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Topic: 82 Cooling

in Forum: C3 Engines

82 Cooling

Posted: 11/13/07 5:19pm Message 1 of 4
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Joined: 8/9/2005
Posts: 66
Vette(s): 82 dark red

Major breakthrough!  My 82 was getting very hot on the interstate in 90 degree weather.  Boiled over at rest stops.  Solution:

I bought the dual electric fan kit from Mid-America, thermostat turns it on at 190 and off at 170.  Problem was, it ran all the time in hot weather.  Something more going on.
 
When I removed the old fan shroud to install the dual electric kit (and discard the belt-driven fan and clutch and pulley), I could peer down between the radiator and the AC Condensor.  Lots of pine needles, old leaves, trash.  Less than ideal air flow.  No easy way to reach it and clean it.  Decided to pull the radiator and have it cleaned and resealed (considered new, but too expensive).  While it was out, swapped the old water pump for Mid-America black-painted hi-flow pump.  Replaced the thermostat with a 160-degree hi performance.  New hoses, and I removed the old vac-operated heater shut-off valve (couldn't believe that it was still working after 25 years anyway) and replaced it with a ball valve in the same spot.  (This means I have to open it manually for cold weather.)
 
Once all back together, here are the results:
 
The fan cycles on and off like a Japanese import, even idling in 90 degree weather!  On about two minutes, off for three of four.
 
In 70 degree weather, the fan only comes on at traffic lights.
 
Below 70 degrees, the fan doesn't even come on.
 
In all these cases, the dash temp gauge never goes above 190!
 
The engine runs more peppy, never pings, and feels as if it is saying, "Ahhhhh!"  This is with the original cross-fire injection intact.
 
I have also removed my air pump and all associated plumbing and fixtures.  One of the one-way valves blew backwards, and all my plastic plumbing and the three-way valve melted into a heap.   When one of the air injection tubes blew open while driving, I went home, cut the rest of them off, and inserted short, self-tapping metal scews into the holes, sealing them with hi-temp exhaust epoxy.  Sealed the cat air tube by cutting it, crimping it, and sealing with the hi-temp epoxy.  Disconnected the vacuum to the EGR; in fact, the only vac lines I left intact are to the brake booster, the headlights, the dash heater controls, and the MAP sensor.  Simpler, cleaner, cooler, easier to work on, and it feels better than a 25 year-old 350 with cross-fire.



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82 Cooling

Posted: 11/13/07 8:00pm Message 2 of 4
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Congrats on taming the heat beast!!
Feels good, don't it? Ya gotta watch all of the crap that will find it's way into the front of the radiator..it's amazing what you'll find!!


Joel Adams
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82 Cooling

Posted: 11/14/07 4:16am Message 3 of 4
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
Last June when I was in Nevada I hit a tumbleweed at about 70mph. I'm still finding pieces of it in the engine compartment.LOL


 
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82 Cooling

Posted: 11/14/07 5:30am Message 4 of 4
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Tucson, AZ - USA
Joined: 10/7/2007
Posts: 341
Vette(s): 1970 White L-46 Air Roadster, 1971 White LT1 Coupe, 1971 Red Auto Air Coupe, 383 stroker, 430 HP, 2002 Millennium Yellow Auto Coupe
I just installed one of these on my '71. When we got it, it had a single 16" fan, which worked fine until I installed the AC condenser, then it ran HOT.
 
These things, I found out, are made by Dewitts, they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. They come with PLENTY of wire, relays, sensor, and everything you need to install it properly. This is a great piece of hardware!




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