ok 88 iroc l98 350tpi. new radiator. checked hoses.all ok. flushed coolant and am running 70-30 mix coolant to water. hard wired both fans to run. heater works. air dam in place and not damaged. running to 230 sitting still. if i get on the hwy right away it runs at 170(160F thermo) but as soon as i stop it starts to climb slowly. then i go and it only comes down to around 190-180. what do you guys think. water pump fins starting to go?? had the car for a year and thats the only problem i have with it. help me out.

 

A 50%/50% coolant/water mix is better. Water cools better. The coolant prevents corrosion, lubricates, raises the boiling point, and helps prevent the water from freezing, but it doesn't cool as well as water.
You can get an idea of how much wear your water pump has by loosening you belt/belts and wiggling the input shaft on it. Zero play is optimal, very little is acceptable.

 

i tried 50/50 and it climbed faster than it does now. i tired of driving and have it running great and than it heats up and then it doesent run right. a buddy has the same car and his sits at 175 all the time. i dont know what to do

 

lol at wetter water. not knockin the intelligence just a funny saying.

mine runs up to 235 then the fans come on..dont see how thats too hot. it will always climb slowly when ur sittin still, cuz u have no wind blowing on it like when u are at speed.

what do you mean by having both fans hardwired to run....when do they come on..or are they always on

 

the fans are wired to run all the time. my dad said 235 is too hot i know first v8 i have owned so i just winging it

 

Take a look at the A/C condenser...I mean a good look. Bet it's plugged full of crap, and if so you'll get no airflow across the radiator.

 

Does your fan have a shroud? I replaced almost everything in my cooling system and nothing worked. I also have a superchips chip in my car which turns my fans on sooner. It finaly holds a temp of about 180 after I made a custom shroud for my two fans and advanced my timing a few degrees. I also pulled my condensor out to improve air flow.