1970 Camaro RS Operation Budget LSx - Page 17 - Lateral-g Forums

70rs · #**161** 07-19-2011, 08:43 AM

Congrats Nathan!!

The last time I saw the car outside was when we hauled it over.

I can't wait to see it runnning in person.

1970camaroRS · #**162** 07-19-2011, 11:35 AM

Thanks! Eric, it's been so long I barely remember that! Can't wait to solve the cooling issue and get some mufflers on it.

70rs · #**163** 07-19-2011, 11:44 AM

Mufflers.......dont need no stinkin mufflers.......

sweetstang68347 · #**164** 07-19-2011, 03:56 PM

Nice fiery fuel pump and sweet car. It's nice when you replace a part and can see why it failed. A smoking gun...

1970camaroRS · #**165** 07-21-2011, 08:58 PM

Thanks!

New thermostat arrived in the mail today. Tested it and it passed with flying colors opening at an indicated 190ish degrees on the Taylor multiple meat thermometer. I was in such a rush, I forgot the camera and before you knew it, the old one was off and the new one was installed. Spilled barely a drop of coolant (ok...a lot of coolant) into a freshly cleaned bucket, was filtered and replaced. Yes, I admit to doing that, reusing coolant...brand new ran for 10 minutes coolant. Anyway, on to the fun!

I took the old one and wanted to verify it was indeed the cause to my troubles.

How to Cook a Thermostat

1. Place in pot of hot water, turn heating element to 11. (If yours only goes to 10, then just remark 10 to read 11...) Since this is a scientific test and accuracy is key, steal you wife's cooking thermometer, they are actually surprisingly accurate. Tape it, vise grip it or whatever to the pot. (keep a lookout for the wife...she might not like this activity)

2. Cook until an indicated 190-200 degrees depending on your thermostat's rating. Of course, some of you in those stupid hot states might have one that opens at 160...you can figure out when to stop cooking and check to see if it's done. I let mine go to 200 (197 is the rating on it) and removed to check. Yes, I know it looks much higher than 200...that's the angle of the picture, it was 200, trust me. Not that it would have mattered.

3. Check to see if it opened!

Ruh-roh.

4. Repeat if necessary. I let mine go until I saw movement in the element. 230-250ish degrees...not sure how accurate this thing is off the chart.

Finally.

The car went to from 190 to 240 degrees indicated very quickly before I shut down last weekend without any coolant flow. Now I know why.

On Sunday I should be able to install my mechanical fuel pressure gauge and set the correct fuel pressure. Then some more coolant to top things off and find out if the cooling system actually works now!

1970camaroRS · #**166** 07-25-2011, 12:15 AM

No video yet since the videographer was away again today. Installed the mechanical fuel pressure gauge, set the PSI at 7lbs (or near there). Added another half gallon of coolant and fired it up. Backed it into the driveway as stuff was falling off the shelves in the garage...damn this thing is loud and thumps hard. Went up to 200...cooling hoses got warm finally. Temp dropped briefly. Good, coolant is circulating. Got up almost to 210 and the fan turned on. Dropped temp to about 200 again and fan turned off. It's all working perfectly. Idled for about 20 minutes without overheating. I think it's ready to be tagged and go for a drive to get mufflers.

Video WILL be coming, I promise.

70rs · #**167** 07-25-2011, 11:10 AM

I want to hear it without the mfflers......at 6000 rpm.

1970camaroRS · #**168** 07-25-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs

I want to hear it without the mfflers......at 6000 rpm.

Bring your gun to fend off my neighbors!

Actually, idle alone is fairly impressive with the cam that's in it.

rwhite692 · #**169** 07-25-2011, 11:34 AM

Good on ya, for checking the thermostat. I've had brand new ones (a good ol Robertshaw, and one Napa) fail on me twice, and now I always test them out beforehand.

1970camaroRS · #**170** 08-01-2011, 08:54 PM

Problem: My 2000 Camaro SS overheated this weekend and ate it's LS1. No oil pressure....

Solution: Make my 1970 Camaro my daily driver again until I can replace the 2000 Camaro's motor (LY6 maybe?)

Problem: My 1970 looks kind of like this:

There is no money for a new hood....

Solution: Best redneck repair I've ever done...I hope. Involves duct tape, epoxy, and rustolium. It should get me through the summer.

Also needed: Exhaust, registration and insurance. Will be taken care of Thursday. By Monday I should be taking it to work every day...