Hey guys. Little backstory here. This Camaro has been sitting for about 12 years, started it for the first time in a few years just two months ago. Got it running and it is now in my driveway,

After driving my badass Camaro IROC for about 10-15 minutes, I noticed there was steam coming from the defrost vents, passenger side. Smelled sweet, immediately knew it is coolant. I think I have a bad heater core or hoses. I said F*** it, so I will swap out both and do a whole radiator flush and install new parts of the cooling system. If any tips, experience, or anyone who has done a cooling system swap, respond to the thread. I currently have the factory radiator with the single large fan, turned on by hitting a switch on the dashboard. Electric fan, really.​​​​​​

• Luxerad 3 row aluminum radiator with dual fans. (Factory has single fan, this has dual fans that are smaller. Any wiring tips would be helpful).
• 3-Ply reinforced silicone upper and lower radiator hoses (red).
• Heater core from Murray (O'Reilly distributor)
• Thermostat (Summit Racing)
• Thermostat gasket
• Coolant for GM models pre-1995

*Still needing heater core hoses but need to get the right size. If you know, let me know!

Will I need a new water pump with all of this? Will I need any modifications for fitting and how to set up wiring for dual fan? I could use one fan to turn on once it hits a certain temp and then use my switch for the other to turn on manually.

Thanks guys!

 

How old is the pump? If it's older than 5 years and the car isn't a daily I'd go ahead and replace it, you'll have the whole thing apart anyways so there will never be an easier time, and they aren't expensive. Just make sure you get the rotation right (don't by a v-belt pump for a serpentine car or vice versa).

If you have an electric fan setup already then you should be able to wire the new fans up to it and both will kick on. Unless one is a pusher and one is a puller, then that might be a different deal.

If you haven't bought the radiator yet i would look at possible getting a good metal OEM style unit, I've been running one in front of my 385 fastburn (350) for forever with a clutch fan and it does the job. Only benefit I've seen to aluminum ones is that they look pretty, haha.

 

Hey RedLeader289.

I do not know the age of the pump because I recently bought it sitting for 12 years. I would say definitely about 10-15 years old so I will swap it. What do you mean by "right rotation"? They do not always go the same direction, huh? I will make sure it fits inside of the SBC.

I did buy the radiator, I wanted to see who has used this brand. From what I founnd., aluminum disposes heat more effectively and last longer than heavier metal with less corrosion too. Plus it is lighter. It does look better though haha.

Maybe I can splice them together and use a wire nut to hold it into place? I will see!

 

Sounds like a plan!

yup, serpentine belts take one type of pump that spins a certain direction and v belts take the other.

 

Okay, I had no idea there was even such a part. I definitely will be staying in its traditional setup. O'reillys, here I come! Would you happen to know the size of the tubing for the heater core hoses? Maybe I can just measure the inlet and outlet of the heater core to find out.

 

Maybe 1”? If you ask for heater hose it’s all the same, you can always measure the inlets like you said.

 

Yeah I will get that squared away. Just gotta measure it.