Every summer, my car runs fairly hot. The wierd thing is that my car usually runs hotter in the highway going 65-70+. The normal temp on the highway is usually about 220 and will peak sometimes on a really hot day at 230. T-stat is good and i flush every spring. I know some will say this is the normal operating temp for my engine but I'm gonna be driving this car long distances this summer and I want the car to run cool, maybe in the 180-200 range. My mechanic told me that radiator might not be cooling efficiently and that I should look into getting a new one before my trip.

Can I get low highway temps with my stock radiator? I've been looking into the Griffin Universal Aluminum radiator in my Jeg's mag. Does anyone have any experience with these radiators? I would rather not spend the $589 for a direct fit if a universal one could be installed.

Thanks

 

have you checked the lower air dam on the car? If that is missing, the car will not always cool down while cruising. My car runs around 180º while cruising in the summertime with a stock replacement radiator, 180º thermostat, and 185-200º thermal fan switch.

 

Ditto

 

Yes, my air dam in in place and free of debris. I have a 180* tstat in.

 

The lower air dam is in place and the radiator and condensor are free of debris? Just making sure we're on the same page here. I talked to one guy before who thought the air dam was the upper radiator support. (not a 3rd gen owner) lol
Have radiator cap pressure tested, or just replace it (like $3). Are you using the factory fan switch in the pass head? If so, here is a thread that has lower temp options.
There is also a sticky at the top of this forum that explains how to make a manual fan switch.
Hope some of this might help, but if you are already aware of all this, then my sincere apologies...

 

My air dam is installed(air dam, not radiator support lol) and radiator and condsensor are clean. As for the fan switch issue...it's a long story but...here we go...
The previous owner of my car had the dealer swap out the LG4 that my car originally had with a L69 HO 305. The L69s were supposed to came with a electric fan, but I guess the dealer just put the belt driven fan back on from the LG4. I called the dealer and complain to them and they finally let me talk to the head mechanic who told me that I should be getting relatively the same cooling with the belt driven fan. He told me maybe the clutch didn't work and to bring it in and they would replace it for $200. I think he was just trying to get me into the shop.

With that said...I can't wire up any fan switches, so what should I do?

 

Try replacing the clutch, like you stated. It worked for my 83 s/e when nothing else would, and it cost me like $20 and a few minutes work to replace.

 

So replacing the clutch actually made a difference?

Thanks for your help man.

 

When I installed the 355 into my 83 s/e, I could not get the car to run cool for the life of me. Griffin replacement radiator...no change...lower temp thermostat....no change....hi flow water pump....well, a little change....finally replaced the clutch fan....that's what finally fixed it.