alright, a few months ago i bought a 89 camaro 5 speed rs, with a 383 stroker. im in the navy and bought it on base from a coast guard guy. it sat for about 8 months, and new orleans humidity is brutal so i replaced the carb, starter, fuel pump, and thermostat. the coolant goes right from the radiator to the motor and back to the radiator, seeing as i nhooked the hoses from the heater core cuz i dont use it anyways and trying to keep it from overheating. but that didnt work. theres two fans behind the radiator, but if its in stop and go traffic, i just watch the water temp gauge just keep climbing (dash temp gauge inoperable). i know im prolly gonna have to flush the system, but any other ideas to keep it running cool? it runs good at 150-180, but 20-230 its a dog and i gotta pull over. oh and the thermostat is a 160 degree thermostat. im lost, any ideas?

 

1) I'm not sure, but the V6 cars might have had smaller radiators - look into that.

2) Usually - dual fans are controlled by the ECM and the A/C and/or a fan switch. If it still has this setup, I'd highly recommend a seperate controller for the fans. Since you have a 383 in there now, there's no ECM control of the primary fan (unless it's been rigged).

I have a Flex-a-lite controller from, Summit, costs $100 but worth every penny - it has a fully adjustable temp setting, prvisions for A/C and manual switches, very easy to wire.

3) Check timing as well - motor might need tuned better - timing issues can cause excessive heat in engines.

4) Be gentle with that 5speed - most 350's kill a 5 speed, that 383 is going to explose it quick - no tire spinning or clutch dumping or you'll be walking.

 

yeah its got the flexalite controller and dual fans in it. someone else was saying somethin bout the timing too. ill check into that

 

timing and tuning. a poorly running motor will generate more heat.

 

now on top of that, would the head gaskets possibly do something similar to that? im just trying to find out what the main problem is.

 

Head gaskets should cause it to boil over BEFORE it overheats and you'll notice other symptoms as well.

The heater core can actually help it cool slightly. It's nothing more than a second, tiny radiator.

Is it boiling over? If it is replace the radiator cap first. It's like $3-5 and when it wears out won't hold system pressure enough to keep the coolant from boiling prematurely.

 

it doesnt boil over, but last night it left me stranded cuz of a bunch of stop and go traffic tryin to turn around. i was at a stop light and it bogged down and died, and i had to push it outta the way. i looked at the water temp gauge and it said over 250. after it cooled down we tried jumping it and the ignitioin would just clunk. it wouldnt turn over at all.

 

Next time it does it to you, go twist your gas cap off. Does is realease a bunch of pressure?

 

I used to have an 84 w/ a new 383 that behaved just like that. I couldn't keep it cool- used a new radiator, different fans, etc, I never did figure it out but looking back at it I'm 99% certain it was because the fan shroud had been removed.

 

The reason I ask is that I seem to remember seeing a thread around here that went something like this...

Gunk in the fuel line and boiling gas from a fuel line with inadequate heat shielding caused a lean condition which caused overheating and dying when warm.

Now the not turning over is a horse of a different color. Without being able to hear that CLUNK, I'd say that your power source is/was bad.

 

alrighti know on my old truck, 92 sierra v6 5 speed, the fan shroud helped a lot. would finding a shroud to put on help on top of changing the timing to the correct position?