engine temp
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 145
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engine temp
Just took delivery of my '87 today. Temp here is in the low 40's. While I was moving, coolant temp was 165*F (+-). When I stopped for a couple minutes temp climbed pretty quickly to 185*F. Probably would have gone higher but I didn't sit that long. I should also mention that the "low coolant " light was on intermitently. When I got moving again the temp went down to the 165 neighborhood again. I went to add antifreeze and noticed the fan was not running. It took about a gallon of a/f which I thought would bring the fan on (perhaps the sender in the radiator was dry, hence not working) but the fan will not come on. Is there somthing I'm need to know?
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
1st thing is, don't worry until the coolant goes way above 240. Our cars stock are designed to run at 190-210 degrees under normal driving and as high as 235 in traffic.
The fans kick on at a preset temp(not exactly sure what).
Sounds like someone replaced your thermostat with a lower rated one but didn't reprogram the fans. Some guys at th etrack will install a manual fan switch to turn them on whenever they want.
The fans kick on at a preset temp(not exactly sure what).
Sounds like someone replaced your thermostat with a lower rated one but didn't reprogram the fans. Some guys at th etrack will install a manual fan switch to turn them on whenever they want.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 36,040
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From: All great change begins at the dinner table Ronald Reagan
My '85 did the same, it had a 185 thermostat, which I replaced with 192 degree 'stat. It does take forever for the fans to kick on.
If you jumper the ALDL box you can check your fans. They'll come on when you turn the ignition on,when jumpered, if all is working well.
The early ALDL connector has room for 12 pins however only 7 are populated. You will find the top row fully populated while not all are on the bottom row.
On the top row, the pin designators are (in order, left to right) F,E,D,C,B,A. Pin "A" and "B" are the ones you need to jumper together.
If you're unsure about using a jumper (bent up paper clip), then I bought a handy tool from Sears that'll do the same thing for $29.95.
Hope this helps!
If you jumper the ALDL box you can check your fans. They'll come on when you turn the ignition on,when jumpered, if all is working well.
The early ALDL connector has room for 12 pins however only 7 are populated. You will find the top row fully populated while not all are on the bottom row.
On the top row, the pin designators are (in order, left to right) F,E,D,C,B,A. Pin "A" and "B" are the ones you need to jumper together.
If you're unsure about using a jumper (bent up paper clip), then I bought a handy tool from Sears that'll do the same thing for $29.95.
Hope this helps!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by GOOG
What does aldl mean? Where is this box? The thought of jumping the wires to verfy the fan has crossed my mind. Thought I would toss the topic on this forum before I did anything too bold.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by GOOG
What does aldl mean? Where is this box? The thought of jumping the wires to verfy the fan has crossed my mind. Thought I would toss the topic on this forum before I did anything too bold.
it is located just to the right of the steering column under the hush panel.
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Intermediate
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On the 96, the book says the fans come on at 220, which is what mine does. Thats what mine does. Last summer it was getting up around 235 in stop and go traffic which is way higher than it had been in previous years. The reason was the radiator was jammed up with dirt, grass, leaves, hair, feathers, etc. I pulled it out last weekend and cleaned it and its back to normal, right around 200.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,725
Likes: 709
From: Bergen County, NJ
In My '88 the main fan came on at 228, the auxililary at 235 [before I changed the chip], I beleive that is the factory settings.
Like someone said open the hood let it idle & see at what temp the main fan comes on.
Like someone said open the hood let it idle & see at what temp the main fan comes on.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 145
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No Problem
Ran car this morning, took about 20 minutes to get to 225*F. When coolant temp hit 225 fan came on. Temp dropped in less than 2 minutes to 211, fan went off. Thanks again for all the help.
Tom
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
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From: seattle WA
Hey GOOG, what was said about 228-235 range is right, main comes on 228-aux at 235, but, get yourself a temp switch from Ecklers for $20-30. very simple to install, lets your fan(s) come on at 200, off at 185, you'll love it in the summer months-I own an 87 too. And don't forget to check for debris in front of the radiator. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
My 93 rarely gets over 190 runs 180 hiway and 190 in traffic.
I have the thermomaster chip and 180 thermostat.
Fans come on at 180.
I like hot chicks but not hot cars. If my car was running 200 I'd do something about it.
200 is the standard range but I'm not ok with it.
235 is right on the edge of over heating, 245 is over heating.
With a coolant thats right on the edge it doesn't take much to push it right over the top.
Look thru the sides of your radiator for road kill, plastic bags etc you'd be surprized how much stuff is in there. Use a air compressor and a
blower to blow it out, or even a shop vac.
Best protection from over heating is maintenance, maintain that cooling system. New hoses, belt, termo, anti freeze yearly, Mobil 1 will help. That is it can take the heat.
1st car in my life that ever got to 220 was a 86 Corvette.
Sitting in trafffic for the 1st time and watching that heat gauge go up is like watching money burn.
Not fun.
Enjoy your car.
I have the thermomaster chip and 180 thermostat.
Fans come on at 180.
I like hot chicks but not hot cars. If my car was running 200 I'd do something about it.
200 is the standard range but I'm not ok with it.
235 is right on the edge of over heating, 245 is over heating.
With a coolant thats right on the edge it doesn't take much to push it right over the top.
Look thru the sides of your radiator for road kill, plastic bags etc you'd be surprized how much stuff is in there. Use a air compressor and a
blower to blow it out, or even a shop vac.
Best protection from over heating is maintenance, maintain that cooling system. New hoses, belt, termo, anti freeze yearly, Mobil 1 will help. That is it can take the heat.
1st car in my life that ever got to 220 was a 86 Corvette.
Sitting in trafffic for the 1st time and watching that heat gauge go up is like watching money burn.
Not fun.
Enjoy your car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by redwing76
My 93 rarely gets over 190 runs 180 hiway and 190 in traffic.
I have the thermomaster chip and 180 thermostat.
Fans come on at 180.
I like hot chicks but not hot cars. If my car was running 200 I'd do something about it.
200 is the standard range but I'm not ok with it.
235 is right on the edge of over heating, 245 is over heating.
With a coolant thats right on the edge it doesn't take much to push it right over the top.
I have the thermomaster chip and 180 thermostat.
Fans come on at 180.
I like hot chicks but not hot cars. If my car was running 200 I'd do something about it.
200 is the standard range but I'm not ok with it.
235 is right on the edge of over heating, 245 is over heating.
With a coolant thats right on the edge it doesn't take much to push it right over the top.
Our cars were designed to run at these temps...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 0
From: The Clem MI
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Relax, your temps are fine.
and I agree with what redwing76 wrote.
and I agree with what redwing76 wrote.
Originally Posted by redwing76
Fans come on at over 200 degrees, turn the air on the main fan should come on. Let the car idle watch for the fan to come on. If it gets over 235 and no fan then you have a problem.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,105
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From: Canal Winchester OH
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11 Vet
CI X Blind Auto-X Champ
Wait till you look down and it says 295 like it did when I still had my 84 a few years back 
On a side note, on the 87, the fan runs all the time when the engine runs now. If I just have it in the on position, it doesn't. Anything I should be worried about??
On a side note, on the 87, the fan runs all the time when the engine runs now. If I just have it in the on position, it doesn't. Anything I should be worried about??