Radiator,water pump replacement,help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: STOCKTON, CA. SAN JOAQUIN
Radiator,water pump replacement,help
Vetts running 246 degrees here in 97 degree weather...I think that is two hot for my 89, 6 speed. Extra fan cuts in and takes it dwon to 231 degrees and have seen it go to 256 this is only when the AC is on, with it off it runs, 225 to 230. I have removed the radiator last fall and cleaned between the evap and radiator front...I have 106,000 miles on the radiatior and pump.
Should I replace the radiaior and pump...I have a wholesale warehouse that wants to sell me an alum, plastic replacement, new for $163.00. Auto Zone has a new pump for $53 and a high performance pump for $112.00 they can order.
What would you do in my shoes. tried the fan switches but they really do not make that much difference.
Thanks for any suggestions or input.
Hot in Stockton CA... :smash:
Should I replace the radiaior and pump...I have a wholesale warehouse that wants to sell me an alum, plastic replacement, new for $163.00. Auto Zone has a new pump for $53 and a high performance pump for $112.00 they can order.
What would you do in my shoes. tried the fan switches but they really do not make that much difference.
Thanks for any suggestions or input.
Hot in Stockton CA... :smash:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: In
Re: Radiator,water pump replacement,help (RMWICK1)
Before i replaced the rad, I would have it checked out at a reputable radiator shop. As for the waterpump, I had the hp pump from the zone on my 86 and it seemed to work fine, but along the way to converting the car to autocross only, I have gone to an electric wp. I have read that generic wp's don't flow as well, just one more thing to consider. By the way, have you checked the t-stat?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Springboro OH
Re: Radiator,water pump replacement,help (RMWICK1)
I have had good luck with both Stwart and Edelbrock water pumps. I am now putting an Elelbrock on my vette, they claim better flow on both sides of the motor, I cant say they do or not but I know that my Z-28 runs cool even on hot summer Phoenix days.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,097
Likes: 1,724
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Radiator,water pump replacement,help (joalyons)
I'm thinking you need to flush the block out, put in a new 160 thermostat, go to a Meziere Electric Pump and just have the current radiator checked out. Then refill it and put a bottle of water wetter in it.
After that, get a chip burned to set your fans to come on sooner.
After that, get a chip burned to set your fans to come on sooner.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 1
From: Naples FL
Re: Radiator,water pump replacement,help (vader86)
My car was running hot (230ish). I just replaced the thermostat and cleaned out the debris from in front of the radiator and it runs around 196 with the air ON!! No new radiator or pump!
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Re: Radiator,water pump replacement,help (RMWICK1)
I would check the basics out and try a few things before you swap them out.
1. purge air out of the coolant system
2. Clear all debris from air intake scoop; you should remove the upper radiator shroud as a lot of the debris collects inbetween the ac radiator and the coolant radiator. ( I had a plastic bag and a good piece of newspaper page in mine)
3. Check the cooling fan. Make sure it is providing good airflow
4. Flush the system refill with 50%/50% antifreeze & distilled H20 + water wetter may help as well
If that dosen't help:
5. Replace thermostat with 185 or 160
6. Replace temp kick switch to 185 degrees
Good luck!
Keepin cool in Texas :cool:
1. purge air out of the coolant system
2. Clear all debris from air intake scoop; you should remove the upper radiator shroud as a lot of the debris collects inbetween the ac radiator and the coolant radiator. ( I had a plastic bag and a good piece of newspaper page in mine)
3. Check the cooling fan. Make sure it is providing good airflow
4. Flush the system refill with 50%/50% antifreeze & distilled H20 + water wetter may help as well
If that dosen't help:
5. Replace thermostat with 185 or 160
6. Replace temp kick switch to 185 degrees
Good luck!
Keepin cool in Texas :cool:
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Re: Radiator,water pump replacement,help (joalyons)
I have had good luck with both Stwart and Edelbrock water pumps. I am now putting an Elelbrock on my vette, they claim better flow on both sides of the motor, I cant say they do or not but I know that my Z-28 runs cool even on hot summer Phoenix days.
