Crazy overheating problem

my93gtdroptop

New Member
Jun 26, 2004
8
0
0
I hope some of you cooling experts can help me. I have fought with overheating problems on my 93 GT convertible for as long as I an remember. I did a bunch of work to it recently, and really tried to address the overheating. It has a beefed up custom AOD with a precision industries 2800 stall converter. I added two trans coolers. I also added an engine oil cooler. I installed a Meziere 55 GPM electric water pump. I added 4 electric fans that cover the entire radiator. Together they pull around 5000 cfm. I wrapped the headers in thermotec header wrap. I installed a new front fascia with more airflow through it. 6 or 7 years ago I put in an aluminum radiator (can't remember the specs on it). I figured it should be ok, so I left it. During all this I also upgraded to a vortech T-trim, put in a professional products upper and lower intake, and a new fuel system.

I took it out yesterday for the first time and within 5-10 minutes it was at 260 degrees (on the factory gauge). I know I need an aftermarket gauge, but it was really hot. Waves of I heat were coming through the firewall and over the top of the car. It was 107 degrees outside and the air off the engine was still cooking me. I am really frustrated. I am now thinking the radiator since I have nothing else to replace. But, the kicker is that I can turn on the electric water pump and 4 fans with the car off, and it will cool the engine down 100 degrees in less than 5 minutes. So, it seems like the cooling system can work. The A/C condenser is pretty banged up, and the A/C system is a whole issue to itself, so I thought that may be restricting the air to the radiator. But, like I said, when the engine is off it will really cool the car. Also, the car has a 160 degree thermostat, and I can let it idle in the 107 degree heat, and it won't get above around 160. But then I start driving it and watch the gauge just climb to the top.

I have spent so much money and energy on the car, and now I am out of both. I really love the car, and want to be able to drive her. Is it the radiator? Any ideas are welcomed. I hope you guys can help me out.
 
Hey Black Sun. The car seems to be fine, and run cool while idling. As soon as I start drving it, it heats up. I am not familiar with the radiator air dam. What is that? I will work on getting an aftermarket gauge when I get some cash. It is not boiling over. I try to shut it down before that happens. I don't want to hurt my engine. It does seem to vapor lock when it gets to the top of the stock gauge. Thanks for the help!
 
The air dam is the black plastic strip mounted right beneath the radiator that forces air up through the radiator while you're cruising. I didn't have the air dam and had issues. I have an SN/95 electric fan installed with a DCC managing its power. Even with this setup, the fan would run while cruising on the highway and I would get inconsistent to high temps (even with a Fluidyne aluminum radiator). I installed the air dam that I got from 50resto.com for about $30, I haven't had a cooling problem since.
 
meze1111 said:
I think you might have a small leak in your head gasket. maybe its overheating from building up pressure. Check your oil for coolant. How many miles on the car?

Good point, a blown head gasket, or cracked block/head will make an engine heat up real hot, real quick. Cylinder pressures are higher when the vehicle is under load. Use a hydrocarbon detector (block test kit) to see if there is any exaust in the cooling system.

If your feeling that much heat comming off the radiator, then the cooliing system is working, but could be overloaded by other issues. What was the temps comming out of the water outlet? The factory gauge sucks.
 
Are you sure your elec water pump is coming on?

It was 107 here yesterday also (Tucson) so I feel your pain. 30 straight days of triple digit heat so far. :bang:

Good luck.
 
Great replys. Thanks everyone. I will get an autometer gauge. Black Sun: my radiator air damn is there, but really mangled from speed bumps. I will replace it. I will check for air in the system as well. I am worried about a head gasket or cracked block/head. It has 97,000 miles on it. It has been supercharged for about 50,000 of those miles. The electric water pump does come on. It doesn't have the flow that I expected from a 55 gpm unit, but thought maybe the radiator was choking it, or there was air.

Thanks for all the help. Any more ideas will be appreciated. I will check into everything mentioned here.
 
Also, does anyone else out there have a Meziere 55 gpm electric water pump? Mine seems to have a electric buzz when the thermostat closes, that sounds bad. Anyone else heard that? When I pull the radiator cap off and turn on the pump all I can see is a whirlpool sucking down. (It has an automatic trans cooler). It doesn't seem that strong, especially for a 55 gpm unit. I am worried that my nice, new electric water pump isn't working how it is supposed to.