Take it to a radiator shop - have it cleaned, rodded etc. Money well spent, and a lot less of it than going with an aftermarket part.
radiator seal ?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 546
Likes: 7
From: Kansas
I think the easiest way and the smartest way to is to eliminate the easy stuff first. This weekend I'm going to 1. Flush the radiator
2. Put new upper & lower hoses on. 3. Put a new thermostat (should I go with the O.E. Temp? I believe it was a 190. It's a stock motor) put the top radiator seals on. Test drive it and see if it gets hot, if it does then I'm pulling everything and going back with a new radiator and high flow pump..this is my wife's toy so I'm trying to get it up to par so she can run around town without the fear of overheating. By the way the lower house is shot!!!
2. Put new upper & lower hoses on. 3. Put a new thermostat (should I go with the O.E. Temp? I believe it was a 190. It's a stock motor) put the top radiator seals on. Test drive it and see if it gets hot, if it does then I'm pulling everything and going back with a new radiator and high flow pump..this is my wife's toy so I'm trying to get it up to par so she can run around town without the fear of overheating. By the way the lower house is shot!!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Yes and no, I think time on a toy is not that big of a deal. It's really not about saving 100.00 here and there but more than anything its about teaching myself that some stuff is salvageable. luckily I am in the position to "throw" a 100.00 at it to see if I don't need to replace a radiator if I do oh well I'll do it. The car is not a daily driver thank god so no rush but A 6 pack of beer and hanging with friends is a good day!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 10,628
Likes: 132
From: Duvall, WA
Have you checked the timing? Retarded timing will cause it to run hot. Make sure the vacuum advance is working and hooked up to a manifold vacuum source on the carburetor (unless you are concerned about emissions, then leave it on the ported vacuum source).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
ok finally got around for an update on this, flushed the radiator, put a new thermostat in new fluid, cleaned between the condenser and radiator and its still getting hot...I'm going to try the extension on the spoiler but I'm thinking a new radiator is in order. I am thinking that a radiator from autozone or oreilly will be sufficient but I'm not a vette expert by all means most of my knowledge is stuff with 2 wheels. So the question is a new stock radiator or an aluminum (engine is stock)
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Also still need to check this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,027
ok finally got around for an update on this, flushed the radiator, put a new thermostat in new fluid, cleaned between the condenser and radiator and its still getting hot...I'm going to try the extension on the spoiler but I'm thinking a new radiator is in order. I am thinking that a radiator from autozone or oreilly will be sufficient but I'm not a vette expert by all means most of my knowledge is stuff with 2 wheels. So the question is a new stock radiator or an aluminum (engine is stock)
The lower hose MUST have a spring to keep it from collapsing.
Use a Robert Shaw stat that fails open.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,372
Likes: 215
From: Peoria Arizona
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Just for what it's worth, I'm a believer in cool. If you are going to take your radiator to a shop, ask what it would cost to re-core it with a 4-row core. I did that years ago and paired that with a 160 thermostat and I can run a long hill at 80MPH on a 95 degree day and never get over 180.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Installed a new 180.00 radiator (aluminum) from oreillys and its good to go...I'm still going to install the lower rubber piece I got from ecklers just to add to the cooling but this issue is done...for now. Thanks for everyones input!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,027
Glad to hear it's solved.