, we want to know how the whole thing turns out, OK?
Scott
Scott
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Thank you all so much for the advice, I'll be sure to check on that stuff tomorrow.
I had forgotten a few things though, firstly, let me mention I am no mechanic. I am 18 years old, (I'm sure you all just shuttered at the thought of someone like me owning one of these.
) and I've never been a very big car guy. Anywho, It's my first car and I am its second owner.
I was told it hadn't been run since 2001 which is why the interior and so forth was in such bad shape but the worst part (mechanically) is that the engine is FULL of... I don't even know what it's called. I mean, it looks as if someone took a bucket of paint chips and dumped it in, so I'm assuming that may be one of the reasons as to why it's so messed up.
When I first got it, it had no thermostat and worked slightly cooler because of it but when it became heated it BOILED which obviously wasn't going to work. The first thermostat we bought was a 180 one, and it locked up in about 2 weeks with no major use. As I previously mentioned it currently has a 160 and so far so good... or rather "okay".
I'll be sure to let you all know how this turns out and again, thanks.
I had forgotten a few things though, firstly, let me mention I am no mechanic. I am 18 years old, (I'm sure you all just shuttered at the thought of someone like me owning one of these.
) and I've never been a very big car guy. Anywho, It's my first car and I am its second owner.I was told it hadn't been run since 2001 which is why the interior and so forth was in such bad shape but the worst part (mechanically) is that the engine is FULL of... I don't even know what it's called. I mean, it looks as if someone took a bucket of paint chips and dumped it in, so I'm assuming that may be one of the reasons as to why it's so messed up.
When I first got it, it had no thermostat and worked slightly cooler because of it but when it became heated it BOILED which obviously wasn't going to work. The first thermostat we bought was a 180 one, and it locked up in about 2 weeks with no major use. As I previously mentioned it currently has a 160 and so far so good... or rather "okay".
I'll be sure to let you all know how this turns out and again, thanks.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 121
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Thank you all so much for the advice, I'll be sure to check on that stuff tomorrow.
I had forgotten a few things though, firstly, let me mention I am no mechanic. I am 18 years old, (I'm sure you all just shuttered at the thought of someone like me owning one of these.) and I've never been a very big car guy. Anywho, It's my first car and I am its second owner.
I was told it hadn't been run since 2001 which is why the interior and so forth was in such bad shape but the worst part (mechanically) is that the engine is FULL of... I don't even know what it's called. I mean, it looks as if someone took a bucket of paint chips and dumped it in, so I'm assuming that may be one of the reasons as to why it's so messed up.
When I first got it, it had no thermostat and worked slightly cooler because of it but when it became heated it BOILED which obviously wasn't going to work. The first thermostat we bought was a 180 one, and it locked up in about 2 weeks with no major use. As I previously mentioned it currently has a 160 and so far so good... or rather "okay".
I'll be sure to let you all know how this turns out and again, thanks.
I had forgotten a few things though, firstly, let me mention I am no mechanic. I am 18 years old, (I'm sure you all just shuttered at the thought of someone like me owning one of these.
) and I've never been a very big car guy. Anywho, It's my first car and I am its second owner.I was told it hadn't been run since 2001 which is why the interior and so forth was in such bad shape but the worst part (mechanically) is that the engine is FULL of... I don't even know what it's called. I mean, it looks as if someone took a bucket of paint chips and dumped it in, so I'm assuming that may be one of the reasons as to why it's so messed up.
When I first got it, it had no thermostat and worked slightly cooler because of it but when it became heated it BOILED which obviously wasn't going to work. The first thermostat we bought was a 180 one, and it locked up in about 2 weeks with no major use. As I previously mentioned it currently has a 160 and so far so good... or rather "okay".
I'll be sure to let you all know how this turns out and again, thanks.
I was 19 when I bought my first car 1981 CORVETTE! (That was last year
)
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Racer
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Are you running straight water? Boiling isn't good at all, will cause detonation.
Dual electric fans will surely help or you could look into Evans coolant. It's waterless, has very high boiling point (over 300 degrees) and will help with detonation issues.
