Camaro/Vette radiators, electric fans...

[Big Paul]

Would a Camaro or Vette radiator be too much for a 2.8L?

I know they'd fit, but i'm guessing that the hose outlet/inlets would be all screwed up from the differences between the SBC and 2.8L.

I think my cooling system would be just fine with a proper fan.

The temp goes up to 240 and gradually comes back down. Its never overheated. Normal temp is 210 and sometimes it'll move up slowly to 240, like when i'm on the freeway or a few minutes after the truck is warm and i'm in town.

Part of that is my fault to have 50/50'd the antifreeze/water mix. Its about 80/20.

My the fan clutch went out, when the engine is off you can grap the fan and its real sloppy in its normal motion like the clutch isn't grabbing. It also has kept the usually 1 time deal of my 240 spikes more frequent, and i've noticed that it takes it longer to drop back down to normal temp with this bad clutch.

I'm pretty sure my cooling system is fine, just a new clutch and 50/50 water for summer should help.

But i'm wondering if I should go for that S-10 Flex-a-lite electric fan made especially for S-10s. The extra cooling and added security would be nice, also a little gain in power is great.

I donno if power gets sluggish with a worn fan clutch but it seems like it on my truck.

Oh well.

[speeder]

I used to have a 15" fan off of a Regal, or something with a 3.8. I will sel you the fan for $25 plus shipping. It works great and if you get the control thermostat from autozone, $30 it will only come on when you need it.

[92SonomaST]

I am running a 4 core heavy duty radiator that is a direct replacement. All auto parts stores have it available. It was 45 bucks more than a normal size radiator. I had to trim the rubber bisquits on the 4 corners and it fit.

Before I ran 200 to 210 with a 195 thermostat and as high as 230 with the A/C on. I was using the stodk pullys.

I now run 195 all the time with the small crank pully and larger alt pully. When I run the freeway for a while and get off into street traffic, the temp creeps up to just under the 210 mark with the A/C.

When I don't run the A/C it never foes above 195.

During cool weather I block off 1/2 of the radiator with cardboard. If it gets down in the 30's I block 80% so the motor can get warm enough to run the heater. This is a trade off I do not mind.

I have been checking out an electric fan, but have not decided yet.

Remember a cool engine is a good thing.

[Kramer]

too cool is bad though. proper coolant temp for best atomization of fuel is 195*

[Big Paul]

Hey Kramer what about above 195*?

I don't know why GM made the 2.8L run at 210, I keep thinking thats to keep it a pretty clean engine.

Speeder, I don't know. I haven't decided what I wanna do.

[TECHRF]

92 SONOMA ST
Do you have a part# for that rad? mine runs hot on the street w/ac on.

[Kramer]

for those of you with older vehicles like 10 yo with the green antifreeze sometimes they develop a white slime in the bottom of the radiator that can cause overheating

my moms astro van had this problem it ran fine without the ac but when it was on it overheated...

the bottom radiator port was clogged with the white goo

[92SonomaST]

No part number on the HD radiator. I had checked Auto Zone, O'riely's and Car Quest. They all said it was available and quoted within $2 of each other.

I got it from O'Riely's as they had one in their whare house and could get it the next day. All the others said 3 to 5 days. Get the phone book out and call until you find one. Do not forget radiator shops. I got the best price for one for my full size from a radiator shop that had one on site.