Thermostat procedure help

[Isaiah92260]

My truck gets hot sitting at stop lights, reaches 200 if it's a long light, but easily drops to 170 because of my 2 row aluminum radiTor once I start driving, anyways I need to replace my thermostat ASAP, I'm gonna go to NAPA today on my lunch break to purchase the TStat and gasket, but does anyone recommend the stock basic once from the cheap auto stores? Or I should buy those high quality ones from online? I saw that Summit Racing have a good TStat with a valve that lets in a little coolant before actually opening up, but my issue was that I could find the right gasket online cuz Stanf makes a cheap paper thin gasket and the FelPro one didn't look like it was the right size. I know I ask lot of question and may even over think, but I'm learning Chevy's as I go and since it's my daily driver, I'd prefer to go with the right parts since there are a lot of options out there these days.

[siggyfreud]

What makes you think replacing the thermostat is going to solve the issue? Sounds like the issue is that you don't have enough airflow from your fan at idle. A new thermostat isn't going to fix that. Once it's past it's opening temp it'll stay open and your truck will still get to 200 degrees.

[blown240]

I have a 160 t stat in my truck and at lights it does the same thing. Im not sure your t-stat is the issue, but to answer your question. I have used the cheap ones with no problem. You can always test it before you install it, but putting it in a pan of water on the stove and watch till it opens up.

Do you have a shroud on your radiator?

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by siggyfreud

What makes you think replacing the thermostat is going to solve the issue? Sounds like the issue is that you don't have enough airflow from your fan at idle. A new thermostat isn't going to fix that. Once it's past it's opening temp it'll stay open and your truck will still get to 200 degrees.

From what I've been told it is not my fan because it's sits one and a half inches from the radiator and it's a six blade fan, also I have my idle speed set at 650 which I've also been told that it's perfect for my three speed manual trans straight six motor, lastly I have a 14lb-16lb pressure radiator cap, you may be right but as of what I know from previous help that my set up is good and it's all I need to do is change the thermostat because I have a 200,000+ mile motor and most likely I have A very old thermostat. Also I've been told I should get a Overflo tank. But starting off with the TStat should assist with the cooling first. My timing is also set at 12 BTDC which it perfect for a aging I6 250, I didn't believe it at first but it works way better than before.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by blown240

I have a 160 t stat in my truck and at lights it does the same thing. Im not sure your t-stat is the issue, but to answer your question. I have used the cheap ones with no problem. You can always test it before you install it, but putting it in a pan of water on the stove and watch till it opens up.

Do you have a shroud on your radiator?

I e been told 160 isn't good enough because that's not letting enough time for your coolant to sit long enough in your radiator before it starts flowing. No I don't because I e been told by many others with more experience than me, that I don't need a fan aground because I have a aluminum radiator, And as long as I have it sitting close enough to the fan, then I am okay. Also the radiator is too tall to sit on the OG radiator position, so mine sits on the lower support rail on the frame, which makes it sit that much closer to the fan anyways. I am always open to listen to others advice and experiences, I am hungry to learn.

[blown240]

If it was me, I would do one of the following, if not all:

1. Space your fan closer to the radiator. 1-1/2 inches sounds close, but 1/4 to 1/2 is better.
2. Put an electric fan on the front with a temp switch to help when your sitting still
3. Get a shroud. Even if you don't really need it, it can't hurt. Even it you have to get make one your self from one of those Ebay universal kits....

Its hotter than crap where you live, so overkill is good.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by blown240

If it was me, I would do one of the following, if not all:

1. Space your fan closer to the radiator. 1-1/2 inches sounds close, but 1/4 to 1/2 is better.
2. Put an electric fan on the front with a temp switch to help when your sitting still
3. Get a shroud. Even if you don't really need it, it can't hurt. Even it you have to get make one your self from one of those Ebay universal kits....

Its hotter than crap where you live, so overkill is good.

If I put a fan on the outside wouldn't it be pulling hot air from the motor in, unless some how I make the fan rotate counter clock wise or vise versa? I e heard something like that before from an old man back from where I am from...

[blown240]

When you put a fan on the front of a radiator, you flip the blade over so that it becomes a pusher fan.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by blown240

When you put a fan on the front of a radiator, you flip the blade over so that it becomes a pusher fan.

Would t the motor be in the way?

[Isaiah92260]

Fan motor*

[Isaiah92260]

Or do you mean dissemble it and literally flip the fan, and the re assemble it?

[blown240]

There is a clip that holds the fan blade to the fan assembly. You just flip the blade.


If you had it in your hand, it's pretty straight forward.

[blown240]

Just make sure that if you do a pusher electric fan that you put it on some sort of a switch. You don't want it on when your on the freeway. The airflow from driving will be more than the fan puts out, so you just want it to be able to spin with airflow thru the grille.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by blown240

Just make sure that if you do a pusher electric fan that you put it on some sort of a switch. You don't want it on when your on the freeway. The airflow from driving will be more than the fan puts out, so you just want it to be able to spin with airflow thru the grille.

So get a switch that would turn it on and off at around 190 or something?

[geezer#99]

Or just get (or make) and install a fan shroud!!

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Or just get (or make) and install a fan shroud!!

How do I measure what size I need? I have those taller style aluminum radiators by champion, I had to set it down on the lower rail so it say closer to the fan,

[rcnutt]

I would'nt even start to worry untill it hit 220-230(and kept going). 220 is a good running temp for sbc(or I6)

[TJ's Chevy]

In 100 degree weather my 292 would get warm idling. But it never overboiled. If it get's to 200 degrees you should be ok long as the water keeps flowing. From the factory they came with a 180 Tstat I believe.

[cru_zn_29]

Chevrolet put fan shrouds on these old trucks for a reason. They still need them Palm Desert temps are running 108- 114 these days. Your truck needs a shroud so it can pull air from your complete radiator core not just the area the size of your fan.IMO

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by cru_zn_29

Chevrolet put fan shrouds on these old trucks for a reason. They still need them Palm Desert temps are running 108- 114 these days. Your truck needs a shroud so it can pull air from your complete radiator core not just the area the size of your fan.IMO

I appreciate your reply, I'd like to consider what your saying considering that you know the climate just as well as I do, where do you recommend me to find a fan shroud for my truck considering the fact that I have a aluminum radiator that sits closer to the fan, I saw that on EBay that they're are many sizes, I'm not sure what I should go by for my truck.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by rcnutt

I would'nt even start to worry untill it hit 220-230(and kept going). 220 is a good running temp for sbc(or I6)

Maybe I should worry as much as I do then?

[cru_zn_29]

Take some measurements of your radiator and fan blade you are using. Go to pick a part and and see what you can come up with.

[Pappyx3!]

Do some searching on here for fan/shrouds. Seen a few threads where guys were using electric fan and shroud off a Lincoln but I don't remember the exact vehicle application.

[WOLFMANmike]

Originally Posted by Pappyx3!

Do some searching on here for fan/shrouds. Seen a few threads where guys were using electric fan and shroud off a Lincoln but I don't remember the exact vehicle application.

champion makes the fan shroud for your radiator you can get it at http://www.championradiators.com/sto...hkUaAmIM8P8HAQ

[63burban]

I flushed the coolant system on my truck, then installed a good 180 degree thermostat and made a shroud out of two chrome half shrouds. The truck will run at 180 all day long no matter how hot it is in heavy traffic or cruising the fair grounds for an hour. I also have a 5 blade clutch fan.