Dual electric fans will surely help or you could look into Evans coolant. It's waterless, has very high boiling point (over 300 degrees) and will help with detonation issues.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Someone took the thermostat out because they were having a cooling problem prior to you getting it .
Id look into the fan as other said and do a pressure test (cooling system) and leakdown test on your engine.
If it all proves sound then get some real coolant in there
Being as youre in Fla where its hot a lot dont see any harm with a 160 thats all I run here in Ca.
Id look into the fan as other said and do a pressure test (cooling system) and leakdown test on your engine.
If it all proves sound then get some real coolant in there
Being as youre in Fla where its hot a lot dont see any harm with a 160 thats all I run here in Ca.
Thread Starter
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By the way, everything, except the aforementioned radiator as well as the exhausts, are the original parts from when it came off the assembly line in '79.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
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From: Schaumburg IL
Welcome and welcome to the world of C3 vette issues. What has been said is all there. Start with the basics: clean radiator inside and out (flush it out and change the anti freeze if you have not), seals all around the shroud and frame, stock fan and fan clutch that works, a good 180 degree thermostat, and the timing set to spec and go from there. Oh, if you have or can borrow a temp gun, ck the actual temp at idle at the upper radiator hose and at the lower hose (be careful). Temp on upper should be what the thermostat is running at or slightly higher and the lower hose should be at least a 30-40 degree drop. That will tell you if the radiator is flowing and cooling.
Last edited by bigvette1; Dec 10, 2011 at 02:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Being as his problem is at speed (usually the other way around) wondering it one of his radiator hoses arent collapsing on him
OP stick that sucker in park get your revs up hold it there then carefully watch your hoses, mainly the lower where it comes out of the water pump.
OP stick that sucker in park get your revs up hold it there then carefully watch your hoses, mainly the lower where it comes out of the water pump.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Being as his problem is at speed (usually the other way around) wondering it one of his radiator hoses arent collapsing on him
OP stick that sucker in park get your revs up hold it there then carefully watch your hoses, mainly the lower where it comes out of the water pump.
OP stick that sucker in park get your revs up hold it there then carefully watch your hoses, mainly the lower where it comes out of the water pump.
Scott
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If it's running at 220F and he only has plain water in it, the "coolant" is boiling. You can't cool much with steam pockets in the engine.
OP needs to drain some water and put a gallon of anti-freeze {100% antifreeze....not the "pre-mixed" stuff} in with the water to get near a 50/50 mix. That will raise the boiling point of the coolant to around 240F so that the coolant will stay in a liquid state, anyway.
Then, install a 180F stat and try it out.
OP needs to drain some water and put a gallon of anti-freeze {100% antifreeze....not the "pre-mixed" stuff} in with the water to get near a 50/50 mix. That will raise the boiling point of the coolant to around 240F so that the coolant will stay in a liquid state, anyway.
Then, install a 180F stat and try it out.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Algonac Michigan
"I was told it hadn't been run since 2001 which is why the interior and so forth was in such bad shape but the worst part (mechanically) is that the engine is FULL of... I don't even know what it's called. I mean, it looks as if someone took a bucket of paint chips and dumped it in, so I'm assuming that may be one of the reasons as to why it's so messed up."
So what exactly is up with this "Paint Chip" stuff? And you say this is in the engine?
So what exactly is up with this "Paint Chip" stuff? And you say this is in the engine?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 40
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First I'd check the clutch fan. If you google clutch fan you'll see all types of videos on how to properly check to see if your fan is ok. Second, that radiator is 32 years old, pull it out and take it to a radiator shop. They'll put it into a tank to properly clean it out. Then put in a thermostat so your engine will warm up properly.
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"I was told it hadn't been run since 2001 which is why the interior and so forth was in such bad shape but the worst part (mechanically) is that the engine is FULL of... I don't even know what it's called. I mean, it looks as if someone took a bucket of paint chips and dumped it in, so I'm assuming that may be one of the reasons as to why it's so messed up."
So what exactly is up with this "Paint Chip" stuff? And you say this is in the engine?
So what exactly is up with this "Paint Chip" stuff? And you say this is in the engine?
Also, to the post after this one, the radiator is NOT 32 years old, it's brand new. It's one of the few things that were replaced.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Scott