seems like a headgasket but car is fine driving until its stopped idleing. Car will overheat when idleing. local shop said either a cracked head or head gasket but I cant understand how it could be when the car drives fine until I stop at a light, then the temp rises. when the heat is on it keeps it from getting hotter too. fans come on. I also get a low coolant light too when it starts to heat up. and lifter tap is heard from startup? anyone have any opinions?

 

I'm going through the same thing, except I didn't have lifter noise. My car is in the shop right now - supposedly it's a bad head gasket, identified by a coolant test - but I'll know for certain by Tuesday. Just like you, the car was still running great, except for the overheating problem.

 

I know it seems simple but make sure your fans are coming on. Otherwise a head gasket isn't too complicated. good luck

 

need more details how hot is it getting at idle? when does the low colant light come on? does it do ok at cruising speeds? have you recently opened the cooling system up and forgot to bleed out the air? Keep in mind LT1's are usually in the 230's before fans kick on at idle unless the a/c is switched on, but at cruise will usually stay below 195.

 

at idle it will eventually red line after 15-20 minutes, the coolant light comes on when it starts getting past 180, at cruising its fine, maybe how do i bleed it?