Just replaced the radiator and stock thermostat in my car over the weekend. Now I know I have a small leak coming from the heater core and will be addressing that this coming weekend. Since I've replaced the before mentioned things the car runs at the same temp as it did before the swap for the new parts???

Coul the leak in the heater core be the cause for this? The lack of pressure or something like that? I'm no mechanic and can only make a speculation of what might be wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

89 Formula TPI 350
aluminum radiator
170 degree thermostat
new upper and lower radiator hoses

Its not that I'm over heating but, that nothing has changed since I put on the newer parts... doesn't seem right to me.

 

I dunno an, I bypassed my heater core. I would just go ahead and replace the heater core, I bought one, but returned it. It wasn't that much. It's just that they are a bitch to replace. First I'd fix that, or bypass it.

 

The heater core isnt too bad to replace. Just disconnect the hoses and pull the passenger side pannle down, loosen the "black box" and it slides out. Takes about an hour.

As far as cooling, what temp is your car running at?? If your old radiator was only partialy plugged the avarage temp wouldent change much.