Heater Core

[BadWS6]

I just put a 160 tstat in my Bird and the heater never gets much warmer than luke warm. but the engine temp is way down

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I am having the same problem, No heat.. it kind of works if the car sits for about 20 after the temp reached 180. I have flushed the radiator twice and the core and the water flowed just fine in and out of the core, i bought my thermostat at advance auto, would they give me the wrong one? I measured the stat and the hole in the water pump and they are the same, could it be vaccum lines or anything like that

Just an FYI from ShoeBox's website. Can you remember what it looked like?

[96ws-6]

looks like i got the right one

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

i bought my thermostat at advance auto, would they give me the wrong one?

Maybe they did. All LT1 engines utilize a special 2-way acting full bypass thermostat.

Below is a picture of the correct thermostat. Notice the stock SBC thermostat in the top center that is incorrect.

[Joe 1320]

Are we sure that there is ample and or correct airflow over the heater core? The temperature control of the HVAC is supposed to control the mix of air passing through the core. If the air diverters are not functioning properly due to loss of vacuum signal or an obstruction, you'll get symptoms that you are describing. This may require disassembly of the area under the passenger side dash area as well as checking the vacuum signals to the HVAC head unit.

[alenstein]

Trace you are the man! hehe
I followed your instructions, I did it with rather limited tools, I should've lisened about the hose fittings, I had water all over me, hehe. What a pain to get to hose going to the water pump I suggest to everyone to use a jack.
You guys wouldn't believe the stuff flowing out of the heater core, more like red mud with beach sand. Also scared me a little, I wasn't expecting to loose so much collant. Me and my buddy put everything back together, immediately the "low coolant" light comes on temp. at 240 and increasing and cold air coming out of the vents. Sent my friend for some oolant, refilled it, took couple of cycles and bleeding to ge it going. The reward: finger burning heat, well it was about 42F outside, I am for the cooler days.
Oh yeah. The ' low coolant ' light comes on after driving for about 10 minutes, but I didn't notice the engine overheating or and drasttic temp. rise.
?? Add more coolant?

Anyway, Thanks again everyone. Ill update this situation tomorrow.

[Joe 1320]

Trace you are the man! hehe
I Oh yeah. The ' low coolant ' light comes on after driving for about 10 minutes, but I didn't notice the engine overheating or and drasttic temp. rise.
?? Add more coolant?

.

Yes, but likely you have trapped air. You'll have to bleed the system using the two bleeder screws located by the water neck and the coolant line. Put a rag under them to prevent coolant from dripping on the optispark. Start the car, add coolant and open the bleed screws until all the trapped air is allowed to escape and straght liguid starts to come out. Close the bleed screws. You may have to do this a couple of times to remove all trapped air.

[alenstein]

Yes, but likely you have trapped air. You'll have to bleed the system using the two bleeder screws located by the water neck and the coolant line. Put a rag under them to prevent coolant from dripping on the optispark. Start the car, add coolant and open the bleed screws until all the trapped air is allowed to escape and straght liguid starts to come out. Close the bleed screws. You may have to do this a couple of times to remove all trapped air.

Will do so today.