79 camaro runs hot?

Question

my 79 camaro runs hot. the kid i got it from, bought it to fix up and never did.i have had it a few weeks no probs from it.i drove it the other day and the gauge shows 240. usually it registers 190-200. what could be the problem? could it be the thermostat? not sure, any help would be greatly appreciated.the motor does not appear to be stock as it seems like it has a mild cam in it. he did tell me it was a 350 with a 4bbl carb.

also, yes the weather did get warmer. that is when all this started.

Answer 1

Yes, first make sure your coolant level is full and the water pump works, you can start the car with the radiator cap off, when the car warm up you should see the coolant flowing through the radiator. If it does flow and the car still overheats then the thermostat is stuck closed. You might just want to change the thermostat anyway since it is only $5.

Answer 2

It's probably the thermostat. Get one of the fail-safe kind (gets stuck open instead of closed). It's a few extra bucks, but they work great and will protect your car.

Nomadd,
Thermostats don't normally cause overheating when a car is driven regularly; however, when a car is not run for a while, some rust accumulates in the the water passages. The thermostat is a weak spot where rust can infest itself, clog, and lock the thermostat spring. On a 79 Camry, the thermostat housing is in clear view and requires the removal of only 2 bolts. This is a 1 minute check. I also recommend checking the coolant level first, as someone else here suggested. It might not be a closed system, i.e., evaporation occurs more easily. The guy says it is not a stock motor. Sometimes non-stock motors lack stock cooling systems.
Is there an overflow return line and reservoir? Is it properly sealed? Is your radiator cap good? These are other potential cheap-to-fix areas.

Answer 3

Switch on the heater to max. Should notice hot air. If not you may be low on coolant or the coolant is not circulating meaning a water pump problem.

1. Check the radiator for a shroud

2. Flush the system.

3. Have a look inside the radiator. If there appears to have white coral growing around the cooling tubes, then it's time for a new radiator.

4. Remove the thermostat & replace.

5. Check the condition of your belts

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Answer 4

If it's the original radiator it's way past it's normal lifespan, and probably half clogged. I'd spend $100 for a new one before I bothered with the other stuff. People love to say it's the thermostat because that's the only word they know. Thermostats almost never cause overheating.

Answer 5

You said you had the car for several weeks with no problem. Now it is running hot. Take a look at the coolant level and if that's fine, try replacing the thermostat. Next, the sending unit for the temp gauge.

Answer 6

It could be a number of things.

Thermostats generaly get stuck halfway open. If it seems to take longer to warm up than usual, that would be a good indication.

With the engine cold, remove the radiator cap and look to see if water flows thru the radiator core when it's cold, it's your thermostat.

Thermostats are cheap, and easy. Get a gasket too.

Answer 7

Has the weather warmed up alot since you bought it? I have an old mustang that did fine in cooler weather but overheated in the summer. Finally replaced the radiator with a bigger one. Cured it.

Answer 8

it could be the thermostat or maybe it needs flushed out.

Answer 9

i bet it has a flex fan and no shroud..it looks cool that way..

to run cool it needs the stock clutch fan and a shroud