C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Cooling issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-20-2019, 10:21 AM
  #41  
carriljc
Le Mans Master
 
carriljc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,354
Received 878 Likes on 763 Posts

Default

Penelopegirl - hopefully your cookie sheet shroud plan works. However, if it does not, then take a look at this thread. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1587817315

Per your discussion I would not expect you to enjoy wandering around a pick-a-part (I do ) and these mid 90's Camaro fan assemblies are all put together with a shroud. In the post above F22 even shows dimensions with a tape measure. Great post with F22.

Last edited by carriljc; 03-02-2019 at 10:51 PM.
Old 01-20-2019, 11:33 AM
  #42  
OldCarBum
Race Director
 
OldCarBum's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2016
Location: Napa California
Posts: 10,409
Received 4,653 Likes on 2,915 Posts
Default

Call Dewitts Radiator, they are a forum vendor.
Usually Tom DeWitt will chime in when he sees threads regarding cooling and radiators.
You might just send him a PM.
I researched cooling through many manufacturers and found Dewitt’s had by far the best quality radiator in the business.
They also advertise their radiators are “direct fit” with no modifications to the vehicle needed.
Everything I have read shows this is true.
Their web site is great and I would suggest looking at their direct fit, aluminum, HP, combo unit for your 383.
Two rows of 1.25” tubes, with no epoxy, and the combo kit comes with the dual spal fans, all wiring, relays, and the shroud.
I just ordered my combo kit for my 496 build and I believe their 15% off sale is still running which knocked over $200.00 off my order.
This set up should be more than adequate to cool you build.
In your photos it looks like you have an auto trans which is also additional heat into your cooling system because the trans fluid is cooled in the side tank in the radiator.
If I’m correct and you do have an auto trans make sure you order the correct radiator.
The other option is if you want the natural finish or painted black from their factory.
I opted for the natural finish as I think it just looks cool over the black and the natural finish is cheaper.

Last edited by OldCarBum; 01-20-2019 at 11:44 AM.
Old 01-20-2019, 12:37 PM
  #43  
chevymans 77
Melting Slicks
Support Corvetteforum!
 
chevymans 77's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2002
Location: Sulphur LA
Posts: 2,686
Received 105 Likes on 95 Posts
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19

Default

Post #15 shows the foam core support to hood seal along with the seal between the top of the radiator and the core support.

Neal

Last edited by chevymans 77; 01-20-2019 at 12:38 PM.
Old 01-20-2019, 12:45 PM
  #44  
chevymans 77
Melting Slicks
Support Corvetteforum!
 
chevymans 77's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2002
Location: Sulphur LA
Posts: 2,686
Received 105 Likes on 95 Posts
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19

Default

Do a search on google using "C3 corvette radiator seals", look in images and a large number of pics will show the seals and them being installed.

Neal
The following users liked this post:
Penelopegirl (01-20-2019)
Old 01-20-2019, 12:49 PM
  #45  
chevymans 77
Melting Slicks
Support Corvetteforum!
 
chevymans 77's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2002
Location: Sulphur LA
Posts: 2,686
Received 105 Likes on 95 Posts
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'11,'13-'14,'16,'18,'19

Default

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uide-pics.html
look through this thread, while not the exact same year the idea is the same as to the seals.

Neal
Old 01-20-2019, 01:00 PM
  #46  
SteveG75
Le Mans Master

 
SteveG75's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: FL
Posts: 9,735
Received 521 Likes on 351 Posts

Default

Radiator seals here.
https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/cool...ort-seals.html

Since you are in SE Florida, recommend a drive up to Titusville and talk directly to folks at Ecklers.
Old 01-20-2019, 01:30 PM
  #47  
Doug1
Safety Car
 
Doug1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Harbor, Florida
Posts: 4,688
Received 41 Likes on 34 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by SteveG75
Radiator seals here.
https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/cool...ort-seals.html

Since you are in SE Florida, recommend a drive up to Titusville and talk directly to folks at Ecklers.
Drive up in the 78 that has cooling issues? Lol, it has been cold here in FL for awhile now so the car will probably be ok.

