Cars getting hot

[YellowGT5.0]

I know its summer, and yes the engine is going to get hot but what temp should it be at? I dont know if its normal but yesterday I was driving it at the hottest part of the day and it was reading 240 and then i turned the car off then turned it back on and it did not start i had to give it gas for it to start, and when i went to rev it a bit it sounded horrible like it had nothing in it. If i changed my stat to a 180 instead of the original 192 would i need to tune it or can i just swap them out. What else could the problem be? The motor only has around 1200 miles on it.

[BurnTire]

240 is too high. Stuck thermostat would be a place to start.

[YellowGT5.0]

240 is too high. Stuck thermostat would be a place to start.


I know the thermostat is ok, i was just wandering if i need to get a colder one like 180? It gets hot mostly when its stop and go traffic, when im just crusing its normally 225 on a hot day like today.

[gjmack3]

Is the radiator the original? What about the water pump? There is a good chance that the radiator is starting to plug up. Especially if tap water is used to fill it. You might try a flush and fill of the radiator. Change the thermostat to a 180. You don't need to reflash the car when you change the thermostat.

[chewbaccajones]

My 5.0 used to run hot and the AC did not work so well after I put on underdrive pullies.

[Blackmagic1]

Also check your fan if/when its turning on.

[Jacostang]

In my 5.0's I run a 160 thermostat because once they get over 200 it's hard to cool them down in the summer at all. Now mine are original motors with high miles and you could also use water wetter it cools about 15-20 cooler that standard stuff and what the guys said above about your fan, make sure its pulling the air through!!

[maddme]

My 5.0 that I used to have and love used to also get hot in the summer time. I put a 180 thermastat in and that was better but what seemed to work on my cars was a 4 core radiator and a flush at the start of the summer. But I never seemed to get the car perfect especially with the AC on.:pinkthumb:

[YellowGT5.0]

Thanks for the help guys, yeah i still do have the original radiator in. I will see what i can do about getting a new radiator but ill start with the 180 thermostat. Than maybe do the water wetter and see what happens.

[4Jenna]

Get a radiator!

[YellowGT5.0]

would i be ok with just getting a stock replacement radiator?

[fazm]

electric fan or fan clutch? either way make sure its functioning properly.

[4Jenna]

Get a Fluidyne, and yes make sure your fan is coming on high

[Quick '97 GT]

Since your car did not start then ran poorly after it was hot, I would check the timing too. It may be a few degrees too advanced. My old 5.0 would get too hot, not want to stop when I turned the ignition off, then not want to start when hot....if the timing was 2 degrees too advanced.