I own a 91 firebird V6 3.1liter and I recently changed the front bumper installing the 88-90 TA one.

The coolant system works ok, but with this new bumper cover it arrives less air than before and the engine heats a lot. The fan starts regularly at 210 and also the thermostat starts ok, but when restarting from traffic the temperature goes down in much more time than before.

Possible solutions :
1. Installing a thermostat starting at a lower temperature.

2. Installing the hood vents (two laterals and two just over the nose) and
the fender vents. Does this help or these vents are only decorative ?

3. Could it be good a central ram air just over the v6 manifold to discharge
more hot air ?

I wait for you opinions.

Thanks a lot for your help.
Alessandro
from Italy

 

when you replaced the facia, did you remove and or reinstall the radiator air dam if not thats your problem.

is there a black piece of plastic mounted directly under your radiator that crosses car from side to side? you know the piece that scrapes the parking blocks or curb should you pull to close.

with out it your car will overheat while driving and cool down when stopped.

the function of the air dam is to break up the low pressure area that happens at speed in front of our radiators. without it there is no airflow to the radiator while moving.

again mods if you can this topic of air dams on third gens should be a sticky.
i know some camaros might not need it do the open front end but EVERY pontiac third gen has to have a air dam or car will overheat while driving due to lack of airflow over radiator.

hope this solves your problem.

 

Yes this piece is already in its place and it was the first thing to that I thought.

And what about the vents on hood and fenders ?

p.s. be so kind and explain me what's the meaning of
"again mods if you can this topic of air dams on third gens should be a sticky." ... my english is good, but not so good ... Thanks.

 

the vents on my hood do allow some air to come out. however they were there for decoration not much else. i can feel heat come from them when i shut car off, not much though.

i just think there should be a "sticky" post at top of cooling section describing the need for the air dam and why it should never be removed.

i can't count on my fingers and toes how many times i've seen that being the cause of a problem.

now back to your problem. has the car actually overheated or is it able to maintain temp below 220 deg.

if it has not overheated there may not be a issue at all.

in regards to installing a lower temp t-stat. that will have no function over fan turn on temp. you can purchase a lower temp fan switch for that application

 

Usually the fan starts at more or less 220 deg and temperature goes down, so I think this works properly.

I'll try to install a lower thermostat and a different fan switch, which is the easiest way and see the result.

In any case thaks a lot for your help.

 

what kind of temps do you live in. you really don't need to much below a 190f deg thermostat ideally fans at about the same time.

been along time since mines been stock.
i have electric waterpump and switched fans with no t-stat but mines strictly a summer car.

 

I live in Norther-East Italy and in the summer the temperature goes up until 35c° (95 farenheit) ... I'll try to install a new thermostat, which is easy and cheap and will see the result.

Many, many thanks for your help.