442 What dumb s**t did I do to my car today?? Running hot??

Status
Not open for further replies.
No matter how you slice it, the cooling system is not up to snuff. Make sure the thermostat isn't stuck shut, there's no combustion gases in the coolant, the fan is working, the water pump is moving coolant, and the radiator isn't plugged. It's pretty easy to do: just pull the radiator cap, start it up, and observe things as it warms up....
Ty That's a good place to start .
 
Bruce's rec's are spot on. There is an excellent chance that you wrecked the t-stat or the water pump.

No damage is going to occur at 240. Repeated 260+ is the problem.

Make sure the rad cap is good. 16 is good, an 18-20psi cap is better. And definitely confirm that your timing and carb on working as they should - delayed ignition timing or an excessively lean condition will cause silly coolant temps. Of course a heat gun is a needed item.

Please don't take this the wrong way - why the hell do you have the fan on a manual switch and not a thermostatic switch or both????
I've never seen pics of this before - does that fit under a stock hood?
 
Last edited:
Some other concerns I have are. What fuel are you running? What is the timing set at? Do you have a knock gauge? Heat is the enemy when you have a boosted engine. I have a couple. I try not to beat or get into a lot of boost on hot days. It will cause detonation and can turn bad. I run 93 octane in my Regal GS while it is hot out. My turbo Buick I always run 93 and try to put some 110 mixed in when it is hot. Cool days and it is game on! You need to get the coolant temperature down on a boosted engine or it will be a bad outcome. E85 is some awesome fuel if you are set up for it. If you do not have a knock gauge it would be in your best interest to get one if you are going to beat on it?
 
Some other concerns I have are. What fuel are you running? What is the timing set at? Do you have a knock gauge? Heat is the enemy when you have a boosted engine. I have a couple. I try not to beat or get into a lot of boost on hot days. It will cause detonation and can turn bad. I run 93 octane in my Regal GS while it is hot out. My turbo Buick I always run 93 and try to put some 110 mixed in when it is hot. Cool days and it is game on! You need to get the coolant temperature down on a boosted engine or it will be a bad outcome. E85 is some awesome fuel if you are set up for it. If you do not have a knock gauge it would be in your best interest to get one if you are going to beat on it?
I only run 93 and I usually top it off every time I go out. I never heard of a knock gauge, but I will look into it. Every time I hit the gas I use a gallon of gas lol. PS Yes this car doesn't like the hot weather I'm noticing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Turbo Zach
Ok so update. I removed the radiator cap and let her warm up. The water pump is working as I lost about a pint of coolant as she was warming up. Once up to operating temp, she stayed at 190. so then I added some coolant and put the cap back on and waited a few minutes. The thermostat seems to be working as the temp climbed and went back down. although she did hit 230. I checked the temp on my hoses at about 200 on my gauge. the top hose read 190 the lower 130. So with this said now ,does this seem normal ? Should I have not added more coolant? Should I consider doing a coolant flush? The coolant I lost I caught in a cup and the top inch was green and the bottom was a greenish rust color.
 
I think you gauge is good, if you took the temp from your top hose near the housing for the thermostat you should add about 10° degrees for the insulation the hose provides. And it looks like your rad is working with the drop in temperature. At what temperature does your fan kick in?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor