Gramma's Car: the new project!

[Xplantdad]

Great stuff Steve!

[njsteve]

I installed the ColdCase radiator today. An alltogether uneventful installation. :-)

I scrubbed the original shroud with soapy water, dried it, and then misted it with SEM Laundau Black vinyl paint and it looks just like new. The radiator went in fine. No issues at all other than the overflow nozzle points down at a 7:00 position when a 1973 and newer Firebird needs it at the 9:00 position for the overflow tube to route to the factory catch bottle properly. Not a big deal but I had to find a different section of hose as it was one size smaller nipple and the original hose was too big.

The car did run at around the same temperature as before - around 195 to 200 with a 160 thermostat. It was 80 degrees outside. I will replace the thermostat tomorrow after I test it in some hot water to see if it is actually opening at the correct temperature. I just tested two old 160 degree units on the stove in some hot water and they didn't open til at least 170 or more.

[njsteve]

I also got the warranty replacement Delco HEI wire set from rockauto. I ohm tested the old set and wire #3 was completely open. So it's been running on 7 cylinders. Runs even better on all 8 now with the new set (which I also ohm tested before installing).

[9999]

Could you tell me exactly what you used and how you did it for the radiator support? 2 stage or single?

It looks perfect, as far as shine/depth goes. I want to replicate it. Thank you very much.

[njsteve]

Actually. it was spray can, VHT Roll Bar and Chassis Satin Black epoxy paint. I got it at advanceautoparts.

[njsteve]

I swapped the thermostat and it runs at pretty much the same temperature - 190. I did test the thermostat on the stove with a thermometer and it does start to open around 160.

The funny thing is that the car runs cooler the faster you drive it! It pulls like a monster with those 3.08s from 35 to 100 mph. It pegs the factory 100 mph speedo in nothing flat...and the coolant temperature drops, the faster you go. At 100 mph the temp dropped to 170. (Allegedly, of course) ;-)

I think I need to swap out the 1975 100 mph speedometer for the rally gauge 160 speedometer. At least I wont worry about snapping the needle off.

[Xplantdad]

Awesome...allegedly!

[njsteve]

I took gramma's car out today for a 117 mile cruise with my son. Mostly highway speeds. It was about 70 degrees out and at 75 MPH the temp was around 170. It moves up to around 190 in traffic but immediately resets to 170 when the car is moving again. The car cruises so smoothly with those 3.08s that my teenaged son fell asleep half way through the trip, even with the loud exhaust!

It did use around 3/4 of a tank, too! I think it gets around 8 MPG (highway). Your actual mileage may vary.

When we got home I changed the oil and filter as we just hit the magic 1,000 mile mark on the new 455.

[scuncio]

Nice work, love the car.

[earntaz]

Originally Posted by njsteve

I took gramma's car out today for a 117 mile cruise with my son. Mostly highway speeds. It was about 70 degrees out and at 75 MPH the temp was around 170. It moves up to around 190 in traffic but immediately resets to 170 when the car is moving again. The car cruises so smoothly with those 3.08s that my teenaged son fell asleep half way through the trip, even with the loud exhaust!

It did use around 3/4 of a tank, too! I think it gets around 8 MPG (highway). Your actual mileage may vary.

When we got home I changed the oil and filter as we just hit the magic 1,000 mile mark on the new 455.

If she is getting hot in traffic, you may want to check the thermo fan -- could be fubar ... TAZ