I need help Beretta guys!

[crash5389]

Okay, so I just recently purchased a 1990 Beretta GT with a 3.1L, and I love everything about it... except for the radiator. I keep running into problems with it, and I was just curious as to whether or not many Berettas have radiator problems? I would also love to have feedback on the first step I should take on aftermarket upgrades! If you would reply, then that would be AWESOME! Thanks guys!

[wrightz28]

What kind of problems are yiou having with it?

[crash5389]

Well, when I got the car, it kept overheating. Well, yesterday I pulled it out and noticed two big gashes in it, so I know that didn't help things at all! But, I also had to get a new clip for my fan yesterday, and the fan still isn't working! I don't know how far back I would have to go into the wiring, but I hate having to dig into wiring!! lol... I also have a new clutch in it, and everytime I try to put it into reverse, it grinds like hell! I know that it isn't something that I have been doing, cuz I have known how to drive a stick every since I was nine so... ne thing you know would be awesome for me to learn, though... btw, props to the AMC!

[Blue Bowtie]

You don't necessarily have to dig into the actual wiring. The copper itself rarely fails (except in Hondas and Nissans, but that's a whole different thread). Problems are usually related to devices in the system, not the wires.

If the car has air conditioning, start the engine, turn on the AC or defrost, and see if the electric cooling fan turns on. If so, the fan wiring is not a problem. That exercise will test the fan motor, power wiring, relay, and the ECM fan output. If that all works properly, the first susect is the coolant temperature sensor or it's wiring.

[crash5389]

Now that I think about that, you sound right! My low coolant light kept coming on even though I had just filled it up, and I could never understand why! When I pulled my radiator out, then sensor was covered in white stuff, so it may have been causing it not to come on! When I took the old clip off, I touched the wires to my battery and the fan turned so I know the motor is good. Thanks, though! I have to go get another radiator tomorrow.
Life goes on! Thanks alot though.

[crash5389]

Okay, so I just got done watching horsepower tv, and they took these performance cams called like " Laser 4-7 swap cams", and they dynoed the small block chevy motor before and after, and these cams gave that motor 33 horsepower! Just wanting to know if there is something that I should have to do before I get 4-7 swap cams... anything to get beforehand? They're like 90 bucks. Get back at me guys!

[Blue Bowtie]

Crash,

That is a V-8 engine (SBC), whereas the 3.1V-6 has a completely different architecture. The only Chevy V-6 that is close is the 262 (4.3L) version, and cylinder order exchange is not a possibility on those engines.

Further, that camshaft is an old design, not new. Exchanging the #4 and #7 cylinders in the firing order on SBCs has been done since the 1960s. Actual results are mixed. With a carbureted intake, and specifically a common plenum intake like a Victor or Torkker or something similar, fuel starvation on the #7 cylinder can be "solved" by exchanging the cylinders in the firing order. However, in an EFI, MPFI, or split plenum type carbureted intake, there is virtually no difference in power generation. This has been documented hundreds of times, years ago in print, and repeatedly since on the WWW. An old-school engine might benefit, but the later, more modern schemes net very little if anything. GOOGLE for "4-7 swap" and "dyno graph" and see for yourself.

What's worse is that the cam in question is a flat-tappet design, further penalizing an engine for power due to limits on the lobe configuration (ramp and valve accel rate) over a roller lifter design. That's one expensive ($90) beer can crusher.

It doesn't really matter, since none of this is relevant to any engine typically found in a Beretta, or any wrong-wheel-drive vehicle.

[crash5389]

Yeah, i definitely felt dumb when i thought about that after i posted it, but I do want to do several things to my motor, like performance fuel injectors, and I am already looking at short ram intake. I have in mind a coilover kit, although that isn't what everyone else likes, it is what I like... but thanks for that advice, though... I'm not perfect, so I can definitely use it! l8r

[Shaggysan]

Try this site for hard core FWD GM performance parts. All their stuff is track/race proven.

www.mantapart.com