Specs: 84 trans am
-GM Crate 350 ( http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=130&pid=383 )
-Edlebrock perfromer carb and manifold
-Edlebrock tubular exhaust system
-K&N filter
-180 thermostat
-2 13" electric fans always on (radiator)
-radiatior is new, but stock replacement.
-16" Flex fan (temporory / experiment)
--timing slightly advanced

i think thats all you need, ask about other parts if you need too

The car runs around normal temp usually 200-210, but any type of stop and go traffic takes it to 240, sometimes higher (if the gauge is right, and i think it is)

Once the engine heats up it does not cool down (maybe 5degrees if i hit 65mph)

Problem number one is how can I keep it from getting up to 240+ degrees.

Problem number 2 is the car feel like it loses roughly 1/4 of its power(mostly high end) after it heats up (230 and higher).
Is there anyting simple i can do to get cooler air to the filter/carb ?

thanks

 

Maybe your water pump is giving up the ghost.

 

Also some "water wetter" would help, it always makes a bit of a difference.

 

Water pump was repalced when i swapped the engine last summer

water wetter ?

 

Yea I believe its made by redline but I could be wrong

Its a coolant additive that really helps pull out heat.

Do you have any leaves/debris in front of the radiator?

Still have your AC condensor? what about a tranny cooler?

Do you have the radiator air dam underneith the radiator? that piece makes a HUGE difference.


Maybe your fan is weaing out from being "always on" and isn't spinning enough R's

 

No debris
AC condensor is gone.
Tranny cooler i think is still there, have to check on that.
Air dam is there

The AC and the air pump setups have been totally removed

the fans on the radiator are less than a year old
but i guess they might be wearing out.. i hope not

 

Your thermostat is about the right temp, but its the cheapest easiest piece to change

I recommend putting in a new one (no matter how new the existing one is) and see if your car responds better to that.

Its the first logical step in trouble shooting.

 

true...

i might even have a spare sitting around, i know i have a spare gasket

 

the mechanical fan wont help much without a shroud(sp). are you sure your gauge is accurate? What kind of shape are your hoses in ? How much clearence between your Aircleaner and hood? Are you running Coated headers?Dont assume the water pump is still good just because it is new....stuff happens.

 

the flex fan is more to move hot air off the engine, rather than bring air through the radiator. It was something of an experiment, doesnt seem to work so I will most likely take it off

The way i tested the gague was:
heat car up to 200, let it idle till it hit 240 on the gauge and timed it. The next day there was vitually identical weather I attached a mechanincal temp gague and got the same readings and times.

The hoses are all less than a year and a half old and they look fine.

there is about 1.5" clearance between the aircleaner and the hood

The headers were coated but it has been rusted away for awhile now

I really think the water pump is fine, anyway I can make sure?
I dont have the cash to replace it.


To tpi_roc' suggestion I changed the thermostat and nothing changed

 

Today i changed the plugs and wires

I had MSD universal V8 kit and AC Delco rapidfire plugs
Now I have Accel 8.8mm wires and Accel header plugs.

The car seems to run smoother, and for some reason cooler.
I was driving around and never broke 210, even in stop and go, it was a little cooler than usual today, but it used to get up to 240 even in the winter.

Weird ****

 

My dads motor home with a 454 had the same thing happen. He replaced just about everything in the ignition due to a seperate problem. Went to tackle the over heating and the problem was gone. Though it only showed up when pulling up hills or high rpms on the motor home.