Quick check for fan clutch
Next time (Friend told me this):
With the engine cold (and off), take some string and loop it around the fan. Hold the string a couple feet away from the fan itself and be prepared to let loose quickly. Have someone start the car (cold) and hold the string tight enough so the fan does not turn. As things warm up the string will begin to pull hard as the clutch starts to engage. Note the temp gauge when this happens. Next time things overheat you can compare clutch operation.
Also: check out "high flow" thermostats (Robertshaw, Mr. Gasket, etc). Stock thermostats typically have a wide range between start-to-open and all-the-way open. The high flow units have a narrower range and go to full open at a lower temp. It cut my Chevy's "normal" operating temp from about 200 down to 190 with no other changes. (Arizona).
.
Next time (Friend told me this):
With the engine cold (and off), take some string and loop it around the fan. Hold the string a couple feet away from the fan itself and be prepared to let loose quickly. Have someone start the car (cold) and hold the string tight enough so the fan does not turn. As things warm up the string will begin to pull hard as the clutch starts to engage. Note the temp gauge when this happens. Next time things overheat you can compare clutch operation.
Also: check out "high flow" thermostats (Robertshaw, Mr. Gasket, etc). Stock thermostats typically have a wide range between start-to-open and all-the-way open. The high flow units have a narrower range and go to full open at a lower temp. It cut my Chevy's "normal" operating temp from about 200 down to 190 with no other changes. (Arizona).
.
