Overheating 383 LT1

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Oct 11, 2004 | 04:48 PM

viper1

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Overheating 383 LT1

I have a 96' Formula with a 383 stroker that is not tuned. I ran it pretty hard for about a year and a half then it started overheating. It overheats after it has been running about 10 minutes (idling). I have changed the water pump, put two different thermostats in, shot the radiator with a thermal gun, and bypassed the heater core but the problem still exists. I'm wondering if I have blown a head gasket because of not having a tune and running lean. Any thoughts would be appreciated as I don't have the cash to have someone else check it out. Thanks in advance.

Oct 11, 2004 | 08:04 PM

NXSLT1

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From: Clarksville,Tn

Is it losing water? If the head gasket is blown bad it would be smoking like a freight train. It can also hydraulic the cylinder if water gets in there and that aint good. Does it only overheat when idling or while driving down the road too? Check the fans and make sure they are coming on. When the fan motors get some age on them they tend to blow fuses because the bearings in them start to drag and pull too much current.

Oct 11, 2004 | 09:41 PM

viper1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by speedluv

I fill it up with water and run it for about 10 minutes (driving or idling) and it eventually overheats. Water starts spewing out the overflow container. First the water level rises in the overflow then starts gurgling and spewing. I turn the ac on to make the fans come on manually but it still overheats. There is also a weird gurgling sound that sounds like it's coming from under the dash. (when you're in the car) I tried to find one of those testers that you put on the radiator fill neck to check for hydrocarbons but couldn't locate one.

*Also, the engine seems to run perfect until it overheats.

Oct 11, 2004 | 09:53 PM

NXSLT1

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From: Clarksville,Tn

Well the gurgling under the dash I would think would be from the heater core. These cars have bleeder valves on the cooling system, one on the heater hose and the other I think is up around the throttle body. I had a problem with no heat one winter because I forgot to bleed the air out of the system. It could be causing an air pocket in the system if you didn't bleed it and that will cause it to overheat. Did it just start doing it all the sudden?? Are you positive the fans are coming on? Feel in front of them and make sure they are blowing air.

Oct 11, 2004 | 10:09 PM

viper1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by speedluv

I tried to make sure the system was bled well. I filled it up, opened the bleeder valve and let it run until there was water flowing. Is there something else I should be doing to insure the air is out? As for the fans, they are definitely coming on. I can hear and feel them. I'm really perplexed and frustrated cause I have checked the car over so many times. I wish I had the money to just take it to a shop, but I have an 00' Formula I'm making payments on now.

Oct 11, 2004 | 10:17 PM

NXSLT1

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From: Clarksville,Tn

I know I had to bleed mine for like 2 hours before I got all the air out. Insane I know but I would get water for a while then air then water, took a while to bleed mine but mine wasn't running hot, I just didnt have any heat. Did you check in front of the radiator for trash? Could be stopped up not letting air flow thru it, like if you ran over a plastic bag or piece of paper on the road and it hot sucked up in front of the radiator, or just dirt and leaves. Check the radiator itself, it might be stopped up internally. Running lean will make it run hot but if it's been doing fine for a year and a half then I doubt that's what it is. Are yer radiator hoses collapsing??

Oct 11, 2004 | 10:28 PM

viper1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by speedluv

I haven't really checked for trash in front of the radiator, and the hoses don't appear to be collapsing. I'll check for trash/leaves and try bleeding the hell out of it. I need to get the thing up and running 'cause I have to sell one of the cars. (can't afford to maintain/mod both) Thanks for the input, and nice car by the way.