Hey Penelope, have you taken the thermostat out yet? Very simple job, first get a gasket from auto parts store for $4, take the two bolts off on the housing, remove thermostat and put in garbage, make sure both sides of metal are clean, put housing with new gasket on and tighten the 2 bolts. 10 minute job.

Last edited by Doug1; 01-20-2019 at 01:49 PM.
Old 01-20-2019, 04:04 PM
  #48  
HeadsU.P.
Le Mans Master
 
HeadsU.P.'s Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2017
Location: Cool Northern Michigan
Posts: 6,879
Received 2,112 Likes on 1,622 Posts
Default

The O.P. has a chrome T-stat housing. A $4 gasket won't cut it. Needs the $25 silicone gasket.
Old 01-20-2019, 04:08 PM
  #49  
carriljc
Le Mans Master
 
carriljc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,354
Received 878 Likes on 763 Posts

Default

O.P. would be better off with a cast iron housing and a regular gasket. I sh*t-canned my chrome POS and went back to cast iron when I my chrome housing started leaking.
Old 01-20-2019, 04:23 PM
  #50  
Doug1
Safety Car
 
Doug1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Harbor, Florida
Posts: 4,688
Received 41 Likes on 34 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by HeadsU.P.
The O.P. has a chrome T-stat housing. A $4 gasket won't cut it. Needs the $25 silicone gasket.
I've got the cheap chrome housing, the gasket has worked ok for me.
Old 01-20-2019, 04:25 PM
  #51  
Doug1
Safety Car
 
Doug1's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Harbor, Florida
Posts: 4,688
Received 41 Likes on 34 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by carriljc
O.P. would be better off with a cast iron housing and a regular gasket. I sh*t-canned my chrome POS and went back to cast iron when I my chrome housing started leaking.
How long did it last you before it started leaking? Are you saying it rusted out and got a small hole?
Thanks
Old 01-20-2019, 04:32 PM
  #52  
cv67
Team Owner
 
cv67's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: altered state
Posts: 81,242
Received 3,043 Likes on 2,602 Posts
St. Jude Donor '05

Default

Mine seeped from day 1, removed the oring and filled it in, used various gaskets no dice. Finally after sitting for a few yrs its corroded itself shut.

They warp when you tighten them who wants to risk a motor to that? Buddys oring failed on his, cooked an 8k motor his 2nd day out.

Summit may still sell the cast aluminum housing that goes on their crate motors. Its plenty strong and $10. Smooth finish so polishes up real easy if you like bling.
Throw that cheap stuff in the trash. Its not if, its when.
Old 01-20-2019, 07:17 PM
  #53  
carriljc
Le Mans Master
 
carriljc's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,354
Received 878 Likes on 763 Posts

Default

I don't think that it lasted one year (1). Never felt right, and I tried to reseal it, finally just sh*t-canned it and got a cast iron puppy. Never leaked again. My new engine looks to have a cast aluminum unit which doesn't leak either. I'll never get another chrome P.O.S.

Originally Posted by Doug1
How long did it last you before it started leaking? Are you saying it rusted out and got a small hole?
Thanks
The following users liked this post:
Doug1 (01-20-2019)
Old 01-20-2019, 07:37 PM
  #54  
Penelopegirl
Advanced
 
