Evilokc

I`ve been fighting an over heating problem for some time now. the thermostat is new, hoses are new, water pump is new and yet I was still over heating. found out my radiator was leaking where the plastic tanks connect. I'm sure that's where they all leak. I ordered an OEM replacement from o`rileys. $105.00 out the door. I was unable to locate my chilton repair manual so I was doing this blind. I will say that this is one of the easiest cars I have ever worked on. the radiator came out in just a few steps with no issue or bolts that were hard to reach.
1) drained coolant
2) removed lower and upper hoses
3) removed the trans cooler lines. didn't require any special tools. I used a 13mm box wrench without issue.
4) removed the 4 10mm bolts across the top of the shroud
5) removed the 2 lower shroud bolts.
6) unplugged and lifted out the fan assembly
7) lifted out the radiator

then reverse. that's really all there is to it. I did remove and clean out the over flow tank as well. it wasn't part of the radiator but it was gross and needed it. I took the car out for a 50 mile drive in 102 degree heat. I'm going to watch for leaks but so far its great. I'm hoping this will clear up the heating issue for good now. the car drives nice and I'm excited to get back to driving it.

Evilokc

so far so good. drove to work and the gym today. the car went up to about 235 on the expressway and then cooled off and ran just under 200 for the rest of the trip. it did get a little warmer in stop and go traffic in 102 degree weather but much much better.

2mnytys

I just did the same thing. I'm seeing about the same temps. except that my upper has only being about 225 for a short while.
I also used my heat gun and took the curve backwards out on my air dam. Just heated it up and held it with gloves while it cooled. Did one section at a time. So far it's holding its shape.

Evilokc

drove it to work again today. seems to be fixed. I have a 195 thermostat. I'm looking into installing a lower temp fan switch and a 180 thermostat. the fan switches have pretty shaky reviews though. so I'm a little hesitant.

Ron U.S.M.C.

This is the proper direction to go in.

I have mentioned this quite often and some are most likely tired of reading it, but....

As long as the radiator is in good working order then its the fan with a nice shroud covering as much of the radiator as possible,
a fan switch that comes on around 180*/190* and a 180* thermostat that will determine the lower temperatures you are looking for.

That goes for any size radiator.

Here is the Hypertech 4028 = 200* on / 185* off for the 180* thermostat at O'Reillys Autoparts = https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/h...+fan+swi+60600



Here's the part numbers and fan"on"temperatures.
Part # TFS8 = 204 on
# TFS4 = 213 on
# TFS1 = 224 on
You should be able to have these part numbers cross referenced if necessary.
You can still use the stock 195* thermostat with these switches.
There are switches available from Jet Performance = # 60600 at 195* on and 185* off.
also
Hypertec = # 4028 at 200* on and 185* off.
I would use a 180* thermostat with either of them.

Here's a link to the Hypertech at O'Reillys. = https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/h...camaro?q=fan+s

&

A link to a thread here with fan switches listed you might like = https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...ml#post3235878

Just scroll down a little.

Good luck with your project.

Evilokc

thank for the link ron. how many have used the factory replacement switches from summit? seems like that's the way to go but I read the reviews and they are pretty bad. have you used one? how long did it last? when that switch fails will the ac still turn the fan on?

Evilokc

it been nearly a month since I put in the new radiator from orileys. it was cheap and fit well. I was worried that I had a leak because every time I checked the fluid it was down a few inches. I kept topping it off and looking for leaks but there weren't any. one day I decided to stop adding fluid and see if it continued to drain. it didn't. seems like this radiator likes to sit about 2.5 inches down from the top. so after a month of 100 plus degree weather I call this a success. car will run up to about 220 and then drop and stay around 185-190 degrees while driving. gets a little warmer sitting at a light but never gets over 220 degrees. I'm pretty happy. score one for the race car.