Cooling Discuss all of the aspects of cooling that you can think of! Radiators, transmissions, electric fans, etc.

Major cooling issues! Help!

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Old May 7, 2014 | 02:31 AM
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Uhltheman411's Avatar
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From: Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Car: 1988 Firebird Formula
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Manual
Axle/Gears: Dana 373
Major cooling issues! Help!

Hello everyone, I'm pretty new to the site but have used it a lot to work on my bird. Got a pretty big problem with my 1988 firebid formula 350 5 speed tho that is driving me crazy. RUNNING HOT! Sprung a leak in my last radiator cause of it. I've read a lot on here about it running hot and all and the temps which the fans kick on. So I know a little bit about this. So I went on eBay and bought a nice new 3 row aluminum race radiator. Installed it same was I read on here which worked fine and also bought 2 new 12" fans which are installed. Also put a new 195 thermostat in. So that said and done everything was put back together. Started the car and it warmed up fine drove it and stayed nice around 200 degrees. Parked it in the garage and let it run and it went right up to 235ish. I know both of my fans are kicking on. One at 226 and the other about 240ish. So I turn the car off and let it sit fans running and it starts boiling out of the radiator cap, pretty good 2. So now it's cool I take the cap off which is brand new with the radiator. Notice that the spring is fairly easy to depress. Must not be the right poundage. Went to parts store got a new cap, 16lbs OEM. Install and run the car, it heats up to 235ish again sitting, still with the fans working right and defiantly know the thermostat is good. So I turned it off again and go to the cap and nothing is coming out and overflow is rising. Look down at the fins by the cap and notice fluid really coming out. Must have sprung a leak or the radiator is bad. Was not doing this before the 16lbs cap. System was leak free besides the cap letting it out. Pretty bummed out at this point considering the money I've spent so far. Gonna try to get the radiator replaced and start over again. Plus I'm going to by a new fan cooling switch and a chip. So this is where I'm. Does anyone know why the radiator sprung a leak? Was the 16lbs to much? Also I've had this engine replaced years ago by some garage. Was a 305 tpi now it's a 350 with the same tpi. Is it a problem that the motor was changed to a bigger block and it still thinks it a 305? Called hyper tech today for a chip and the asked my model and trans so I told them 88 formula 350 manual and he said they don't make a chip for that. Gotta get a custom chip cause 88's didn't come 350 5 speed only 305. So my trans must have been changed out anyways called a guy that makes custom chip and he needs to know what injectors I have and I don't know if those were changed with the motor so I need to know how to locate the number on them. Any clues how to find this number? Some PLEASe HELP!
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