Penelopegirl's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2019
Location: SE Florida
Posts: 63
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by OldCarBum
Call Dewitts Radiator, they are a forum vendor.
Usually Tom DeWitt will chime in when he sees threads regarding cooling and radiators.
You might just send him a PM.
I researched cooling through many manufacturers and found Dewitt’s had by far the best quality radiator in the business.
They also advertise their radiators are “direct fit” with no modifications to the vehicle needed.
Everything I have read shows this is true.
Their web site is great and I would suggest looking at their direct fit, aluminum, HP, combo unit for your 383.
Two rows of 1.25” tubes, with no epoxy, and the combo kit comes with the dual spal fans, all wiring, relays, and the shroud.
I just ordered my combo kit for my 496 build and I believe their 15% off sale is still running which knocked over $200.00 off my order.
This set up should be more than adequate to cool you build.
In your photos it looks like you have an auto trans which is also additional heat into your cooling system because the trans fluid is cooled in the side tank in the radiator.
If I’m correct and you do have an auto trans make sure you order the correct radiator.
The other option is if you want the natural finish or painted black from their factory.
I opted for the natural finish as I think it just looks cool over the black and the natural finish is cheaper.
Yes I do have auto. I think I’m days away from dumping what I have and starting over. I’m just trying to look at what I have and cost to replace right now. Thanks much.
Old 01-20-2019, 07:44 PM
  #55  
Penelopegirl
Advanced
 
Penelopegirl's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2019
Location: SE Florida
Posts: 63
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by SteveG75
Radiator seals here.
https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/cool...ort-seals.html

Since you are in SE Florida, recommend a drive up to Titusville and talk directly to folks at Ecklers.
I just realized they’re only 110 miles away but my Penelope sure ain’t going there. She’s overheating 3 miles from home.
Old 01-20-2019, 08:11 PM
  #56  
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
 
Big2Bird's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,823
Received 1,014 Likes on 808 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Penelopegirl
I just realized they’re only 110 miles away but my Penelope sure ain’t going there. She’s overheating 3 miles from home.
3 miles? Naw, this sounds more like something stupid easy.

Ignition retarded

Carb is lean.

Water pump is incorrect rotation

Thermostat is bad.

Bad hose

Something along those lines.....
Old 01-20-2019, 08:21 PM
  #57  
SteveG75
Le Mans Master

 
SteveG75's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: FL
Posts: 9,735
Received 521 Likes on 351 Posts

Default

Honestly, if you are overheating in three miles when it only 60 degrees out, I would honestly consider the possibility that you have a standard rotation water pump with the reverse rotation serpentine setup.

Get notified of new replies

To Cooling issue

Old 01-20-2019, 08:22 PM
  #58  
Penelopegirl
Advanced
 
Penelopegirl's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2019
Location: SE Florida
Posts: 63
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default Runs hot

Originally Posted by Big2Bird
3 miles? Naw, this sounds more like something stupid easy.

Ignition retarded

Carb is lean.

Water pump is incorrect rotation

Thermostat is bad.

Bad hose

Something along those lines.....
Ok so I exaggerate just a little but she is running way too hot. New thermostat 195 he tells me. Fans are coming on but don’t seem to bring the temp down. After the new thermostat I drove her 3-4 miles test run went up to 200 stayed there so I headed home was 230 when I got home. That’s too hot for me. The fans seem to run all the time now so what’s going to happen when it really gets hot. I’m afraid they threw parts at her buying for a 78 Corvette with no consideration for the 383 so I know this is going to get worse as weather heats up.
Old 01-20-2019, 08:30 PM
  #59  
Penelopegirl
Advanced
 
Penelopegirl's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2019
Location: SE Florida
Posts: 63
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default Water pump

Originally Posted by SteveG75
Honestly, if you are overheating in three miles when it only 60 degrees out, I would honestly consider the possibility that you have a standard rotation water pump with the reverse rotation serpentine setup.
How do I find that out for sure? I know it has the March pulley system so how do I find out about the pump?
Old 01-20-2019, 08:33 PM
  #60  
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
 
Big2Bird's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,823
Received 1,014 Likes on 808 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Penelopegirl


How do I find that out for sure? I know it has the March pulley system so how do I find out about the pump?
Do you have the receipts? Can you look up the pump used?


Quick Reply: Cooling issue



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:53 AM.