99transamgirl

iTrader: (1)

I have a 84 trans am with my 305 rebuilt. It has a different cam, not sure what but was told I need to run at least 91 octane now due to compression is the new engine, Edelbrock 1406 carb and vacuum distributor, no computer controlled engine now. has all new accessories. 700R4 rebuilt trans, 3.42 gears with posi. we have an electric fan that always runs. my car runs at about 225-230 on interstate and 215-220 on short trips. today was first long trip on interstate. it stays at 225-230 then when I reached town and slow down, especially at stop lights it goes to 240 and stays. my red zone is 260 I think.Is this normal? should it be this high and is it normal while sitting at lights in a busy town to go up like this? I have 600 miles on the rebuild engine. my car is black, the engine is painted, black all black, didn't know if that would keep it a little hotter. anything I can do to cool it down some? it runs at 2900 rpms at 70 mph so it's not too high. it gets better gas milage in the city than hwy. my starter wouldn't start again when I got back home tonight. thinks it's with the heat again even though it's been fine when driving 30 minutes and is wrapped. It's like the car didn't like running for 1hr 30 minutes today, just going a few counties over. what do you guys run on temp? thanks

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

What temp is your thermostat?

Above 35 MPH or so, the air flowing thru the radiator is faster than the air being pulled by the fan, so the fan running all the time is getting in the way.

jamon8

iTrader: (3)

lower air dam

99transamgirl

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for that info, I didn't think about that. the people who owned the car before us took the electric fan off of it's original wire and put it on a switch. I'm not sure if the wire is even there now or if it even works. to be honest, I'm not sure what therm. is in my car.I don't remember which one we bought. I'm wanting to say 160 but I know on my gauge it doesn't open until 220 the first time and after that it about 200 I guess b/c it opens right where it touched the bottom of the 220 line. I'll have to check. we do have an air dam on ours that is pretty low to the ground. it was the original to my car. I think my drive belt that runs the alternator is a little loose. not sure if this can be a cause or not. we just got the car back Mon. from getting the timing redone on the car from our mechanic.

jms

iTrader: (1)

I have seen people wire electric fans improperly and cause them to run backwards. It blocks the air from coming through the radiator.

You need to make sure the airdam is the original size. Over many years, they tend to grind themselves to a shorter height.

Put a 180 to 190 degree "fail-open" (when it fails it sticks open-not closed) thermostat in. 190 to 200 degrees on the road is just about perfect.

Also, the factory gauges are not to be trusted. Have you checked the actual temp with an aftermarket gauge?

jms

99transamgirl

iTrader: (1)

the wires are fine on the fan. it blows the air to the engine great. checked the air dam and it is also fine. my husband thinks it is like a 195 degree therm. we have in it. we tried the fail safe a few times and it didn't last long at all. how much does an aftermarket gauge cost?

intex1982

iTrader: (2)

my motor got around 235 and blew up pull to piston off the rods

99transamgirl

iTrader: (1)

wow, that's not good. I noticed my belts are a little loose. I'll tighten those and see how it goes.