Summer's here and my car runs too COLD?

[deesandvees]

Got almost 15 miles on this new motor/trani (383 700r4 Edlebrock Carb, HEI distributor, eliminated ECU) around the neighborhood working out the kinks and here's where I'm at now...possibly a thermostat issue (but I have a new 180 degree thermostat)?

The temp guage (nice AutoMeter mechanical guage) reads between 120 & almost 140, never higher. Temp guage installed in driver's side head (vortec heads). I've got a new waterpump for my serpentine setup (can't remember what kind but it was the costly one) and a new three row radiator.

From the heater core I had the smaller hose running to the front of the intake manifold and the larger hose running to the top passenger side of the radiator. The water pump hole was plugged. Couldn't get it above the high 130's.

So then I bypassed the heater core by plugging the top passenger side hole in the radiator and running a hose from the intake manifold to the water pump. Took it around town and couldn't get the guage to even go above the 120 degree point it starts at. After taking it around town the hose from the water pump to the intake manifold was very warm (could hold it for a few seconds without taking hand off). I opened the radiator cap and could stick my finger in the antifreeze and it was just hot, not even close to burning hot, it was like hot bathwater.

Maybe someone could explain to me the flow of coolant in this system (serpentine setup if that matters other than I know I've got the right water pump because it goes the opposite direction as a regular waterpump).

Any ideas on why this motor won't get up to temp?

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by deesandvees

Got almost 15 miles on this new motor/trani (383 700r4 Edlebrock Carb, HEI distributor, eliminated ECU) around the neighborhood working out the kinks and here's where I'm at now...possibly a thermostat issue (but I have a new 180 degree thermostat)?

The temp guage (nice AutoMeter mechanical guage) reads between 120 & almost 140, never higher. Temp guage installed in driver's side head (vortec heads). I've got a new waterpump for my serpentine setup (can't remember what kind but it was the costly one) and a new three row radiator.

From the heater core I had the smaller hose running to the front of the intake manifold and the larger hose running to the top passenger side of the radiator. The water pump hole was plugged. Couldn't get it above the high 130's.

So then I bypassed the heater core by plugging the top passenger side hole in the radiator and running a hose from the intake manifold to the water pump. Took it around town and couldn't get the guage to even go above the 120 degree point it starts at. After taking it around town the hose from the water pump to the intake manifold was very warm (could hold it for a few seconds without taking hand off). I opened the radiator cap and could stick my finger in the antifreeze and it was just hot, not even close to burning hot, it was like hot bathwater.

Maybe someone could explain to me the flow of coolant in this system (serpentine setup if that matters other than I know I've got the right water pump because it goes the opposite direction as a regular waterpump).

Any ideas on why this motor won't get up to temp?

with the engine cold/running remove radiator cap and see if coolant is flowing , if it is remove thermostat and see if its open or place in a container and heat water with thermostat and thermometer and watch if thermostat opens at lower temp...if 180 it should remain closed until 175-185 deg...on temp rise.. it is possible coolant is bypassing thermostat...

[deesandvees]

Thanks, j cAT, that was my next plan was to test the thermostat out of the car. Before I bypassed the heater core I had the radiator cap off and noticed the coolant was flowing immediately on start up from the heater core to the radiator.

When you say it's "possible the coolant is bypassing the thermostat" do you mean because of how I've got hoses routed? I am unsure of the routing between the heater core and the intake manifold and waterpump. When I got the car the waterpump was plugged and the intake went to the heater core but I've seen on other Chevy's where the waterpump leads to the heater core but I don't think those Chevy's had the inlet on the passenger side of the radiator like mine does.

[deesandvees]

I'm also thinking maybe I've got an air bubble so my plan is tomorrow when I'm back working on it to attempt to bleed the coolant system.

Will this work: Start the car, make sure the coolant is full, and unscrew the plug in the top of my intake manifold by the waterneck until coolant starts to seep out and then screw it back in tight? Or is there a proper way to bleed the system?

Also, is the head the best location for the temp sensor for my aftermarket guage or is the intake manifold?