Being that someone did a v8 swap before I bought the car and it's getting extremely hot how do I tell if they left the v6 radiator and fan in it? It's got a single electric fan with no shroud. I'm just thinking that maybe this setup isn't cooling it down enough cuz it was from the v6.

Also, I'm confused as what to use if I put a clutch or flex fan in. I'll post pics soon but I need to know how to install and if it'll keep it cooler. My electric fan is rigged up to a switch so I turn it on right away when driving in summer.

 

Things to check:

If it's getting hot going down the highway, make sure you have the airdam installed under the front end. IT HAS TO BE THERE! If not, you'll always have heating problems, even with a pristine cooling system.

What does the inside of the radiator look like? If you see lots of crud, time to take the radiator to a shop for cleaning.

Have you tested the thermostat? To do this, take it out and put it in a pan on the stove. Using a handheld thermometer, see what temp it opens at, and that it opens fully. If you take it out of you COLD engine, and it's not fully shut already then it's time to buy a new one.

If you have to pull the radiator for cleaning, pick all the rocks, bugs etc. out of the A/C condenser at the same time.

Don't go to a clutch/flex fan.

 

A radiator i have from an'86 2.8L S/C ('85 is the same)
has a 19.5" core area,while most v8 are 26"-some 82-85
non-A/C v8s also used a 19.5 radiator core(with belt-
drive fan),so the v-6 radiator might do the job if every
thing else is ok. The electric fan on the v-6 is the same
as the v-8s.
82-85 LG4 and LU5 firebirds used a belt drive clutch fan
of 17"dia.(camaro 18.5",different shrouds)
electric fan will have the least h/p draw,but also the
least airflow,clutch fan will have the most low speed
airflow and wont use much H/P as it freewheels at
over about 2000 rpm-(what i use on my car) Flex fan
will give lots of airflow at all speeds,but there will be
noticable H/P draw at over about 4500 rpm

 

Don't take this as gospel but, IIRC, the 2.8 radiators were opposite the way the v8 radiators were made. As in, the filler neck and water outlet (lower hose) were on the drivers side and the return (upper hose) was on the passenger. It would require some funky hoses to work.

After the 2.8 got s--t canned, the 3.1 radiators were the same as v8 though.

Again, that may not be 100% accurate. My '87 helms shows it that way though and a parts look-up shows matching radiator part numbers for a '91 v6 (3.1) or v8.

 

I just ordered a new 3 row radiator ($120) and should be at the store tomorrow or so. I have no idea if it will fit though?

My air dam is currently sitting in the trunk. My car isn't inspected yet so no highway driving yet.

 

install the air dam. It deflects air into the radiator. it is necessary.