Fixing overheating problems
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 6
From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Fixing overheating problems
Okay all summer my car has been running hot. It normally stayed at about 220*, and if I raced anyone or got on the higway it would go as far as 230*. One day it got to 250* so I decided I had to fix it. First, I pulled the radiator and stock fan and fan clutch off. The radiator has som grass in the fins, so i vacuumed it out, then I flushed the radiator with water. BTW, previously, I was running 100% antifreeze. Now I am running half Antifreeze/half water. Also, I ditched my stock fan in favor of a flex fan with a solid mount to the water pump instead of the POS fan clutch. These mods alone made it run at 160* around town but it would still get to 220* on the highway. At this time, i did not have an airdam on the car. I removed it because it is torn up and is missing the lower part, so it only hangs down anyways. Yesterday at the junkyard, I found an airdam on a camaro, but its a different style than mine. Mine has multiple pieces and it curves from the radiator back to in front of the wheels. The camaro one only hangs down under the radiator and it hangs alot lower. Anyways, i put it on, and when I drove it to work this morning, it never got above 170, even going about 110 on the highway. The only downside is the airdam is ugly because it hangs down so far.
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1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."
------------------
1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."
Supreme Member

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,164
Likes: 1
From: Someone owes me 10,000 posts
Car: 99 Formula
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 342
I would rather have an ugly air dam than my car running at or above 230*.
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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite
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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite
yeah, overheating is no good, mine had problems in that area the whole summer, and I ended up replacing the whole cooling system. good that you got that fixed. the air dam on my car is the one piece version that hangs down. I've never seen different air dams on third-gens than that.
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'86 IROC 5-speed
305 LG4
edelbrock performer rpm intake
edelbrock 600 cfm carb
msd pro billet hei distributer
'95 3.23 rearend
hotchkis rear suspension
PST front polygraphite suspension
"speed kills. buy a f@&d, live forever."
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'86 IROC 5-speed
305 LG4
edelbrock performer rpm intake
edelbrock 600 cfm carb
msd pro billet hei distributer
'95 3.23 rearend
hotchkis rear suspension
PST front polygraphite suspension
"speed kills. buy a f@&d, live forever."
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: This spot right here --->*
Car: 2002 SOM z28
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T-56
I'd settle for ugly vs. overheating too. I have the one piece air dam as well on my 84.
I have just the opposite problem as you. Mine overheats in traffic, but is 160F on the highway (except on the very hot days). I attribute mine to that worthless 25% underdrive crank pulley I bought from March! Even on cool days like today (mid 60s) I was getting up there in temps...
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1984 z28 w/ a 357 cu in. monster engine which is looking like the posterchild for Edelbrock with the exception of the Holley 750vac... all the suspension stuff... 9-bolt posi disk is in...
-=ICON Motorsports=-
I have just the opposite problem as you. Mine overheats in traffic, but is 160F on the highway (except on the very hot days). I attribute mine to that worthless 25% underdrive crank pulley I bought from March! Even on cool days like today (mid 60s) I was getting up there in temps...

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1984 z28 w/ a 357 cu in. monster engine which is looking like the posterchild for Edelbrock with the exception of the Holley 750vac... all the suspension stuff... 9-bolt posi disk is in...
-=ICON Motorsports=-
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 6
From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
Yesterday I drove all the way home from work with the A/C on, and its a 30 mile highway drive. The car stayed at about 170* all the way. Whe i got off the highway finally, I was in rush hour traffic which is contstant stop and go, and the hottest it got was abotu 190*. I am very happy because I havent been able to use the A/C since i've had the car. Oh, btw, if anyone else with an overgeating LG4 or L69 wants to do these mods heres the prices.
Hayden Flex Fan - $25 at Pep Boys
Hayden 2" Fan Spacer - $17 at pep boys
Bigass Airdam from 88? Camaro - $10 from junk yard
Total cost: about $52
Using A/C: priceless... :P
------------------
1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."
Hayden Flex Fan - $25 at Pep Boys
Hayden 2" Fan Spacer - $17 at pep boys
Bigass Airdam from 88? Camaro - $10 from junk yard
Total cost: about $52
Using A/C: priceless... :P
------------------
1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."
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