Running to hot

[buickbearcar]

Ok I just bought a 1983 buick regal that has a 403olds v8. The car came from the factory with a 3.8L v6. My problems is the car keeps getting to hot 😢 . The water pump/fan works well and I just put in a 160deg th. The only other thing I can think of is that the stock 3.8L raditor is to small.
There is some scale in the raditor but I am not sure how bad.

So will a new 3.8l raditor work, or do I need a bigger one?

 

[megaladon6]

was the 403ci dropped in just before you bought it? i would put in a v8 radiator(min) no matter what, but if the car has been used for awhile then that's not it. how long does it take to overheat? what kind of driving causes it the fastest? are you losing coolant?

 

[KrisW]

You ought to buy a radiator for your model car equipped with a 307 and air conditioning.

For what its worth, I've had that problem swapping from a 3.8 to a 340 buick small block.

It's just not enough radiator...

 

[GP403]

might be a dumb question, but did they put a fan shroud back on it? It really does make a difference. But yeah, if they left the v6 radiator in then that's most likely the problem. Or a combination. My 3-core keeps the 403 nice and cool (now).... Weren't the v6 rads just smaller, and 2-core also?

If it is a v8 radiator, it could just be plugged too. I had to put a new one in mine because of that reason. Would slowly get hot at highway speed. Could have got it tanked I suppose, but since I'm trying to fix er up and all... 😀

 

[Chevyman85]

I think everyone with a GBody has at one time had overheating issues. When I stepped up from the tired old 305 mine would overheat like crazy. Getting a good radiator is money well spent!

 

[buickbearcar]

Yes the car has a fan shroud. So sounds like I need to upgrade the radiator, so can I just put a stock radiator for a 307olds with A/C or do I need something more?Where can I get on for a good price?

Thanks for the help 😀

 

[Chevyman85]

Yes the car has a fan shroud. So sounds like I need to upgrade the radiator, so can I just a stock radiator for a 307olds with A/C or do I need something more?

Thanks for the help

That should do it. Just make sure you get one for A/C it will be a 3 core. And it should be a direct swap. I have a Monte Carlo 3 core in my car. You should be able to get a new one for $150-$175.

 

[buickbearcar]

Wow 150-175 thats not bad thanks for the help guys 😀 😀 😀

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I found my 3 core in almost new condition for $55 at the local U pull it yard. Just look at V8 G bodies and see which has the best 3 row radiator you can find. Alternatively, you could measure the aluminum/plastic radiator from a late 3rd gen F body with a 305 or 350 in it as they may be the same size and it will save a few pounds. Just be sure the inlet and outlet are in the same place. IIRC, I used an Olds 307 rad in my SBC 355 Cutlass and it works just fine. Even in 95 degree summer heat, sitting in traffic it never goes over 195.

 

[montecarlo78]

my monte has a radiator from a 92 camaro. it is an aluminum one core and i paid about 130 bucks from napa. the car never gets hotter than 175.

one of my friends also has this radiator. his car is an 85 cutlass with a built 403. with a 180 thermostat it wont get hotter than 190 with the AC on.