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no airflow through radiator

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Old Jul 27, 2013 | 09:24 PM
  #1  
FtrSpeedy's Avatar
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From: Iowa
Car: 14 scion tc/91 camaro rs
Engine: 2.5/ 360 pooch
Transmission: 6spd man/th350
Axle/Gears: na/2.73
no airflow through radiator

Well it seems i have no airflow through the radiator at highway speeds. Lower airdam is in place and in good shape. The electric fan has to stay on, doesnt get hot but i would like to figure out why.
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Old Jul 27, 2013 | 09:43 PM
  #2  
TAmaniac's Avatar
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From: Alabama
Car: 85 Trans Am
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 342
Re: no airflow through radiator

Are you sure the radiator is not clogged up?
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Old Jul 27, 2013 | 10:00 PM
  #3  
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From: Iowa
Car: 14 scion tc/91 camaro rs
Engine: 2.5/ 360 pooch
Transmission: 6spd man/th350
Axle/Gears: na/2.73
Re: no airflow through radiator

Am sure, before installing the taurus e-fan i went through and cleaned the radiator inside and out. Around town engine stays around 170-180
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Old Jul 27, 2013 | 10:26 PM
  #4  
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From: Alabama
Car: 85 Trans Am
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 342
Re: no airflow through radiator

I notice you have a .60 over block. Is that correct?
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Old Jul 27, 2013 | 10:56 PM
  #5  
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From: Iowa
Car: 14 scion tc/91 camaro rs
Engine: 2.5/ 360 pooch
Transmission: 6spd man/th350
Axle/Gears: na/2.73
Re: no airflow through radiator

Yes it is correct, i checked it few months aho when i had it apart for loss of oil at rocker arms.
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Old Jul 27, 2013 | 11:40 PM
  #6  
Ron U.S.M.C.'s Avatar
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From: Northern, CA
Car: 1989 Iroc-Z Camaro
Engine: TBI,5.0
Transmission: Automatic 700R4
Axle/Gears: Eaton Posi,3.42,LPW Ultimate Cover
Re: no airflow through radiator

Please don't take this as an insult but have you watched the fan blades as they come to a stop. I have dual fans .A pusher and a puller and had to watch closely as they come to a stop to determine if they are spinning correctly. You can't just put your hand in back of a fan that is supposed to be a puller to see if its pulling because a pushing fan will generate enough flow that not all of it will be pushed through radiator and whats left flows back towards the engine making it seem as if its pulling. Hopefully that makes sense to you. Any way you have to watch the blades stop or have tested the fan wire polarity before installation. At the very least place a piece of paper on the front of the condenser and see if it sticks.

Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; Jul 27, 2013 at 11:53 PM.
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Old Jul 27, 2013 | 11:52 PM
  #7  
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From: Iowa
Car: 14 scion tc/91 camaro rs
Engine: 2.5/ 360 pooch
Transmission: 6spd man/th350
Axle/Gears: na/2.73
Re: no airflow through radiator

No problem ron, yes the fan is pulling through the radiator. New rad cap, 50/50 mix, hoses are new water pump is in good shape. Just goin down the highway 55+ 2000rpm an up i have to leave the fan on or engine will get hot
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Old Jul 29, 2013 | 11:15 PM
  #8  
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From: Salt Lake
Car: 1989 IROC & ROLL-Z
Engine: L98 Vortec FIRST TPI
Transmission: T56, Mech Speedo
Axle/Gears: G92 J65 3.27
Re: no airflow through radiator

mind posting pictures of your air dam?
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Old Jul 30, 2013 | 08:22 PM
  #9  
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From: Iowa
Car: 14 scion tc/91 camaro rs
Engine: 2.5/ 360 pooch
Transmission: 6spd man/th350
Axle/Gears: na/2.73
Re: no airflow through radiator

Here are a couple pictures
Attached Thumbnails no airflow through radiator-2013-07-30_19-34   no airflow through radiator-2013-07-30_19-34   no airflow through radiator-2013-07-30_19-34  
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Old Aug 3, 2013 | 03:54 PM
  #10  
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From: Trumbull CT
Car: 87 TA clone
Engine: 70/70 Turbo 5.3 LS
Transmission: bullet proof 2004R
Axle/Gears: ford 8.8, 3.55 gears
Re: no airflow through radiator

if its heating up at highway speeds then the air dam is not working correctly. Fans become basically useless above 35mph as they in no way pull that amount of air. If you fans keep the engine cool at highway speeds its because air is not being forced up to the rad and is getting pushed somewhere else. Essentailly in front of your rad is like your cruising at low speed (city/town) and the fans are able to pull or push the non turbulent/moving air through the radiator.

You got to remember that your rad can't be clogged bc your fans can pull enough air through it to keep it cool around town. Only logical solution is your air dam isn't working.

air dam looks flimsy and i know thats prob bending back or something when air is moving at 55mph+. Figure out a new air dam or replace it and Im sure the issue will go away.

Im dealing with a simular situation but mines in a different ball game. Im in the process of making my own air dam to force it up into the rad/coolers. Mine is a 521BBF tho and creates alot of heat.
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Old Aug 3, 2013 | 07:58 PM
  #11  
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From: Iowa
Car: 14 scion tc/91 camaro rs
Engine: 2.5/ 360 pooch
Transmission: 6spd man/th350
Axle/Gears: na/2.73
Re: no airflow through radiator

All right thanks, thats all i was looking for before buying one.
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Old Aug 3, 2013 | 08:27 PM
  #12  
cc 82Z-28's Avatar
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From: Elyria, Ohio
Car: 82 Z-28
Engine: Built 406ci
Transmission: 700R4 w/3000 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Torsen Posi, Moser Axles
Re: no airflow through radiator

One thing I did to keep the air dam from flexing was to add some aluminum support straps that I bent and bolted in place to keep it from doing the flex thing, works great.
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Old Aug 5, 2013 | 10:13 PM
  #13  
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From: Queens Village, NY
Car: 88 Trans am
Re: no airflow through radiator

I have same problem before when it is in town, it is fine. But after i get on highway it stay on 220-240 on the gauge. Working correctly air dam make a huge different for me.
Although I do a little bit tune up: 180* thermostat, water pump, both radiator hose, belt, flush coolant 5 times (still dirty lol), 40%coolant 60%water + Royal Purple Coolant additive, Radiator caps. All those things work fine for local driving but still get hot on highway.
After I check again the air dam is missing half of it. I ordered a new one which is the 3 pieces GM air dam. It will work very effective than what i though. Before is between 1/2 - 3/4 of the temp gauge. After i install and drive around on highway it drop to 3/8 around 45mph.
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