so i have a 97 camaro ss(lt1) and i replaced the t-stat with a 180 fill radiator with coolant then fired the car up the car was cold and the temp started to rise pretty quick so it got to 240 and i shut it off right away my question is am i doing something wrong if so what?(sorry im new to cars)

 

you need to bleed the coolant system, You will see 2 bleeder screws on the hoses next to the throttle body. Just open the bleeders until coolant squirts out then close them.

 

alos i forgot to mention the low coolant light came on but its not low at all

 

Could just be your colant level sensor crapping out, try bleeding them tho and see what happens

 

yeah ill keep u guys posted tommorow

 

You know the LT1 got a 180 STOCK and that it takes a special thermostat though a regular old gen 1 one fits?

 

does the car have to be running hot when i bleed the system of can it be cold?

 

you want the car started and running. then open those two bleed screws and you wait for the bubbles to stop and some fluid to flow out before closing them. also have your cap off the radiator bc when the motor warms up the tstat will open and your radiator level will drop. you just keep adding coolant until the level stops dropping when your tstat opens.i think you wait to bleed it until you have topped it off.its a good idea to take a couple rags or cloths & get them situated under the bleed screws so when coolant comes out you dont get the opti wet.

 

Another thing you can do to help pull out some of the air bubbles after getting the air out of the bleeders is have a friend rev the car and hold it at 2500 RPM. Top off the radiator again (higher RPM pulls more in) and put on the cap before he lets off

 

make sure you have the correct style t-stat in there. then bleed the system.

 

how will i now if its the correct one?

 

well i did all the manual said to do and i drove the car today and i think everything is working fine thanks for all the help guys