Topic: hot car, maybe???
in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems
It's not hard to install. I purchased , I think is a 10" fan from AutoZone and slid it between the radiator and evaporator and they come with some universal installation hardware that just slide through your radiator vents and ties. I use it with the factory fan still in. Have a toggle switch and just flips it on as I need it. Leaves it on awhile after I stop to cool it down under the hood as we all know those Bad Boys get very hot under there.(think I meant between radiator and condenser)
Lifetime MemberKaren;
A couple of more thoughts. Have you had the radiator out to have it professionally flushed and checked for blockages? Mine had a ton of stuff in it that was blocking a large part of the rad. Once flushed and reworked, it started leaking so I changed it out to a 4 core radiator.
I was running 210 to 230 before. I changed thermostats and everything else but couldn't get the heat down. The 4 core rad made a huge difference. It now runs between 190 and 200 no matter the conditions.
I also found that there was a gaping hole in the bottom of the radiator shroud. With the 80-82 front nose, you have ducted air coming up from the lower chin piece over the condensor for the a/c and the radiator behind it. You lose all that airflow if the shroud isn't complete all the way around the fan. I formed a piece of 18 gauge steel to fit the hole and riveted it into place. That also helped.
You can also check your bottom hose to see if it has a spring in it. If it doesn't, you definitely want to change it out for one that does. Press on it when it is cold and see if you can squeeze the hose together. If you can, you don't have a spring in it. This will make the lower hose subject to collapse under pressure.
You also may need to change your water pump for a higher flow rate pump.
Bottom line though, I would recommend you find someone who can check the temp of the hoses with a temp gun. The gauges on these cars are notoriously inaccurate. If you don't get over 200 this week with the temps they are saying you guys are going to get over the weekend, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you start approaching 220 on the gauge, then it can become an issue.
BTW, my wife is a Sandite. She graduated from Sand Springs HS in 78. Are you a long timer there?
So in addition to all the great advice posted above, you might want to give these seals a close look. My '78's are still functioning, but they're worthy of replacement before too much longer...
i hope i can do all of that myself. yes, i graduated from sand springs in 1977. my maiden name was boggs. born and raised a sandite.
thank you guys for all of your great help. i will start looking at all of this stuff this weekend. thank goodness my shop is air conditioned.
that's pretty good. i will have to get my yearbook out and look. 
I would also suggest checking the timing as, believe it or not, it could affect the temperature of your engine. It may also help with your stall problem. If the timing chain has never been checked, it may be time also.
JMHO !
Jim
Lifetime Member #73
The Money Pit.... and my niece 
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