So I’ve read through some of the other threads and haven’t been able to really find what I’m looking for. So to start, 1992 305 manual car. Purchased the car with a missing AC hose and factory dual fans wired to switches inside the car. No overheat problems at all. Fix the AC and get the system working normally, car gets HOT with the AC on. With the AC off the gauge will sit around 220, AC on it’ll will climb until I notice and turn the AC off for the car to cool back down. Going down the highway will slow the process of getting hot but won’t stop the problem. First I removed the 195 thermostat and installed a 160. No change. Installed a 3 core radiator and dual fans wired to run with key on (in the correct direction, I already checked). After the radiator and fan install with the AC off the car will sit below 220 on the gauge around 200ish but with the AC on, I have the same exact issue. I know it’s not the air dam as mines in place and the overheat occurs while stopped also. For additional context, I live in Texas and current ambient temps are high 90s to low 100s. Not sure what else to do as having the AC is a luxury I’d like to keep.

 

Recommend reading through this thread.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cool...verything.html

 

First and foremost...have you verified coolant temp matches the gauge reading? They are widely known to be inaccurate.

If that checks out, read through the link ULTM8Z posted.

 

Lol... we should make that thread a sticky. Pretty much covers everything.

 

my car actually gets cooler when a/c is turned on. that is because both fans are running. make sure you have 2"x2" of insulation on sides of rad/condensor, this keeps air flowing thru rad, not around it