Is it common for these GM cars to overheat in traffic?

I have an overheating issue with my old '92 TA with a 350 c.i.d. I occasionally drive it in minor traffic and the needle tends to climb fast. On one occasion last year in 2024, I drove around a very busy L.A. freeway and the needle made it all the way up to 260 degrees. I exited immediately for fear of having a major problem. There was no smoke and I didn't notice any leaks or dripping. This seems to more of a problem where the car overheats when it is stalled in traffic. One day the car turned off as the light turned green, but that may be a different issue.

Looking at my repair bill from December 2023, I had the radiator replaced, thermostat replaced along with the radiator fan motor. Would you guess that maybe the water pump has gone bad?
I am asking in case there is something else that I missed. Maybe somebody here is having the same problem. I have to say that the car appears fine as long as it is moving fast in the freeways.

 

Does the fan/fans turn on when the temperature climbs?

 

Make sure the secondary fan is coming on and the fan switch on the pass side head is plugged in. It's common for the connector to get brittle and fall off.
the secondary fan comes on at 238 degs or so. If the a/c works, kick it on, that should kick on the fan too.
Make sure the water pump is correct and hasn't failed internally

 

Not really related to finding and fixing your problem and you live in California so you going to have to take one for the team for your car.

Push the HVAC slider to heater, push the temperature slider to full hot, turn the blower fan motor to its highest speed. This can help you out in a jam if your temps are creeping up. This assumes your car has a properly functioning heater.

 

If there was any kind of rubber seals between the fan shroud and the radiator, make sure those are still there. Fans should be forced to pull air from through the radiator, not from around the radiator.

I think if you had a water pump problem, it wouldn't just affect low vehicle speeds.

Make sure your coolant/water ratio is correct.

As was said, ensure both fans are coming on as well... no blown relays or fuses, etc...

 

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I did drive it on Friday and I did see a fan come on probably around 220 degrees. I couldn't really see down there as the space is cramped. I will have to do another test before I decide to take it to the pros.