Trying to get ahead of over heating
dvaugh
11-29-2005, 01:38 PM
My Son has a 1987 Z28 Camaro, I bought it for him about a year ago from a friend of mine who had owned since new. It has Air conditioning so it has double fans and I guess heavy duty cooling. In my sons time with the car their has been no cooling issues, and my friend never indicated that he had any cooling problems either.
I now have to replace the water pump and I am seriously considering a Stewart brand High volume (stage 1) water pump and thermostat. The main reason being the high numbers of threads here and on other forums concerning 3rd Gen camaro overheating. The impression I have come to is that Chevrolet engineered the cooling systems for these cars to be barely able to do the job. Now I am not in a high temp climate, (Seattle) nor does my son race the car but The frequency of forumn threads on over heating makes me want to get ahead of the problem, and my having to replace the pump is the perfect time to do it.
Cost isnt to much of a problem as the stewart pump is about 75.00 (about double what NAPA would get ) but my big concern is the rest of the cooling system. I will replace the radiator hoses and probably the heater hoses but is the high output pump likely to overload an 18 year old system? I really dont wish to find my cooling system springing leaks at every joint and junction point. My Radiator is in good shape (as far as I know) but am I about to stress it beond its capabillitys. I could use any feedback people might have.
I now have to replace the water pump and I am seriously considering a Stewart brand High volume (stage 1) water pump and thermostat. The main reason being the high numbers of threads here and on other forums concerning 3rd Gen camaro overheating. The impression I have come to is that Chevrolet engineered the cooling systems for these cars to be barely able to do the job. Now I am not in a high temp climate, (Seattle) nor does my son race the car but The frequency of forumn threads on over heating makes me want to get ahead of the problem, and my having to replace the pump is the perfect time to do it.
Cost isnt to much of a problem as the stewart pump is about 75.00 (about double what NAPA would get ) but my big concern is the rest of the cooling system. I will replace the radiator hoses and probably the heater hoses but is the high output pump likely to overload an 18 year old system? I really dont wish to find my cooling system springing leaks at every joint and junction point. My Radiator is in good shape (as far as I know) but am I about to stress it beond its capabillitys. I could use any feedback people might have.
NYC FRANK
11-29-2005, 09:45 PM
If you have to replace the pump anyway then definitely get the High Flow one. I would also get a Prestone Radiator Flush Kit . Change the coolant and put some Water Wetter in it and maybe a 160 thermostat in it (for the summer only) if your worried. Just my :2cents:
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026