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Over Heating !!!!????

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Old Jun 1, 2002 | 09:42 PM
  #1  
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Default Over Heating !!!!????

My 80' L82 350 is sick ??? I just had the local Chevy speed shop install a superior shift kit and if you seen the MPG posted it really did the trick. However
on the way home from the shop my engine temp went through the roof. I figured the thermostat went. I let her cool down, then removed cap and watched as it heated, the thermostat opened and closed like usual. Decided to flush the radiator, changed the coolant and did not change the thermostat and fired back up. Things seemed ok until I decided to go get gas and took her for a GOOD ride. Temp soared over 200 and overflow is boiling! Should I change the thermostat, or any other suggestions? HELP!! I haven't driven her for a week! :mad :confused:
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Old Jun 1, 2002 | 09:59 PM
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (Kevlore)

Will it cool when at highway speeds?
Does it only overheat with the A/C on?
Do you have all of the seals around the radiator and fan shroud (can air get "around the radiator" instead of through it)?
Have you checked your timing lately?
What fan setup do you have?
Stock radiator?
What rating is the t-stat?
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Old Jun 1, 2002 | 10:08 PM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (BSeery)

Thanks for the reply...any help I can get is greatly appreciated!

In response to the questions...overheated at highway speed (75-80 mph), I don't run the air (or at least haven't yet), as far as I know all the seals are there, timing is ok...no miss, knocks, pings, etc., there are 2 fans-a regular fan and fan in front of that (call me stupid or whatever, I'm not a pro mechanic ), radiator is stock, and as for the t-stat I have no clue :confused: !

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Old Jun 1, 2002 | 10:12 PM
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (Kevlore)

If it is overheating at highway speed I would drain the radiator and look at the condition of the cores -- the little tubes that run horizontally through the radiator.
If they are all gummed up with minerals, then you need to take the radiator out and have it re-cored or cleaned.
Make sure that the A/C condensor is clean and the air can flow through it properly.

Do you have the stock air cleaner setup? Big bunch of plastic duct work that covers the top of the radiator? If not, that is a giant air leak around the radiator.
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Old Jun 1, 2002 | 10:25 PM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (BSeery)

Just drained it and flushed it.... The cores looked good. I don't have the stock air cleaner. Run a K&N. As for the A/C condensor, I'd have to look in the book and find it, I have not run the A/C since I bought the car (altough there are times it's needed, with temps of 100 and above). I have all the parts to change the thermostat, I'm thinking I'll do that an see what happens from there!?

Obviously, the person who owned her before me neglected her! :sad: She's perfect as far as the interior and exterior but needs some t.l.c.!
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 01:23 AM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (Kevlore)

If it will only over heat when at highway speeds, maybe the bottom hose is collapsing. I azzume that this is the first time you have had this problem. Did the shop that did your tranny work say anything about added heat from the work they performed? Your radiator should also be cooling your tranny fluid. I don`t think this will end up being complicated.
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 01:37 AM
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (BDAZVET)

If it will only over heat when at highway speeds, maybe the bottom hose is collapsing. I azzume that this is the first time you have had this problem. Did the shop that did your tranny work say anything about added heat from the work they performed? Your radiator should also be cooling your tranny fluid. I don`t think this will end up being complicated.
To check this, get the car all nice and warmed up. Then open the hood. Watch the lower radiator hose as you rev up the engine. If it sucks itself flat, you have a problem. Replace the lower radiator hose with one that has a spring / coil inside to prevent this.

As far as the stock air cleaner, I am talking about the entire assembly. Do you have all of the plastic ducting that connects to the stock dual snorkel air filter housing? A piece of this is very important to cooling the engine.

Photos to explain to follow......
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 01:56 AM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (Kevlore)



The big piece of plastic outlined in green is the cold air intake for the factory air filter base. As you can see it goes over the radiator, covering a huge gapping whole.
You can see a small whole (white arrow). Even one that small is bad, I have to put more material in there to seal it off.

The red arrows are the factory seals that make sure there are no air leaks between the radiator and the radiator support, and the radiator support and the hood.



The area in white is the air conditioner condensor. It is in front of the radiator. If this area is all beat up, full of bugs and dirt, then no air can go through it and then through the radiator.

If you need to get a seal kit for the radiator, check out the kit's from Doctor Rebuild (I can't put a link here because they are not a supporting member (even though they have better seal kits than anyone else)).
Search around for Doctor Rebuild, and you will find him.

Hope this helps.
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 01:58 AM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (BSeery)

I also notice that your entire lower front spoiler is missing !! That is a big cooling problem. See pictures of other 1980-1982's and see how they have a lower area that scoops up the air. There should be a piece below the nose of the car, and on that their should be some black rubber like pieces that go even lower.

That is a major issue.
Take a look at this picture of Paul B.'s cars. Check out under the front end of his yellow Corvette.




[Modified by BSeery, 11:02 PM 6/1/2002]
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 02:05 AM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (BSeery)

Thanks for the info. I'll send a pic of mine in the a.m. Pretty sure mine is the same. (After hours of working on it it's all kind of a blur right now) Went ahead and changed the thermostat and took her for a ride. Ran her hard and with the air, temp didn't get above about 160 which is about where it stayed before. Shop didn't say anything about running hotter due to tranny mod. Will definately take a look at the bottom hose tomorrow. Thanks again!
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 09:25 AM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (Kevlore)

BSeery: Good info! :cheers:
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 04:55 PM
  #12  
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (BSeery)

I'm missing the whole piece over the radiator.... the seals are in place. I checked the air conditioner condensor this morning. Looks to be clean and in excellent shape. The thermostat I replaced was 180 degree.
I want to thank you again for the fantastic info.
One last question. The piece that I am missing in the front under the nose. Is this what is referred to as the lower valance panel. If so, I can order one through ZIP Products for $ 209 for an orginal or $99 for a fiberglass one.
:cheers:
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 05:42 PM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (Kevlore)

Sounds like it did not do this before the mechanic worked on the shift kit? Right?

They may have messed around with the cooling lines and in turn taken off the lower rad hose. Go feel if the spring is still in the hose.
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Old Jun 2, 2002 | 09:08 PM
  #14  
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (bigvette1)

Spring is in the lower rad. hose.Tried blowing out the radiator got quite a bit of dust out of it. Fired her up and turned on the air. Let sit for a good 10 min....... nothing ,might of hit 110 degrees on the gauge. Took her out for a spin and as long as I keep my foot out of her she's fine. Give her the goose and up the temp goes. :confused:
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 12:37 AM
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (Kevlore)

Yep, you need to close off the top of the radiator so air has to go through the radiator and not over it.
You also need the lower valance panel and there is a black plastic/rubber spoiler that attaches to that.
See if you can attach some pictures of the under hood area, and then also under the nose and then I can more accuratly tell you what is missing.

Good luck.
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Old Jun 3, 2002 | 08:52 AM
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Default Re: Over Heating !!!!???? (BSeery)

I'll grab some pictures after work today.I can't post them, I may have to send them to you. Let me know if that's :cool:

Thanks !!!
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