C-4 Corvette Specialist Needed

[JarheadE5]

I bought an old '89 'Vette that runs hot in traffic, apparently a common issue with this car.

Would like to hire an experienced mechanic in the NW GA region (Dalton/Ringgold/Chickamauga/Rossville) who's familiar with this series Corvette to fix it. Also needs other minor repairs and maintenance. I'd do it myself, but my old frame isn't up to the task. Like the old saying goes: "The mind is willing, but the body ain't".

Please PM with info if you have any.

Thanks in advance,

and

Semper Fi!

 

[streetroc]

Not necessarily a C4 expert but I have had quite a few third generation F-bodies (82-92 Camaro/Firebird) that use the same engine. The L98 350 TPI is a solid motor and overheating is usually due to the design of the car that it's in. Does your car have dual fans or a single fan? Is it an automatic or a manual?

You can fix whatever is wrong but upgrading to an aluminum radiator and installing a 160-180* thermostat would make a huge difference. An aftermarket fan switch that turns the fans on earlier is a good idea too. A throttle body coolant bypass is also a very cheap upgrade on the TPI engines. Won't fix overheating but it will add a couple of HP for the cost of a piece of hose.

Unrelated to cooling but fine tuning your throttle position sensor with a volt meter can make a noticable difference in driveability too. TPI engines just don't like to rev above 4500rpm so making the most of that low end powerband is key

 

[JarheadE5]

Thanks for the reply, streetroc,

Has dual fans (heavy duty cooling package). One is located in front, on the condenser, and one mounted on the radiator, next to the engine, seen when you open the hood. Transmission is automatic. Car only has 43K miles.
I'd be interested in having a new 2-row aluminum radiator installed, as well as a lower temperature switch that activates the main fan. The previous owner told me it already has the 160 deg. t-stat installed. At 55-60 mph coolant temp stays around 168-170 deg. on a cool day. Have yet to do any hot weather driving.
I have not heard the fans come on, even after witnessing the coolant temp go over 230 degrees while putting through Battlefield Park at 15-25mph. The aux fan also does not activate when turning on A/C. Prev owner says a low freon charge could be the problem, apparently the A/C system has a pressure switch that activates the aux cooling fan, and if the freon charge is low, won't activate the fan. When I first got the car I tried the A/C and noticed the compressor cycled briefly, then stopped, probably due to a low charge. System has not been converted, still has R-12(luckily I have a can to charge the system with).

 

[streetroc]

Thanks for the reply, streetroc,

Has dual fans (heavy duty cooling package). One is located in front, on the condenser, and one mounted on the radiator, next to the engine, seen when you open the hood. Transmission is automatic. Car only has 43K miles.
I'd be interested in having a new 2-row aluminum radiator installed, as well as a lower temperature switch that activates the main fan. The previous owner told me it already has the 160 deg. t-stat installed. At 55-60 mph coolant temp stays around 168-170 deg. on a cool day. Have yet to do any hot weather driving.
I have not heard the fans come on, even after witnessing the coolant temp go over 230 degrees while putting through Battlefield Park at 15-25mph. The aux fan also does not activate when turning on A/C. Prev owner says a low freon charge could be the problem, apparently the A/C system has a pressure switch that activates the aux cooling fan, and if the freon charge is low, won't activate the fan. When I first got the car I tried the A/C and noticed the compressor cycled briefly, then stopped, probably due to a low charge. System has not been converted, still has R-12(luckily I have a can to charge the system with).

Sounds like your fan temp switch needs to be replaced. If I remember correctly it should turn on both fans. Main fan at one temp, second condenser fan at a slightly higher temp. Auto trans cars also tend to run hotter since the radiator is also a transmission fluid cooler. An aftermarket aluminum radiator is still well worth the few hundred bucks that they cost.

Sounds like your a/c system is low on freon but that's a different issue. I'd get it checked for leaks before recharging it. R12 isn't easy to get but man that's some cold ac. It should be shooting icicles out of the vents as soon as you turn it on.