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Topic: i need help BAD!!

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/8/08 7:34pm Message 11 of 23
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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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
300* is WAAAAAY hot for an older smallblock....too hot for newer ones, too.
I'll bet you have a stuck thermostat, but there could be other things that could cause the massive meltdown, such as a water pump that has failed. Also, putting cold water into an already overheated engine can crack things, like heads, and blocks... That may be where the leak is coming from, but it could also leak from a hose that ruptured when it got hot.
I sure hope it didn't hurt anything, but I would suggest you change the engine oil before driving it any, after finding and fixing the overheat issue...


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i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/8/08 7:50pm Message 12 of 23
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my7t1
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Dorr, MI - USA
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Vette(s): 71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp
I would suggest that you fill radiator, and run it from cold start. If the temp. gage climbs over 200 degrees or so and the top hose or radiator remains cool, then you may have a stuck thermostat. Good luck.




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i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/8/08 8:05pm Message 13 of 23
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ebo
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Holland Patent, NY - USA
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Vette(s): #1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker
Heh, just a thought before I hit the hay. You said stat is new? could it be upside down?       Just a thought.....



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i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/9/08 7:18pm Message 14 of 23
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kstyer
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
Both?  there are 4.  Two radiator hoses, two heater hoses.  I am guessing you mean the radiator hoses.   Where the heater hoses hot also?


i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/9/08 8:36pm Message 15 of 23
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tuxblacray
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Greensburg, IN - USA
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Even a new thermostat can be faulty. I would pull it and do the old plop it in a pan of water on the stove trick to see if it opens up. I'm with brother Joel on changing the oil out too. It skeers me that the temp went up soo high. If your lucky the leak at the firewall will just be the pressure build up against the hose clamps. But then it may have damage the heater core simultaneously. If so that won't be any fun to change.

Once you fire it up you might watch the lower radiator hose too. It may not have the wire spring in it and could be collapsing which would attribute to a high heat temperature as well.


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i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/12/08 6:47am Message 16 of 23
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Holland, OH - USA
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Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition

   One thing you may want to do is something that just about everybody overlooks. Have your radiator cap pressure tested. These have been know to fail and cause overheating. It's designed to open at a pre-set pressure and vent the system. I agree that it's likely trouble is a thermostat, so a "hot pot" test would be a good test. If the thermostat is good and the water pump is not faulty, with the rad cap off, you should be able to see fluid moving in the radiator. If it isn't, usaully one of those two are at fault. I would start with the cheapest first. And DO change the oil after curing the problem. Good luck. Let us know what you find.

Jim




i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/13/08 5:33pm Message 17 of 23
garbageman_262
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Vette(s): My dad owns a 1972 stingray, it is all original, color is white.
hey everyone thanks alot with all your help i put a total of 3 thermostats in and they we all the right way!! i bypassed the heater core since it only gets driven when its a nice sunny day out. so my solution was to just take out the thermostat now it runs at about 110 120 degrees and its not leaking anywhere. so i don't know if maybe the water pump isn't moving the water well enough but o well im back in cleveland 500 miles from home so i will not be working on it for a while but thanks again everyone for the help you guys are quick and efficent!!!


i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/13/08 6:11pm Message 18 of 23
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kstyer
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
We will talk Monday at break time.  Come and find me.   There are several things for you to check on the next trip home.
 
For those who don't know Garbageman 262 is one of the students at the college.



i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/13/08 6:32pm Message 19 of 23
williammoore2
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Mundelein, IL - USA
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Vette(s): 1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.

Will leaving the thermostat out cause long term damage or something?

williammoore22008-07-13 18:33:25


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i need help BAD!!

Posted: 7/13/08 6:53pm Message 20 of 23
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kstyer
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
In some cases the left out t-stat will cause overheating.  Not always.  Depending on conditions, the water can go through the radiator so fast it comes out hot, and does not cool.
 
Also, a too cold engine will get poor fuel mileage, and poor performance.  Both contribute to early oil breakdown due to contamination, requiring more frequent oil changes to prevent other damage.
 
But generally speaking, the answer is no.



in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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