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My car has been running a bit on the warm side ever since I got it, just over a year ago. It developed a leak at one of the sensors on the tank and in the process of trying to fix it, I made it worse! I have since installed a new Fluidyne radiator and dual Derale 12" fans rated at 880 CFM each. I also replaced the thermostat with the correct style 180°. The engine has a Weiand water pump installed so I wasn't too surprised that it had the "wrong" T stat in it. I don't know how old this water pump is. I am still running warmer then I would like. I verified my temp with an IR gun. The car has an aftermarket temp gage and when it shows approximatly 230, my IR gun reads 210 at the thermostat housing. I took the car out over the weekend and buried the temp gage at 240 after about a half hour of interstate and in town driving. I was getting a little preignition in the engine when I would get on it, but no gurggling or boiling noises at all. I don't think I "OVER" heated it but it was a whole lot warmer then I would like it to be!!

Should I change out the water pump? Do I need bigger fans with more CFM's ...? I am at a loss for what to try next and looking for suggestions.

Thanks!!!
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quote:
The engine has a Weiand water pump

My understanding ... and George has written on this, surprised he didn't pick up on it in his reply ... is the Weiand is designed differently than the stock unit, does not have the bypass passage and thus can use any thermostat.

Have you made sure the fans are moving air the right direction? Have you checked voltage at the fans - bad connections can cause low voltage to be delivered.

How seriously did you go through the air purging routine? Once, twice, never?
It seemed to cool a bit on the interstate -still well above the 195° mark. My gage is poorly graduated -The marks jump from 195 to 240. I didn't get to drive more then a few miles so I don't know what it would have done if I kept going.

I checked for the brass restricter when I replaced the thermostat -it is in place.

I ordered some Hypercool to add to the coolant.

THANKS!
The passage blocked by the Weiand pump, if it is indeed blocked and hasn't been drilled out, will cause the motor to warm up improperly (no circulation of coolant at all, steam forms in the heads, bad), but it will not create an over-heating condition.

If the motor was overheating around town, Larry's questions seem to be on the right track; is the air purged properly, what's the voltage to the fans, are they moving air in the proper direction?

The fans are a high current load, and need 12 gauge wiring to insure there's no voltage drop in the wiring. Hopefully this circuit has been rewired, the fans are operated by new relays, the circuit for fan power does not pass through the ignition switch, etc.

cowboy from hell.
Thanks for all the replies!!

YES the fans are wired through relays with 10 or 12 gauge wire directly off the battery (through a circuit breaker and fuses). The only power from the ignition is to the low side of the relays so my fans will not run when the key is off (unless I turn them on with a manual switch). They are indeed blowing the right direction. I purged the air several times, lifting the front and then rear. After taking it for a drive I would lift the back and leave it on jack stands over night. I was hoping that if any air were left in the system it would purge to the pressure tank. I checked the level in the morning and it is always full. My temp sensor is located in the block, right behind the alt bracket and directly below the thermostat.

The IR gun would show 210 at the thermostat housing and 145 at the return hose at the water pump. I am thinking that either the pump may not be moving the coolant properly or that my NAPA thermostat isn't opening properly. I think I will order a Robert Shaw high flow thermostat and try that. It is the cheapest and easiest of the fixes I can think of!!!
I ordered the Flow Kooler from Summit. They have been back ordered for a month. Ironically, I paid for overnight shipping.

In the mean time I tracked it down at a local speed shop.

I haven't tracked the order to see if was cancelled after a certain amount of time, but if they still send it to me I will check back in with you. If you haven't found one I will send it to you.

R.
You might just order the thermostat from Wilkinson...they're around $12 but he's got the right one. I went on the hunt for thermostats about six months ago and I kept getting the thermostat for the Windsor when the part was pulled up and brought to the counter. I checked everywhere and then went to Wilkinson...I wasted so much time it not even funny.
Thank you everyone for the replies!

I took the car out for a drive this weekend and ran it about 5 miles down the interstate out and back (total of 10 miles). It took a while but it heated up. It got right up to the 240 mark which I am guessing is actually about 230. I started to get a little pre ignition when I would "get on it" but no complaints from the engine or cooling system otherwise (no gurggling or boiling noises). It was a perfect, cool morning for a drive too! Only about 75°–80° out.
Only one fan came on for the longest time but eventually they both came on and stayed on. I don't know if I am not moving enough coolant or enough air. I considered pulling the thermostat all together just to see if it was the problem. Would anyone recommend this??

Does an Edelbrock water pump move more coolant then the Weiand? I have NO idea how old this Weiand pump is or if the passage has been drilled.

Thanks again!!
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