My 82 Camaro is having some problems cooling. I have a small block 400 bored .30 over. I have the stock radiator in it but just ordered a new all aluminum 2 row with 1in tubes. I'm going to run peek coolant with waterwetter in it. Currently I have a 160 degree thermostat and was going to go ahead and change it to a 180 degree and wanted to know which to run. High flow race or failsafe? Also picked up a new aluminum weiand short water pump to install today. Trying to get the car to run cool as possible as I will be going to Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, TN next month so I will be sitting in a lot of traffic. Currently the car only runs warm in traffic or going up the mountain. Wants to go around 210 degrees. Thanks, Josh

 

what sort of fan are you running, do you have a shroud and air dam? thats not a bad temp, my setup runs hot even with a griffin 3" radiator

 

I'm currently running a clutch fan, and yes I have a fan shroud and air dam. I just know 400 sbc are bad about running hot, so I would like to keep the temp under 200 while sitting in traffic for a long period of time.

 

then you are going to need to move to an electric fan setup and a thermostaticly controlled switch such as hayden. Don't go cheap on the double or single fan

 

does the car have a/c? if not, you can mount a pusher fan in front of the rad and just have it switched for on/off to have full control of the temps

 

The 400 SBC engine, because of the siamesed cylinder, needs steam passages in the heads for proper cooling. If the engine is assembled with the wrong type gaskets or the heads do not have the steam vents, the block won't be able to cool properly and overheat.

 

I have a/c but its currently not hooked up. I was going to do as you said and mount a electric fan in front to push.

 

I know the motor was rebuild about 5,000 miles ago but I have no clue about the head work. I know they were redone but thats about it. I mean I run around town all day at 170 degree, in traffic its around 190, and on the mountain it wants to go around 210.

 

You can pull off the valve covers and look up the casting numbers. If they check out to be 400 heads, you can rest easy on the head steam holes deal at least.

 

I know for a fact they are stock 400 heads so that does rule that problem out. Thanks Josh