Rebeldryver's '65 Impala SS Black Betty

[kyhunter89]

When is it overheating? Do you have the airdam under the coresupport? Any chance its bad headgasket, too lean, timing off?

[Scott Liggett]

When is it overheating? Do you have the airdam under the coresupport? Any chance its bad headgasket, too lean, timing off?

No air dam. Never had one. Its not a 3rd gen camaro.

Its overheating when stuck in traffic which happens every day in LA. I dont think its a head gasket because it does cool off when moving. If the gasket was gone.where engine compression was being pumped into the system, it would just keep getting hotter.

Checked timing. 18* initial and 36* total. If anything the carb is running rich.

[mlcraven]

Those are all thoughts, but since the car cooled fine for years with this radiator. I'm thinking the radiator is done in. I bought it used nearly a decade ago, but wanted to be sure before spending good money on another. I hate spending hundreds of dollars on thingdls that arent broken. My income level doesnt allow it.

Years ago I had a similar problem with a 429 Torino GT -- turned out to be the radiator cap. Last thing I thought to check and back in 1978 a brand-new Stant sold for practically peanuts. But I'm sure you've checked that.

[kyhunter89]

As long as your belt is tight, next thing I would do is a radiator. Air dams arent just for 3rd gen camaros. How long has it been doing this? I dont think your making enough power to need more than those fans will push.

Rad cap is very often overlooked, solved two of three overheating problems I dealt with this summer.

[Scott Liggett]

Its all fairly recent.

Michael, I put a new Stant cap on it when I replaced the Super Stant thermostat. I thought I would put the old cap back on as a check, but I guess I tossed it. I will check the new one.

[yellomalibu]

Aren't the electric fans a recent change?
Do you still have your old set-up?


I've heard CLR is good for cleaning out clogged radiators, but not aluminum ones... I, personally, would still hesitate to use it in a brass/ copper radiator - but if the next step is to buy a new radiator, then why not give it a shot.

[Bamfster]

I put twin 2100 cfm fans on the chevelle in an attempt to get away from the engine driven fan. Once the outside temps got over 75, the temp would slowly creep in slow traffic, and not even drop back down (it would cool some) once I would get moving. I resorted back to the mechanical fan and viola .... right back down to 180-190 in slow/stop n go traffic. I did keep the electrics for cool down between rounds at the track.

420 hp small block
3 core copper/brass rad
180* t-stat
19" flexalite mech fan w/factory shroud

I did drop about 9* (at speed) by making sure the rad was sealed to the core support, adding an air dam, and closing off the area between the core support and header panel to force more flow thru the rad as well.

[Scott Liggett]

I put twin 2100 cfm fans on the chevelle in an attempt to get away from the engine driven fan. Once the outside temps got over 75, the temp would slowly creep in slow traffic, and not even drop back down (it would cool some) once I would get moving. I resorted back to the mechanical fan and viola .... right back down to 180-190 in slow/stop n go traffic. I did keep the electrics for cool down between rounds at the track.

420 hp small block
3 core copper/brass rad
180* t-stat
19" flexalite mech fan w/factory shroud

I did drop about 9* (at speed) by making sure the rad was sealed to the core support, adding an air dam, and closing off the area between the core support and header panel to force more flow thru the rad as well.

The fan is now on the Caprice, but the crappy chrome shroud is gone. Hmmmmmm.

[Bamfster]

I'll get some pics for you today to show what I did ....

[Blazerteam]

If you want to dream about wheels ..how about these ones?

https://www.yearone.com/Product/DisplayProduct/423139

[patrickth]

I stuck a temp probe in the radiator while the car was idleing at 200* on the temp gauge. (The temp gauge probe is in the top of the intake next to the water neck.) The probe read about 180* at the top of the radiator core and 130* at the bottom. I dont know if that is good or bad, but it does show the fans are pulling some heat out.

Also, the top hose is getting rock hard. I am wondering if I have the beginnings of a head gasket issue. In case, you are wondering about my paranoia; I am leaving on Oct. 12th to drive 1200 miles on a trip.

Go to an old school pharmacy and ask them for a bottle of egg keep. It kept my old Impala with a 348 on the road many a time, since it ate head gaskets for breakfast.

[Scott Liggett]

If you want to dream about wheels ..how about these ones?

https://www.yearone.com/Product/DisplayProduct/423139

I thought about those for the Caprice.

[Scott Liggett]

Pressure tested the radiator today. It blew it wad all over the driveway. I guess I am buying a nw one.

[squirrel]

oops.

Hope that helps the cooling...

[Scott Liggett]

I guess you missed it when I said it was a used radiator when I bought it ten years ago.