berlinetta85

I've got an 89 Formula TPI 350... and I just replaced the radiator with an aluminum one as well as the thermostat with a 170 degree replacement. The hoses are new as well. I have yet to install my new heater core and temp sensor though which will go in this weekend...

My question is, since putting in these new parts my dash gauge doesn't go over 170 unless I'm sitting in traffic for a while and even then it only goes up a few degrees at best. The overflow tank when I check it doesn't fill up after my hour long communte home. I filled it up with some cool water last night to see if the cooling system would suck the water in, but the tank level hasn't changed even after an hour of driving? Does this mean my water pump isn't working? Or is the system running that cool that it doesn't need to use the overflow tank that much?

This is my first time modifying a cooling system and don't know what to look for if the system is running right with the mods I've made. I'd appreciate any info you people could provide me.

fly351

your thermastat works as a valve, if your engine gets over a 170 degrees it will open to let water flow through the engine. your car sounds like its working great to me..

just a question, how much did your radiator cost you? i have a 1989 firebird formula 5.0 TBI and i am going to be replacing mine soon. but i haven't looked around yet to see any prices.

-fly

berlinetta85

But wouldn't water from the overflow tank get sucked in through the engine? It just seems to me that it isn't working as it should? I'll be replacing my heater core this weekend, maybe the leak I have there is causing it not to work as I think it should? We'll see...

I picked up my radiator from Auto Zone. I know a guy there so I only had to fork over $80! Not bad for a brand new radiator. Retail price is more like $150, which still isn't bad. It has the plastic ends true... but my father has been running these radiators in his cars and has never had a problem. So I went the same route.

Desert86Roc

The coolant in the expansion tank is there for one reason... If your coolant gets hot enough, it expands into the tank, when it cools back down, it sucks it back into the radiator, However, you dont want it sucking air into the radiator, so they have a full cold line.

I dont know what you are complaining about...your system is working perfectly. 170* in the summer is awesome. It is not too hot, not too cool. You should be very pleased.

83CAMAROMAN

trust me man 170 is good.......my 83 runs at 170 all the time except for traffic.....then itll jump to 175 i have a three core radiator, new hoses a flex flan and a 160 stat........and i have to sit around idleing in traffic for a while for it to jump to 175.......trust me its a good thing.........i used tohave a 180 stat and constantly ran at 190 to 210 in trafffic.........no more......im cool runnings now man.....lol