Tech Question
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: MS
Tech Question
Hiya all, new here, new to the 'Vette scene..Questions, if you can help, thanks! I have a '96 coupe...
1. Suggestions on buying a full set of shop manuals, I mean schematics and all. Any ideas where the best place to get these are?
2. Owners manual..
3. How *do* I clean the radiator and such? I must have pulled a small garbage bag of trash from off the front. I cant seem to see how to actually clean the coils without taking a bunch of stuff apart to get the shroud off.
4. My car idles at about 205 degrees on a cool day. It drops from there, but is that normal? The guage goes almost to the shaded area..seems like it should run (idle) cooler. I have considered a 160 degree thermostat, think that will help?
I know its a lot, but I appreciate any input to help me get this project rolling. The car runs great has an after market chip of somekind in it, though Im not sure how to tell what it is. Thanks for any input!
1. Suggestions on buying a full set of shop manuals, I mean schematics and all. Any ideas where the best place to get these are?
2. Owners manual..
3. How *do* I clean the radiator and such? I must have pulled a small garbage bag of trash from off the front. I cant seem to see how to actually clean the coils without taking a bunch of stuff apart to get the shroud off.
4. My car idles at about 205 degrees on a cool day. It drops from there, but is that normal? The guage goes almost to the shaded area..seems like it should run (idle) cooler. I have considered a 160 degree thermostat, think that will help?
I know its a lot, but I appreciate any input to help me get this project rolling. The car runs great has an after market chip of somekind in it, though Im not sure how to tell what it is. Thanks for any input!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Re: Tech Question (cecerre)
I got my owners manual from http://www.helminc.com I am not sure about the other questions but I know others will have the answers. Welcome to the wonderful world of corvette's. :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan
Re: Tech Question (cecerre)
the best way to clean around the radiator is to take the shroud out. i haven't done it yet, maybe this winter.
you don't want to add the 160* thermo unless you have the fans turn on and off at the proper temp, i.e. the fan on/off temp is set for your stock temp thermo.
on the '96 with OBDII, your best bet might be the hypertech programmer to change the fan on/off temp
I've got a '90 which is completely different, but i'm sure a '96 owner will post here soon.
:cheers:
you don't want to add the 160* thermo unless you have the fans turn on and off at the proper temp, i.e. the fan on/off temp is set for your stock temp thermo.
on the '96 with OBDII, your best bet might be the hypertech programmer to change the fan on/off temp
I've got a '90 which is completely different, but i'm sure a '96 owner will post here soon.
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,127
Likes: 1,727
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Tech Question (cecerre)
Get your shop manual from Helminc.com, its the same as the GM manual.
If you want an owners manual, maybe try one of the car magazines (ecklers, Corvette central, Mid America)
To clean the front of the radiator the best way, you have to totally remove it and clean it off.
That temperature range is normal, vettes are made to run hotter than most cars for emissions purposes. Most people add a 160 thermo, i did. And i also had my chip reprogrammed to make the fans come on earlier, which is the only permanent fix.
If you want an owners manual, maybe try one of the car magazines (ecklers, Corvette central, Mid America)
To clean the front of the radiator the best way, you have to totally remove it and clean it off.
That temperature range is normal, vettes are made to run hotter than most cars for emissions purposes. Most people add a 160 thermo, i did. And i also had my chip reprogrammed to make the fans come on earlier, which is the only permanent fix.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Tech Question (Ron78Z&85Vette)
MAD has 'em all....... But so does Helm and others .......only diff is price.... You may try also a Haynes manual. Not as detailed or complete but there is stuff in there that Helm's doesn't have and some good pix that will be helpful. As for the RAD,........ya gotta take it apart....... I modded my shroud to make it easier to remove as it has become a maintenance thing now :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Patterson CA
Re: Tech Question (cecerre)
Check this out...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1870182289
Don't know if you want that whole package but thought it might interest you. I got my owners manual from eBay.
I also have a Helm, Haynes and Chilton. All three make great reference material. The Haynes and Chilton can be found at your regular parts store for about $15 each and the Helm is about $100 but worth every single penny in savings down the road.
Welcome to the Forum and your two new addictions! :cheers:
Don't forget to always, always, always :seeya :seeya :seeya
[Modified by VetBoy89, 8:13 AM 10/22/2002]
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1870182289
Don't know if you want that whole package but thought it might interest you. I got my owners manual from eBay.
I also have a Helm, Haynes and Chilton. All three make great reference material. The Haynes and Chilton can be found at your regular parts store for about $15 each and the Helm is about $100 but worth every single penny in savings down the road.
Welcome to the Forum and your two new addictions! :cheers:
Don't forget to always, always, always :seeya :seeya :seeya
[Modified by VetBoy89, 8:13 AM 10/22/2002]
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
Re: Tech Question (cecerre)
Here's the TECH TIP on cleaning your radiator.
www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=53&TopicID=2
www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=53&TopicID=2
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: MS
Re: Tech Question (cecerre)
1St Thanks all for the repsonses! Quite the warm bunch here ; ) The article ( https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=53&TopicID=2 ) is something I intend to check into. It says 15 minutes, but I honestly think I'd be lucky to do it in a Saturday..Thanks all so much for the help!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,192
Likes: 1
From: Airport Cruise-in 1 Veteran Airport Cruise-in 2 Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Tech Question (cecerre)
:lol: :lol: Maybe 15 min. for Lars but I've been in there twice and it took me 15 min. just to crack open a beer and look at it. :D
