my car was running hot so my dad and i replaced the water pump and ran it with out the thermostat to see what it would do.
it consistantly ran just over 190. the car still has the air dam, both of the hoses are good, and the radiator is clean. i thought it wouldnt even warm up with the cooling system running all the time.
do i need a new radiator or am i missing something?

 

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thanks!
this is my first car so i need all the help i can get!

 

well i took my thermostat out and havnt had any trouble at all with it over heating..... is the fan turning on? does it work? check your oil (cap or dipstick) make sure it isnt milky from a blown head gasket

 

You"re right sdcamaro1904, you cannot run your coolant through too fast. Restrictors to slow down coolant flow are a myth. (I know, you can buy them in Jegs & Summit) I spent alot of time with Stewart/Warner & Meziere on this subject. The only time a removed thermostat might cause a problem is on some vehicles, the t'stat has a plunger on the bottom that closes a coolant bypass passage simaltaniously when the thermostat opens. This is not the case with your sbc engine. Running just over 190 is not a problem.

 

i was looking at it a little closer and the bottom radiator hose is starting to colapse so ill replace that and put the 'stat back in and leave it like it is.

 

well good luck let us know when u have solved the problem

 

PS....If your bottom radiator hose is colapsing you may have a plugged over flow hose or junk in the overflow reservoir that is not letting coolant pull back into the radiator. Be sure & blow through that hose & make sure it is free & clear....This is also a possible indication that your coolant level was somewhat low when the car was started. Just a thought.....

 

the coolant isnt low, we changed it when we changed the water pump.
its probably just a realy old hose and it isnt the spring loaded kind

 

also check EGR valve causes overheating as well