CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Mild Modifications => Topic started by: Jbyer8 on September 29, 2013, 07:14:45 PM

Title: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 29, 2013, 07:14:45 PM
Just bought a 67 camaro with a 427. She runs pretty hot when idling. Live in Texas where it's pretty warm. I think the radiator is original. What are my options to keep her cool when idling?
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: 69pace on September 30, 2013, 12:02:19 AM
Well you have a few options.
Use a cooling additive.
Change timing advance to manifold that will help.
Check that the water pump impeller isn't all chewed up.
 
Since it is not a factory engine what type of fan and shroud are being used.
How many rows are on the factory radiator and was it a 396 big block car to begin with or is the radiator small block based.    

Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 12:48:52 AM
This is probably a bad sign but I'm not sure what you mean by  type of fan a shroud . The trim tag is missing so I'm not sure if radiator is made for a BB. The best I can say is that it has two fans on it. I'll try and post a pic.
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 12:52:55 AM
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Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 12:53:18 AM
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Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 01:05:29 AM
I just noticed my fan never kicked on. Runs at 180-190 but idle shoots up quick. Disconnected the positive fan wire connected straight to battery and both fans kicked in so I know the fan motor works. Is it possible the little control box is bad? What would that part be called? See next picture.
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 01:06:34 AM
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Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: cook_dw on September 30, 2013, 01:17:23 AM
That is a 5 terminal relay.  See if the wiring is like this.

(http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/efaninstall2.gif)
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 01:55:45 AM
The wire I indicate being in- plugged from switch is bc fan would not turn on and I unplugged and connected to battery to turn on fans and cool down.

Is that switch suppose to turn fans on once certain temp is reached?
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: z28z11 on September 30, 2013, 02:18:01 AM
The wire I indicate being in- plugged from switch is bc fan would not turn on and I unplugged and connected to battery to turn on fans and cool down.

Is that switch suppose to turn fans on once certain temp is reached?

Is the wire you show as "ground" actually attached as a ground, or does it terminate at a thermostatic switch ? Got to be a signal from a thermo source there somewhere to tell the relay to complete the circuit -

Regards,
Steve
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 02:32:25 AM
I'll check in the morning and get a picture.
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 02:54:55 AM
But does this part start radiator fan when temp gets to a certain point? I'm trying to figure out why the fans are not kicking on.
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: cook_dw on September 30, 2013, 12:00:07 PM
You need to locate which wire is going to which terminal on the relay on the one side and where that wire goes on the other end. 
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: 69Z28-RS on September 30, 2013, 03:31:31 PM
But does this part start radiator fan when temp gets to a certain point? I'm trying to figure out why the fans are not kicking on.

I assume you realize that is NOT a factory part?   that is an aftermarket part which goes with most of those other aftermarket parts shown in your photo.  Early Camaros use fans driven by the motor, NOT electric fans.  Did you drive the car in the Texas heat before you bought it?  Did it overheat then?
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: JohnZ on September 30, 2013, 04:06:39 PM
That's a 2-core aftermarket radiator with no shroud and no engine-driven fan, and one small electric fan; it's no wonder it overheats. When they transplanted the big-block, they didn't bother to upgrade the cooling system to match. Factory-built big-blocks (396) used a thicker 3-core radiator, full shroud, fan clutch, and special fan; set it up with the correct factory parts and it won't overheat.
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on September 30, 2013, 08:51:58 PM
Was just told its a 3 row radiator and it has two electric fans.  I put a new fan control kit on there and set it at 170. Definitely cools better but when idling for 10 min it creeps up to  220.  I know it's not meant to idle that long but  IMO it shouldn't get that hot.
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Sauron327 on September 30, 2013, 11:41:22 PM
Ditch that inefficient setup and go back to the factory cooling system. Aftermarket systems are only efficient if they are set up flawlessly. Yours is not. I see the size matters emblem. So does proper engineering.
Title: Re: Radiator upgrade
Post by: Jbyer8 on October 01, 2013, 01:51:44 AM
Touché. Any place in particular y'all recommend for purchasing these items?