My pre-superbowl party was changing a waterpump, thermostat and IAC valve. I got the waterpump back on, filled, started the car up...I let it idle in place, the temp slowly crept up to about "210*" (or halfway on the gauge). I bled the air out of the system.

I left it alone to idle for about 20 minutes, the temp never passed 210. I drove home (hour and a half on the highway....never went below 200-ish, never above 215.

I used a 185* thermostat (although someone said it might actually be 195*)

Before I changed the waterpump and thermostat, the temprature would stay right around 180, but it would take a long time to get there...like 20 minutes of highway driving. It would eventually creep up to 210 after driving on the highway for a half hour then sitting in traffic for 15 minutes. I don't know if the thermostat that was in there was a 160 (car is new to me) or if it was just stuck open.

So, given the "stock" nature of my setup, does this sound normal?

Thanks....

 

My car does the exact same thing! What's the deal?

 

These cars and their whacky reverse cooling. I know you should find the problem and correct, but how about a fan switch to keep it cool. You can put one in for under ten bucks. all you need is a switch and some wire.

 

What year is your car? If its 93-95, it *had* a 160 thermo....but when they switched to OBDII in 1996, the 1996-1997 f-bodies had a 180 thermo.

 

I actually figured it out...the thermo that was in there was a 160* one, I replaced it with an OEM one, which I *THINK* was 185*-ish.