Need Some Pointers!
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Need Some Pointers!
Just got myself a "85" Vette. She is running at 230 degrees at idle and at about 190 while moving. Also looking for the stock radio if anyone has one. Also if anyone could give me any good info please feel free to share I'm new at this. :)
[Modified by lawman2819, 1:16 AM 11/26/2002]
[Modified by lawman2819, 1:16 AM 11/26/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Amateur driver on open course.
Re: Need Some Pointers! (lawman2819)
I am not too sure of the operating temps of the L98's, but I am pretty sure most everyone runs the 160 degree stat with good results. :cheers: Welcome aboard!!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 433
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From: Gig Harbor WA
Re: Need Some Pointers! (lawman2819)
Hey Lawman - Firefighter (ret) here.
The issues you mention are common and a search will turn up more info than you need. :o)
Temperature: Start with a cold engine, remove the radiator cap and start it up. Have a fairly accurate thermometer handy. As the temp comes up, you will see the coolant start to "churn" as the thermostat opens. Checking the coolant temps with the thermometer during this process will give you a real world idea of what is going on.
C4's are noted for cooling problems. Most of these are due to crap between the air conditioning radiator and the engine radiator. The only way to clean this area is to yank out the engine radiator and shuck the poopie out. You can pressure wash or blow the debris out of the fins as well.
Corvettes like yours have an aluminum radiator with plastic tanks. According to my mech (whom I trust) the radiators have a limited life span. If they plug up (evidenced by cold spots) you may as well re-core them.
From your description, I would guess that you may be approaching the limit of capacity in your radiator. It depends on your tolerance for maintenance whether to opt for a new core or nurse this one along.
If you want to trade labor for shekels, jerk the rad, clean everything you can, replace the thermostat with a factory rated 195° model (NAPA's best), check and replace hoses as needed, and refill with 50/50 antifreeze and H²O.
If you want to redesign the car, listen to the guys who think 180° is a better idea. In that case, you'll need to reprogram your chip to compensate. There's really no reason to do this, as you will discover when you find out from the thermometer test just how cool the coolant really is.
Your 'Vette has two fans. One for the air conditioning and one for engine cooling. The AC fan comes on when the AC is running. This is a no-gain no-lose situation. The other fan should come on about 230° and shut off at (somebody help me out here. I can't remember :confused: .
If it makes you feel better, add a simple SPST (single pole, single throw) switch to turn on your engine cooling fan whenever you want. You can spend a bunch of money for a "kit" or just go up to Rat Shack, buy a switch and figger out how to put it in.
For an original radio, hit a local Corvette wrecking yard, buy one from a forum member, or try http://www.pacvette.com/ .
All of the above is my opinion. If I'm wrong, never mind. :^)
Rich
[Modified by Cap'n Rich, 7:31 PM 11/25/2002]
The issues you mention are common and a search will turn up more info than you need. :o)
Temperature: Start with a cold engine, remove the radiator cap and start it up. Have a fairly accurate thermometer handy. As the temp comes up, you will see the coolant start to "churn" as the thermostat opens. Checking the coolant temps with the thermometer during this process will give you a real world idea of what is going on.
C4's are noted for cooling problems. Most of these are due to crap between the air conditioning radiator and the engine radiator. The only way to clean this area is to yank out the engine radiator and shuck the poopie out. You can pressure wash or blow the debris out of the fins as well.
Corvettes like yours have an aluminum radiator with plastic tanks. According to my mech (whom I trust) the radiators have a limited life span. If they plug up (evidenced by cold spots) you may as well re-core them.
From your description, I would guess that you may be approaching the limit of capacity in your radiator. It depends on your tolerance for maintenance whether to opt for a new core or nurse this one along.
If you want to trade labor for shekels, jerk the rad, clean everything you can, replace the thermostat with a factory rated 195° model (NAPA's best), check and replace hoses as needed, and refill with 50/50 antifreeze and H²O.
If you want to redesign the car, listen to the guys who think 180° is a better idea. In that case, you'll need to reprogram your chip to compensate. There's really no reason to do this, as you will discover when you find out from the thermometer test just how cool the coolant really is.
Your 'Vette has two fans. One for the air conditioning and one for engine cooling. The AC fan comes on when the AC is running. This is a no-gain no-lose situation. The other fan should come on about 230° and shut off at (somebody help me out here. I can't remember :confused: .
If it makes you feel better, add a simple SPST (single pole, single throw) switch to turn on your engine cooling fan whenever you want. You can spend a bunch of money for a "kit" or just go up to Rat Shack, buy a switch and figger out how to put it in.
For an original radio, hit a local Corvette wrecking yard, buy one from a forum member, or try http://www.pacvette.com/ .
All of the above is my opinion. If I'm wrong, never mind. :^)
Rich
[Modified by Cap'n Rich, 7:31 PM 11/25/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 2
From: Windermere FL
Re: Need Some Pointers! (Cap'n Rich)
Problem one: clean the radiator and change the fluid. 160 degree thermostat couldn't hurt.
Problem two: Read through this. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=438515
Problem two: Read through this. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=438515
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Re: Need Some Pointers! (lawman2819)
Your temps are close to normal for an L98. THe General made em run hot for emissions.
Now to cool it down you need to do some work:
Pull the radiator and clean the area between it an the AC coil. Our cars are vaccum cleaners and all kinds of stuff collects in there and between the fins of the radiator. While you have it out flush the rest of the cooling system.
Replace the thermostat with a 160 or 180 degree one. Get a kit to turn your fan on earlier - I think yours comes on around 240. If you don't have dual fans get a kit to add the second fan.
When you put it all together you can use a 60/40 or 50/50 mix of green anti-freeze and distilled water. You can try a bottle of water wetter as well.
Without changing my fans and using a 160 thermostat my temps went from 240 no matter the outside temp at idle to 190 ish with cold weather and 230 in hot weather. Moving before temps were around 190, now they get down to 165.
Good Luck!
Now to cool it down you need to do some work:
Pull the radiator and clean the area between it an the AC coil. Our cars are vaccum cleaners and all kinds of stuff collects in there and between the fins of the radiator. While you have it out flush the rest of the cooling system.
Replace the thermostat with a 160 or 180 degree one. Get a kit to turn your fan on earlier - I think yours comes on around 240. If you don't have dual fans get a kit to add the second fan.
When you put it all together you can use a 60/40 or 50/50 mix of green anti-freeze and distilled water. You can try a bottle of water wetter as well.
Without changing my fans and using a 160 thermostat my temps went from 240 no matter the outside temp at idle to 190 ish with cold weather and 230 in hot weather. Moving before temps were around 190, now they get down to 165.
Good Luck!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Re: Need Some Pointers! (lawman2819)
I am using the Deral adjustable fan controll w/ AC Delco PN 10220957 170 thermostat (allows cooler running but also good heat in cold weather. For information on this go to : http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/dox/tips/cool/cool.htm before the conversion my main fan didn't come on till it hit 230 at idle, normal running was 180-190 w/180 thermostat now I run constant 170-180.
