Stroker LT1 Overheating
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Saugerties NY
Stroker LT1 Overheating
My LT1 Is Stroked Out To A 383 With Only 13,000 Miles On The Car. It Had A 160 Thermostat And Had Overheated Appearing That The Thermostat Stuck Closed. I Had Changed The Thermostat To A New 160 And The Engine Is Still Overheating.
The Water Pump Appears To Be Working. The Fans Are Working.
Any Ideas???
The Water Pump Appears To Be Working. The Fans Are Working.
Any Ideas???
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,388
Likes: 534
Well, I'm not an expert on the coolant aspect of C4s, but try checking to see if there is any debris trapped around your radiator. Leaves and all sorts of junk get sucked into that area, which can make an engine overheat. With that 383 that demands even better cooling, a debris covered radiator could cause some problems. 
What's the temp that your engine reaches?
What's the temp that your engine reaches?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Saugerties NY
IT will stay at 190 at idle, than just shoot up to 220. I took it for a drive when the temp was 192 it went to 199 then to 189 then to 210 all in a half mile country road non-stop drive at 30 - 40 MPH. When I parked it hit 230. I have checked for leaves and other debris and found nothing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Hmmm... Almost sounds like air in the system to me if it will just shoot up. I assume you've checked your coolant level and air in the system? You also might want to make sure you're radiator cap is holding pressure.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Sounds like an air bubble.....
Did you try the bleed screw on the pump? You need to follow the owners manual and have three hands. Bring up to temp--190. Then with the radiator cap off and coolant mixture in your left hand, use your right hand to bleed excess air out and until coolant starts to flow. Then close the bleed while adding coolant and when full, put the radiator cap back on. That should do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,388
Likes: 534
Originally Posted by DRM450
IT will stay at 190 at idle, than just shoot up to 220. I took it for a drive when the temp was 192 it went to 199 then to 189 then to 210 all in a half mile country road non-stop drive at 30 - 40 MPH. When I parked it hit 230. I have checked for leaves and other debris and found nothing.
I know it sounds crazy, but I've heard and read that 200-230 degree range is okay. Last time I read about this was when an LT-4 owner was worried about his engine because it was reaching 230. The "tech nerd", as he's called, advised that 230 was nothing to become too concerned with. It's understandable to be worry about it, I would too even if someone told me everything was alright.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 20
From: San Marcos Texas
Thats good, not to hot. So probably not a head gasket problem. Did you replace the radiator with a new one when you did the motor? Also check for junk inbetween the ac condensor and the radiator. Another thing to check is the fuel filter and fuel pump. If the car runs lean it will make the water temp jump up quickly. Do you have a custom tune for the 383? These are a few places to check. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Saugerties NY
The car is a 95 coupe with 13,000 miles on it. I bought the car in 11/94 and sent the car to Doug Rippie in the spring of 95 for a complete DRM 450 conversion. I run the car a 1/4 mile at a time. This is the first time it has overheated. I am going to try making sure the air is out of the system. Then go from there.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
get the after market fan switch. then you can operate the fans! and then run the fans non stop. check coolant!
make sure that you have enough and that the coolant is good.
if its bad looking then do a complete flush!!!
and then refill and retest!
make sure that you have enough and that the coolant is good.
if its bad looking then do a complete flush!!!
and then refill and retest!
