I own a 1978 corvette with the l-82 motor . When the weather gets warm around 90 degrees , the temp. gets up around a hair over 200. I have a new fan clutch, a alum. rad...just had the system flushed and new fluid. Is this normal running temp..

 

Yes. The OEM thermostat for your car is 195 degrees which is the coolest it should run.

 

Yes. From the late 70's on, most engines are designed to operate in the 190-210 range. This is a result of emission systems used, and the need to properly burn off emissions.

If you have an owners manual, check the instruments section. It probably has a statement in it that says something along the lines of, "normal operating temperatures are in the range of 190 degrees to 260".

 

The late 70's L-82's ran VERY hot from the factory mainly due to the emissions. My totally stock 78 L-82 4 speed routinely ran 225 degrees as the normal operating temperature when it was new. In fact, on 90-100 degree days with the AC on the car would run up to 235-240 on the HIGWAY. GM changed the 12 o'clock position on the temp gauge in 1979 from 200 degrees on the gauge in 1978's to 225 at the same position in 1979 due to customer complaints about the cars running hot. I worked on this issue for 25 years, before finally quelling the issue. I have changed many (almost all of them) parts to get to the bottom of the issue. Here is what I have found after all these years:

1. Freeing up the exhaust with 2.5 inch true duals with no cat helped greatly lower the temperature.
2. The stock 882 heads actually flow pretty well but are notorious for cracking due to the restricted flow passages designed to raise combustion temperatures to help burn off emissions.
3. Getting rid of all of the smog equipment helps greatly lower the operating temperature.
4. The factory L-82 cam is retarded from the factory and just recently I replaced the timing chain and advanced the cam 4 degrees which lowered the operating temperature a bit.

A few years ago I replaced the factory 4 core brass radiator with an aluminum Dewitts radiator as well as a Stewart high flow aluminum stage 2 water pump, and the car currently runs about 175-180 degrees which to me is ideal on a hot humid day. On less temperature days, the motor runs about 160-165 degrees. Hope that helps!

 

mine now runs close to 160 depending on ambient temperature. pruning a car 225 is unnecessary. these cars ran like crap set to factory specs, they had less power ran rough and got lousy fuel economy. but some people think the factory and the government are always right.

 

The 78 owner's manual states that normal operation is between 195* and 250* if you are at 250* you are over heated. Turn off the ac and slow down. or if in town run the engine faster in neutral. This is assuming it's all original with all the stuff on it.

I have a 78 L82 with some modifications and run below 200 on a hot day around town and slightly above 200* on the highway. Nothing to worry about. No ac however.

 

200-220 is fine. At 240 you can start to fret a little.

 

220* water temps are a little high but what was called acceptable at that time but if your water temps are there than your oil temps are more than likely there or higher.

Do you have an oil temp gauge or can you shoot the oil pan with an IR gun to see what the oil temps are after a run on the hwy?

From what I've read the engine oil does about 60% of the engine cooling so an easy way to increase the cooling capacity of an engines cooling system is to add an adequate engine oil cooler.

You need to know what the engine oil temps are to verify if an engine oil cooler will help. If the engine oil temps are above 180* than an engine oil cooler will help.

Neal