shaqdaddy

I just got an 1996 z28 lt1 6 speed,but on way home it was starting to run hot so when i got home i replaced TT.So i refilled with fluids and it still overheats,here is my question if it was a headgasket would i still have full power.it runs fine no smoke just fluids will start pouring out of cooling resv.i seen the maintance records in the glove box it just had a new water pump put on i feb 04 only 4k miles ago.

teke184

99.9% sure it is a bad radiator cap...had it happen to me

the cap doesn't hold the required 18#s of pressure the system needs, allows hot coolant into the resevoir...and it overflows.

get a new cap, fill the radiator, then bleed the air out of the system. do a search for how to do that.

93transam1234

when u say it was running hot when you where driving home, at what temp was it? did you drive it while the temp gauge was in the red?

also make sure you bleed the cooling system after installing the new TT. (search for how to bleed colling system)

DId you replace the TT with a stock one? if you tried to get the 160 Deg one at a local parts stor you might have got the wrong one.

Bad news, my car started doing the same thing and it eneded up being a small leak in the head gasket. I was getting air in the colling system causeing and air pocket that would get to where the WP was and stop the flow of the water.

Oh also make sure you have about 50% coolant and 50% water.

BUBBA

Don't know nothin'bout no t stats, but does it make any difference that the Lt1 has reverse cooling and may need the "correct" stat? Just askin'

Dave Feerst

Usually there is smoke with a head gasket. could be pressure cap or just a clogged up radiator. I doubt its the pump. Yes LT-1s have special thermostats and most parts store idiots will tell you a 350 thermosat will work and sell you one. It wont, If you paid less than 10$ for the T-stat its is most likely the wrong one. I have always used 160 degree stats from summit. about 14$ If it only overheated when you were at lights and such it could be a fan issue.

shaqdaddy

it never got in the red,but pretty close.and yes i got tt from az it was like $7.99.

jim88iroc305

do a flush and fill and install a new GM/Stant radiator cap and thermostat correct for the car.

bleed the system and take the time it needs, these systems seem to take forever to bleed.

do yourself a favor before you wind up with head gasket issues from heat and worse head issues.

good luck cooling it down

EDIT use the DexCool 50/50 mix and additive tablet when filling to see how it cools when under spec. then you're on your own.

shaqdaddy

i bought it from a exotic car lot so they said to bring it in and they will fix everything wrong with it.

it's a 1996 z28 lt1 6 speed,flowmasters,and k&n filter.it moves pretty good i was messing around with my brother he has a 2004 mustang mach 1 with flowmasters,cold air intake,k&n filter and he was impressed with the z28.