I have a 1980 RS Camaro 350 automatic that has started running hot. The car has not been modified. I've replaced the thermo, water pump and now the radiator and the problem continues. A mechanic friend questioned weather the front spoiler had been removed as a possibility for the problem. The spoiler is in tact.
Please help.

 

what about the fan? thats the most important part of the cooling system (along with the waterpump). do you have a clutch fan? If so, its prolly worn out and not spinning at a high enough rpm to draw enough air through the rad.. you can get a new clutch from most auto parts for roughly $25 for the hipo one. thats what mine cost me for my old 81 firebird that orig. had a 305 chevy. If youve dont that and still have problems, then your block/heads must have some buildup or blockage in the coolant passages. youd need at the least a good power flush. firestone makes a good acid flush that will eat corrosion away but it requires a good 3-4 hours to do properly. you can get if from your local chevy/gmc dealership cause they use it on mid 90's jimmys and blazers to cure theyre corrosion problem. Im a tech. at a dealership, thats how I know. the good part about that is its only like $7.
good luck, chris


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1985 Iroc Z, (parting out, email for parts)

1986 Iroc Z
355, ported camel hump heads,750 holley, 700r4, 10.5 compr., forged flat tops, solidcam .501I .510E, 4gen rear w/3:73 posi, girdle, and disc's, Edel. torker II, shift kit, 3500 stal, hedmann LT. headers, 4 gen seats, man. strg., lt1 starter, alum. w/p, msd 6al, coil, dist., mallory wires. mid 13's for now. lots to play w/still

1995 z28,SS Hood, Iroc style spoiler, tints and black outs, 700r4,2400 act. stall speed,B&M hammer shifter, 17" budnick trilogy III wheels, 275/40 ZR17, 160 stat, man. cooling fan sw., homemaid CAI,1LE elbow, hypertech airfoil, t.b.bypass,!cat, flowmaster, !maf screen, relocated batt., 1LE front l.c.a.s', poly trans and torq.arm bushings, MSD 6AL, custom program, p&p maf, accel coil, and under drive pulley

mods that i have, just not on car yet:
msd wires, edelbrock mid. headers, edelbrock rpm catback

 

I have an '80 sport coupe with 355. Your RS would have the basic spoiler package which means there aren't any except for the rear trunk. My 80 came with a fan but not a clutch fan. One more thing is that it is important to keep the stock fan shroud in place. Also have you changed the timing? That can affect the heating of an engine. I totally agree with flushing the coolant. Check that your water pump isn't leaking too. New thermostat is a good idea and if you are running an auto put in a tranny cooler too. Red Line water wetter is a cheap additive that maybe helps. Don't forget some water pump lubricant while you are at it. Also, make sure your rad is clean from the outside too. Hope you solve it! Your RS must be modified as they only could be ordered with V-6, 267 or 305 V-8s. Did you upgrade the rad? Was it originally a V-8? Just wondering. V-6 rad might be smaller. I think there were 3 rad sizes for our gen Camaro in '80.