ok id appreciate everyones help.
car:1990 camaro RS 305TBI 99% Stock
Fan: rigged to run full time
50/50 coolant to water (new)
new 195* thermostat
new heater diverter valve and hoses
tried a new radiator cap (didnt work so i returned it)
new fan motor...old one wasnt working
changed oil mobil 1
new overflow tank
heater works and top radiator hose heats and pressurizes. tranny fluid is good. i live in hilly san francisco. heat hovers just above 220 mark and sometimes redlines. am i running too much antifreeze?? what is wrong?? should i try the Chevy 170* thermostat?? thanks
Rick


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Rick
90 Camaro RS 305 TBI
350 on the way!!

 

i used to live in Fresno so i know that you mean about Cali heat. what is the timing setting on your car? check on the condition of your water pump. what "color" is the coolant. don't just say green, be real specific. is there foreign debris (dirt) in the overflow bottle? if so, you probably have a good portion of your radiator and block filled with this stuff. it needs to be pulled and rodded by a radiator shop. i had mine done and it was a huge improvement. my temp wasn't like yours but it came down a lot anyways. one last thing, make sure your brakes aren't dragging, sounds dumb but they can put more strain on the motor than you think, especially if you're at the bottom of California street or something like that.

 

if you live in stop and go traffic it will not run that cool especially in warm weather. i live memphis --89 rs 99% stock 305 tbi 195* stat and in stop in go traffic downtown i will still heat up to 220.. that car needs air running across to keep cool. i still dont understand why you redline though. have you checked out the water pump, it will seep water out of the small hole on top. what temp does it run on the freeway? mine never gets above 160. let me know if i helped.

 

"If" you are missing the black lower air deflector in the front it can cause your car to run hot.

 

BlackBeauty,
I have a 1990 RS 305 TBI bone stock. I run a
Derale temp controller (summer only) to kick on the fan around 195 and run a 180 degree thermostat. I switch to the factory setup in the winter. I also run a manual fan switch as backup. Of course, none of this helps if your fan is running all the time and the car still runs hot.
Is your air dam still intact? BTW, I dont use that much antifreeze more like 70/30
How old is the radiator? Btw, what 350 are you going to buy?
Later

 

Try changing out the temp guage circuit and/or the coolant fan temp switch before buying a new fan. Worked great one my problem.




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"The first step towards failure is trying"

Homer Simpson

 

Check to see if lower rad hose is colapsing and choking off flow. Also, fwiw, I had an overhaeting problem in a Caprice V8. Plenty of water flowing through the rad, fan working, air dam in place, etc... Tried everything known to man, still overheated. Finally, put in a NEW RADIATOR, and it ran cool again. new 3-row rad, only $73 at Autozone.

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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.

 

guys...this was OVER a year ago...i had 5 pinholes in my radiator...a little JB weld and shes running GREAT to this day

thanks anyways.
Rick