DeWitt Radiators

[rascal_rascal_99]

Fans are by-passed to run all the time so that is not the issue. You could be right about the thermostat.... or one better it may be removed altogether - it is behaving more like that than anything else. Only 103,000 miles on the car but of course, would still definitely flush the system with all new radiator.

There is the theory that with no thermostat at all (if that happens to be the case) that with no restriction slowing down the water flow at all, the water doesn't spend enough time in the radiator to cool down. It might be worth it for you to start cheap and simple here and install a new thermostat without doing anything else yet and see what happens from there?

 

[John Robinson]

I looked up what GM said in the owners manual about water temperature and oil temperature. You may find this interesting.
Engine Coolant

The following explains you cooling system and how to add coolant when it is low. If you have problem with engine overheating see the Index under Engine overheating.

The proper coolant for your Corvette will:

• Give freezing protection down to –34 F (-37C).

• Give boiling protection up to 262F (128C).

• Protect against rust and corrosion.

• Help keep the proper engine temperature.

• Let the warning lights work as they should.

Engine Oil Temperature Gage


This gauge shows your oil temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s normal for the oil temperature to vary, depending on the type of driving you do and the weather conditions. If you drive for a long time, such as on a trip, the gage will show a higher reading than if you had driven for only a short time. And if it’s hot outside, the reading will be higher than if it were cold outside.

If your oil temperature approaches the shaded area and stays there for some time, your oil temperature is too high. Check the engine oil level and bring your vehicle in for service. You should also check the engine coolant temperature. If your engine is to hot, see the Index under Engine Cooling System.

If you are only getting up to 240 to 250 F then you are still way below the point of overheating. As you can see the boiling point is 262F. On my stock 93 in 100 degree heat the fans do not even come on until the temperature reaches 228degrees. That is the point that GM determined was acceptable for the engine to run at. As for the oil temperature again GM tested the high temperatures the oil would reach and they determined that Mobil 1 a synthetic would hold up under the higher temperatures that the car was running at. You may ask why did GM chose to run these engines so hot. It is a well know engineering fact that the higher the heat that an engine can run the more efficient it is. This then tells us that in order to meet emission and mileage requirements GM intended for the Corvette to run at these temperatures.

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[chevyaddict]

Perhaps (with regard to article information above)..... and its true that even at those temperatures I do not hear boiling nor smell coolant. HOWEVER, there is engine pinging when it gets to those temps (and I use top grade fuel) and hotter means faster wearing parts, regardless of "efficiency". Therefore she is gonna run cooler one way or another.

I knew that about the "no thermostat" situation. Just been too busy to check and it only hit me about a week ago that may be what is occurring.

Doesn't matter though. Those fans are a booger to replace and only one is working - the other died. I have to pull the entire thing apart to change them. If I'm doing that a new radiator is going in. For me time is precious and I don't have the time to repeat work so might as well do the whole ordeal. I'm just simply trying to figure out which is the best radiator to use.

 

[geekinavette]

Those fans are a booger to replace and only one is working - the other died.

Well no wonder it's overheating at idle! You're seriously lacking airflow with only one fan working...HAVE to fix that!

 

[rascal_rascal_99]

Those fans are a booger to replace and only one is working - the other died.

Well no wonder it's overheating at idle! You're seriously lacking airflow with only one fan working...HAVE to fix that!

DOH!!!! Bingo!! :L

Although considering your location and the normal weather temp's you deal with, if I was in your shoe's and could spare the change for it, I'd be putting in the dewitt's radiator as well.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

I have had good luck with both Dewitt's and BeCool products but the best cure for a hot running Vette is Evan's Waterless Coolant.

I have been using waterless coolant in Thunder since the 383 installation. It have never seen 200º not even while pulling a trailer up a mountain in August stop and go tourist traffic.