1984 Camaro Z28 305 Overheating problem.

[Packczy]

I have a 1984 camaro z28 305 that has problems with overheating. In temperatures below 70 degrees I don't have problems but above this temp I do. I put in a new radiator, thermostat, water pump (OEM), added an extra electric fan, and put the transmission on a seperate cooler. The engine was rebuilt a about 5 years and I think I had some problem with the over heating even before the rebuild. I park the car during the summer because I can't stand driving with the heat on in the middle of summer to keep the engine cooler. Does anyone have any ideas on this. Would a high flow water pump work or what else can I look for?

Thanks

[pre]

Maybe a lower thermostat like 165 or a little higher.
A switch to manually turn on your fans might help out a lot.

My 87 305 firebird used to run really hot then I put in a new water pump and got the fans rigged up to run all the time. Problem was solved.

[BigJustinZ28]

ya know , mine used to do that right after I first bought it , 1 radiator , 1 waterpump , and one thermostat later . I found out it was a blown headgasket. Get it tested .

[llindsey44]

Originally Posted by Packczy

I have a 1984 camaro z28 305 that has problems with overheating. In temperatures below 70 degrees I don't have problems but above this temp I do. I put in a new radiator, thermostat, water pump (OEM), added an extra electric fan, and put the transmission on a seperate cooler. The engine was rebuilt a about 5 years and I think I had some problem with the over heating even before the rebuild. I park the car during the summer because I can't stand driving with the heat on in the middle of summer to keep the engine cooler. Does anyone have any ideas on this. Would a high flow water pump work or what else can I look for?

Thanks

I have a 1984 z28 that i am restoring I too had cooling problems I live in Florida put in new 4 core radiator wired toggle switch for fan and dropped thermostat to 165, I have had no other problems. You can purchase a thermostat kit at any auto parts house mount on your firewall install the well in your radiator port add a 12vdc relay set the thermostat to 170 problem solved all for under 50.00

[89IROC&RS]

does your fan work? if your relay is blown, or the fan switch in the side of the block is dead, the fan wont turn on and you overheat, also, a very overlooked aspect is the annoying plastic sheild that sticks down under the "chin" of the car that drags on everything and many people take off. or it gets broken off or worn down. its purpose is to keep hot air from being recirculated into the radiator. if you loose that, the hot air spins around through the radiator over and over, and you loose the cooling ability of the radiator its self, even though there isnt anything wrong with it.

[1992RS]

Have your motor sonic tested. If the water ports in the motor are some how cloged by say..old unflused antifreeze, then you could have a problem. You should have it flushed really good too. I'd also check the head gasket and the air damn like the other guys said too.

[89IROC&RS]

good call 92RS, i aften forget alot of people never service the cooling system. thats smart thinkin

[1992RS]

Yeah, I can be a pretty fart smeller some times. Beer is a wonderfull thing.

[ricardoliveira]

I already found the mistake in my vw. A few weeks ago i replaced a tube from the radiator circuit. In that operation i replaced and cleaned the radiator... and i made i mistake, i didnt "bleed" the radiator well, so it gained air... and air prevents the coolant to get into touch with the termostat, so the 1st fan velocity didnt worked... i looked in the net and come with a solution, i already did it and now its working well.

1 - warm the car to the middle temperature without the cap that covers the coolant resovoir.
2 - And now the trick... turn on the heat on the car to maximum... the coolant will run through the tubes to warm the air to warm the veihucle interior, and you will see bubles in the resovoir... after a few minutes until it stops give some gas to the car... just a little to bring the air up. turn off the car.
3 - with a key, unscrew the termostat until it comes a little water, as soon you see water, screw it again. cover with the cap the resovoir and try it out.

For me did work, try to find in google.com HOW TO CLEAN CAR RADIATOR

I just hope i dont have a leek in somewhere else, because if i have the air will enter again and bring back the problem. tomorrow i will try it again to see if it is ok.

Try this and give me your result to [email protected]

Hasta la bista.... and pass this solution to others........

[89IROC&RS]

um, i dont reccomend taking off the thermostat on a small block while at operating temp, and without a new gasket, your asking for further leaks. air in the system is a good point, but unless you recently drained your system, its unlikely. and again, i highly reccomend against opening any part of your cooling system while it is at temp. very bad idea.

[leoguy67]

I have the same car and I had a new fan installed that is hard wired and runs constantly and this is my second car same year and engine did same with both no probs. I found no matter what I did the fan wasn't kicking in enough in summer.takes a little longer to warm up mind you but after that I never have probs over heating.

[maxwedge]

This is an 11 year old thread!

[leoguy67]

Well you read it didnt you. It still came up on Google search so maybe someone might appreciate it.