I bought a 96 Z28 in Jan with a blown head gasket (coolant in the oil). In July I had my engine totally rebuilt for around 1500.00. I never knewthe operatiing temps for this car but it always sat pretty 3/4 of the way up. I added a 160 thermostat but that did really help. I flused the coolant (wasn't too bad) and i just installed a new radiator with my 180 degree thermostat. Now on the highway it sits around 180 and at idle its a tad above the middle. Is that normal for that much fluctuation? Is my problem solved or should i see a shop. How exactly do I know if there is air in my system?

 

that is normal, the lt1 runs between 200 and 230, mine is tuned for 180 and sets just above the first mark or about 180. it will go up a tad when its hot out. make sure your fans are coming on and if so you should be good to go.

 

Ok I drove the car all day today. It almost reached the 3/4 point today. There was a lot of idling in this Texas heat. My fan is wired to run the entire time for now. Should I look for a stronger fan? I have new water pump, radiator, coolant, hoses, radiator cap, etc. I sometimes wander if my heads are still the problem. Only by exhaust is not white, there is no mix of oil in the coolant vice versa and my overflow does not boil over. Still nervous. Any suggestions????

 

have you blead the air outa the cooling system? that has helped many people and many not. lol also it may be that the crossover pipe is plugged. (small pipe/tube running from the back of one head to the other)

 

you dont need another fan, bleed the coolant system, everytime you open it you gotta bleed it lts are really delicate on that part!!!

 

Hey guys thanks for your help. I drove at really high speeds and drove through the city and idled at several lights the temperature hand never barely touched the halfway mark. While driving it ran cooler. This is after I bled the cooling system. Thanks again.