Cooling system overhaul

[big2bird]

There are alot of Vettes out there that run hot, and it has nothing to do with the cooling system. They have either retarded ignition advance, run too lean, or both. Tune up your car properly before blaming the cooling system.

 

[minifridge1138]

The stock water pump has more than enough power to keep the engine cool.

The reason that C3 corvettes run hot is the shape of the front end. There is no real grill. The small vents in the front barely allow air flow across the radiator.

The best thing you can do to keep the engine cool is an aluminum radiator. My car was normally running at 220 -240 and i was running without a thermostat, so fluid was ALWAYS flowing. I could hit 260 going uphill.

The problem was the radiator. I upgraded to a DeWitt's direct fit and now I drive at any speed with the AC on and my temp gauge will not even hit 200. I am using the same fan and water pump.

I know that the DeWitt's radiators are expensive. But you get what you pay for. If you buy a high-flow edelbrock water pump, flex fan, electric fans, shroud and a cheap radiator, then you will have probably spent more than the cost of the DeWitt's.

 

[JohnZ]

Around 250-270 when moving, at idle it would go lower a bit, Fábio.

Is the plastic lower air dam in place below the front valance panel? Your car is a "bottom-breather", and depends on that easily-damaged air dam to deflect air up into the radiator at highway speed; if it's gone, the car WILL NOT cool on the highway.

 

[fabio]

I dont see anything in there John, I'll investigate further tonight. Maybe look into some pics to figure what is that air dam...

But I'm here to ask you guys about plug types and sizes. So my heater needs an overhaul, and I'm not willing to do it now so, instead of looping the system as it was before I preffer to plug it (intake and water pump outlets), but I'm confused by all the plug sizes and types, can you guys enlight me? NTP? -x AN?
Thanks,
Fábio.

 

[big2bird]

I dont see anything in there John, I'll investigate further tonight. Maybe look into some pics to figure what is that air dam...

But I'm here to ask you guys about plug types and sizes. So my heater needs an overhaul, and I'm not willing to do it now so, instead of looping the system as it was before I preffer to plug it (intake and water pump outlets), but I'm confused by all the plug sizes and types, can you guys enlight me? NTP? -x AN?
Thanks,
Fábio.

1/2"NPT and 3/4" NPT

 

[fabio]

So it seems that I have no air dam. From Eckler's catalog I couldnt figure where it fits.
Someone have any pics I could use to enlight me?

New question, about refilling the coolant, how should I proceed to purge the air from the system? Should I install an air bleeder on the unused ports of the thermostat housing? Or just unplug them every time?

Thanks.
Fabio.

 

[fabio]

Hey guys, thanks a lot for your posts on this thread.
Thanks to you my 15min/35$ Project became this:
EDL-8812 Water Pump, Mechanical, Short, High-Volume, Aluminum, Natural, Chevy, Corvette, 350
FEL-35062 Gasket, Composite, Water Outlet, Chevy/Pontiac, L6/V8
FLX-32124 Fan Mounting Brackets, Aluminum, Natural
LCT-37473 Silicone Sealer, Water Pump/Thermostat Housing RTV, Squeeze Tube, Gray, .37 oz
MIL-16401 Thermostat, 180 Degree, High-Flow, Copper/Brass
MOR-41090 Vacuum Caps, Plastic, Assortment, Set of 20
MRG-6129 Water Pump Pulley Shims, Aluminum, Set of 3
SME-2201 Cooling System Hose Drain, Aluminum, Natural, 1 3/4 in. Hose, Male Hose Barb
SUM-380150 Radiator Cap, Aluminum, Blue Anodized, Hexagon, 16 psi
SUM-380331 Radiator, Universal, Aluminum, Natural, 30.875 in. Wide, 19 in. High, 2.25 in. Thick
SUM-890016 Fan Control, Thermostatic, 200 Degrees On/185 Degrees Off, Kit
SUM-G1484B Pipe Plugs, Aluminum, Blue Anodized, Allen Head, Three 3/8 in. NPT, Three 1/2 in. NPT, Kit
SUM-G4904 Electric Fan, Single, 16 in. Diameter, Reversible, 2,010 cfm, Black, Plastic
WND-9007 EGR Block-Off Plate, Aluminum, Chevy, 262-400

+Pefect fit hoses from autozone and probably Ecklers lower valance panel and spoiler.

Can I reuse EGR gasket? Replace with cork?
Am I missing something?
Thanks,
Fabio.

 

[big2bird]

Can I reuse EGR gasket? Replace with cork?

No and No. They are exposed to exhaust heat. Get new ones.

 

[bmotojoe]

I hope using the short shaft pump will give you proper alignment with the crank and alternator pulleys.
Brian

 

[fabio]

No and No. They are exposed to exhaust heat. Get new ones.

They don't have it at Summit, I can make a new one from universal sheets, just not sure what the thickness and meterial to pick. Maybe this kit even has the gasket included.

 

[fabio]

I hope using the short shaft pump will give you proper alignment with the crank and alternator pulleys.
Brian

Edelbrock says that this model is made for Vettes only, I'm taking a few shims to ajust if needed though.

 

[big2bird]

They don't have it at Summit, I can make a new one from universal sheets, just not sure what the thickness and meterial to pick. Maybe this kit even has the gasket included.

The EGR block off kit may very well have it. If not, Autozone will have a fFelpro EGR gasket.

 

[fabio]

About the plugs, should I use aluminum or steel? I'm not sure what are the trade offs.
Seal with teflon tape or sealant paste?
What about gluing the gaskets? Nothing, gasket cement or RTV?

 

[big2bird]

About the plugs, should I use aluminum or steel? I'm not sure what are the trade offs.
Seal with teflon tape or sealant paste?
What about gluing the gaskets? Nothing, gasket cement or RTV?

I would try to avoid dis-similar metals. It promotes galvanic corrosin. Use thred sealer on the plugs. What kind of gaskets? I treat different gaskets and uses different ways.

 

[fabio]

I would try to avoid dis-similar metals. It promotes galvanic corrosin. Use thred sealer on the plugs. What kind of gaskets? I treat different gaskets and uses different ways.

For the water pump and thermostat housing I found the proper RTV as you see in my list, for the EGR I'm not sure if I should leave it alone or use something else.
I have some oil leaks in the timing chain cover and valve covers, what about there? Is there any rule of thumb? Gasket makers are no good right?

So many questions, I feel like a 4 year old

F'abio.

 

[big2bird]

For the water pump and thermostat housing I found the proper RTV as you see in my list, for the EGR I'm not sure if I should leave it alone or use something else.
I have some oil leaks in the timing chain cover and valve covers, what about there? Is there any rule of thumb? Gasket makers are no good right?

So many questions, I feel like a 4 year old

F'abio.

Felpro makes a re-usable blue silicone gasket for the stat that requires no sealant. Best I ever found. They also make a new valve cover gasket made like the 1 piece pan gasket. No sealant required, best I ever found.
EGR, NO sealer.
Timing cover and waterpump. I like Permatex #2. Horrible stuff. Works great.
As for gasket makers. On intake manifolds, I do not use the gaskets on the China walls. I use a 1/4" bead of silicone ONLY. Use good gaskets on the sides, hold in place with Gaskacinch, 1/8" bead around the water ports.

 

[pgtr]

Around 250-270 when moving, at idle it would go lower a bit, upper hose really hot and with pressure, steam out of some places. Lower

snip...


Fábio.

Interesting thread and sounds like the air dam may be a (the?) culprit... Are you going by the stock console guage? Sometimes they aren't always all that accurate due to age, incorrect sender etc...

Good luck