rods86vette

I just purchased a 1986 Corvette coupe with only 4600 miles on it. I have gone through and changed all fluids (fuel tank had a lot of water from storage so assumed all others needed replaced), rebuilt alternator and put on new z06 wheels/tires and am now starting to have fun with it.

My question is...it seems to run pretty hot. Unless I am running highway speeds at low rpms, it is running 210-220 degrees. At highway speeds..closer to 190 degrees. Is this normal or do I have a thermostat problem?

Thanks...new to Forum as well...but looking forward to having fun with my new vette.

hooked073

Normal

jimmers

These cars run hot, don't worry about it.

jon0108

just think, the fan is programmed from the factory to come on at 225*. At your temps the fan probably even isnt coming on yet.

mrmtrtrnd

A 86 with 4600 miles I would really like to see pictures and congratulations on a find like that.

When I got my 93 the temp worried me for sometime before I finally got use to it.

Black Beauty 88

I just took my 88 out on the open road for the first time. I drove from Delaware to Ohio and back last Saturday. I was very happy that she ran between 191 and 206 all the way through the mountains, until the last 30 minutes into Ohio and I hit stopped traffic. Watched the temp climb to 228 while sitting there helplessly sweating it. As soon as it hit 228 it quickly dropped back down. I love this car!!

WW7

Your temps are normal,,As long as the tempertures are between 185 and 228 with the 195 thermostat, your good to go..

coupeguy2001

my 86 ran 100 degrees over ambient.........100 outside, 200 on the gauge.
115, gauge reads 215.
I just put an all aluminum 2 row radiator in it and it runs 30 degrees cooler with a 170 stat.
The stat won't lower your temp, it just slows the heat soak.
If you live in the desert, go with the aluminum radiator.

FOURSPEEDVETTE

All these guys are correct. That is the normal operating temperature for your car. Fan will come on at about 228 degrees. It should be at about 195 to 210 while driving.

onedef92

You're good to go. Enjoy that car.

rods86vette

Appreciate all the feedback...also learned how to use search on the forum (and found this is a familiar topic - sorry to clog the blog!).

At any rate, I am now going to relax and enjoy...now to figure out how to get some pics on my profile...

mrmtrtrnd

[QUOTE=rods86vette;1574906147]Appreciate all the feedback...also learned how to use search on the forum (and found this is a familiar topic - sorry to clog the blog!).

Don't worry about that it takes all of us some time to learn our way around the Forum and use the different features available. Glad all is well and now you can just enjoy your car.

Frizlefrak

Yes! We need pics......we love pics.

Enjoy your new ride.

Zike Gladion

My 86 has 75k miles and today in cool weather it ran as high as 245! What is wrong?

Cruisinfanatic

Just take out the radiator and clean the fins thoroughly. A new 190 stat and your troubles are probably over. Confirm the fan kicks on at 228
Your radiator probably looks like this

PatternDayTrader

Wow. That's a heck of a picture..

ghoastrider1

my 86 runs about the same, no worries

Cjunkie

wow is right