O.K. This will probably seem like a stupid question but of course the only really stupid ones are the questions you don't ask...

I just bought a '90 Camaro RS Convertable. This is my first Camaro. Most of my driving since buying this car has been on the open road and the temp stays around 160. The other day I drove in an area where I had to drive slow followed by a period when I had to stop and idle. My Temp gauge was easing on toward 220 and I was starting to worry. I quickly found a place to cool the car off and after getting it back down to below 200 I got back on the open road where it again resumed it's steady 160 degrees.

Since that time I have heard that the fan does not kick on until about 220 degrees? Is this True?

I plan to replace the 160 degree thermostat that came in the car with the normal 180 degree stat.

Thanks for your help!

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Speedgraphic

Is the fan electric? or a clutch fan? Replacing the 160 with a 180 would make it run hotter, since the coolant wont be circulating until it hits 180.
If the fan is electric and not turning on til 220, there's a problem.
If its a clutch fan, and not turning, or turning real slow then you need to replace the clutch on it.

Your best bet, is to replace the stock thermostat with a Mr. Gasket one, the aftermarket ones are more accurate, and open at a temp closer to where they're rated.

If the fan is coming on at 220, that means it's working perfectly. Because that's when it's supposed to come on in that car. If your temp goes above 220, then I'd be worried.

It stays 160 driving down the road because the air moving through the radiator keeps the temp down.

I would put a 180* stat in it. Stock I believe is 200* or 210*. I don't remember exactly. I just remember my buddies '91 RS always running warm, and when we looked it up, everything turned out to be normal.

Late model emmissions controlled vehicles run alot hotter than older car do, mainly because it is easier to control emmisions for some reason that way.

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79' Z28 4-spd- built 355, TRW 10:1 forged flat tops, WP SportsmanII heads, Crane Energizer 228* duration .480" lift, Edelbrock Victor Jr., Holley 750cfm, Dynomax headers, dual 3" flowmasters :) 3.73 Posi 10-bolt

I agree with above.The fans won't turn on til 220 so don't worry.The thermostat is usually in the 195 degree range.Running your engine at 160 might make more power according to some 'performance experts' but it sure ain't good for your engine in the long run.You get alot of 'fuel wash'which cleans the oil away from your cylinders and causes wear.Today's cars run hotter than yesterday's and they go 100,000 miles before their first tuneup.I think the factory knows what it's doing.

I have heard that most smog and computer controls require a 190* thermostat.

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69 Camaro Z28 "clone" - 327 AT
"461" camel back heads,
edelbrock, hooker, ultradyne,
TRW etc.
700R4 TPI transmission

i thought he said he had a 160 in there, must have read wrong, the 180 should bring the temp down a few degrees if there's a 190 in there now, (which probably doesnt open til 200)
I forget that 90's engines are made to run hotter for emissions purposes.
160's too cold for my liking, around 180 should be good.

He does have a 160. I'd reccomend switching up to a 180.

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79' Z28 4-spd- built 355, TRW 10:1 forged flat tops, WP SportsmanII heads, Crane Energizer 228* duration .480" lift, Edelbrock Victor Jr., Holley 750cfm, Dynomax headers, dual 3" flowmasters :) 3.73 Posi 10-bolt

Put 180* in it. A small block chevy on average makes the best power when water temp is between 190-200 degrees.

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Jay
69 SS-350 4-speed
Hotchkis suspension

An engine will make its best power with it's water cold and the oil hot, as stated by Smokey Yunik and David Vizard (as well as my own dyno tests).

I dynoed an engine with the water at 90 degrees (free flow water), and it made even more power. Wouldn't be very good for a street vehicle however, or if the intake manifold design required it to be warm to vaporize the fuel.



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1969 Base Camaro
Vortec 355, Perf. RPM, Demon Carb., TH-400
All sheetmetal is NOS GM
See my NEW webpage at: http://www.geocities.com/compuboy007/

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the help. I was worried that the fan was not working properly and of course did not want to do damage... This is the first vehicle I have owned that did not have the fan firmly attached to the waterpump.

I have since confirmed that the fan is working properly and all is right with the world. I will put in the 180 degree stat before I do any serious driving.

At the moment the car is in the upholstery shop getting a new interior and top. After that we get a new paint job. About a month from now I might get to drive my car... Dang I miss her...

195* thermosat is stock in that car. 220 is not at all out of the norm. Good advice has been given here. If you are going to switch anything, I would suggest "maybe" switching to a lower fan control thermostat, so the fan will come on earlier. I don't think it is really needed, but with a 195* thermostat and a fan control thermostat @ around 200 you should be able to lower the engine temp. 20* in traffic situations. Good Luck

Royce

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70 Camaro 385ci
69 Camaro (soon to be 6" rod 355 backed by a T56)
2000 GMC Z71

http://hobbystage.net/camaro/camaroman7d/