I started the Chevelle up tonight and went to get some gas and when I got back I was leaking coolant from the overflow tube. Does that mean the tsat is stuck? I want to change it out anyway...the previous owner put in a 160 degree tstat and I want to put in a 180 degree...or I think?? Unless anyone has a different idea. I bought the car with no shroud too, so I'm sure that doesn't help to keep it cool here in Florida.

Don't forget my question about the leaking of coolant...is it because of the tstat or maybe the level was too high. Can anyone recommend a tstat to use...going to buy one tomorrow. Thanks.

Leaking coolant from the overflow tube?? Was it leaking into the overflow?

When a motor gets warmed up a little water will go into the overflow. Now if your radiator was boiling and was steaming out the overflow ,,, taht would be overheating. I think it is fine.
A shroud is good to have and a 160 tstat is what I have.

I don't have an overflow...just a tube. So I am curious as to why it was coming out...the previous owner said it never did that but he did tell me that he topped off the fluids before the car was sent to me. I've heard so many different things about the 160 degree tstat vs the 180 degree tstat...should I buy a high flow tstat and if so, what kind? Thanks.

When the water gets hot it expands or swells into the overflow and when it cools it siphons it back into the radiator. You need an over flow. A stock tstat would be perfect.
You don't have a temperature gauge?
If not you need a temperture gauge, fan shroud and an over flow. :)

Good Luck

If the rad was totally full, it is normal for some to leak out. Coolant level should be several inches below neck when cold, or get a overflow bottle, like I did

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/516/Dsc00935.jpg

I started the Chevelle up tonight and went to get some gas and when I got back I was leaking coolant from the overflow tube. Does that mean the tsat is stuck? I want to change it out anyway...the previous owner put in a 160 degree tstat and I want to put in a 180 degree...or I think?? Unless anyone has a different idea. I bought the car with no shroud too, so I'm sure that doesn't help to keep it cool here in Florida.

Don't forget my question about the leaking of coolant...is it because of the tstat or maybe the level was too high. Can anyone recommend a tstat to use...going to buy one tomorrow. Thanks.

T/Stat's
A 160 t/stat will not bring down engine temps inless the cooling system can modulate the t/stat .
it only controls opening point in a poor cooling system ..same with a 180. stat ..if you see 195 on the gage stat is open and thats the best the cooling system will do .
A shroud is a must !!
if your (not )running a recerculating tank and 2 way presure cap ... leave room for expamnsion in the rad ... fill to about 3 inch below the neck in a cross flow rad . 16lbs cap will give you a boil over point at at 259 degrees .
Don

Thanks...do you think I can find a shroud on ebay? If so, I'll pick one up. Thanks again.

T/Stat's
A 160 t/stat will not bring down engine temps inless the cooling system can modulate the t/stat .
it only controls opening point in a poor cooling system ..same with a 180. stat ..if you see 195 on the gage stat is open and thats the best the cooling system will do .
A shroud is a must !!
if your (not )running a recerculating tank and 2 way presure cap ... leave room for expamnsion in the rad ... fill to about 3 inch below the neck in a cross flow rad . 16lbs cap will give you a boil over point at at 259 degrees .
Don

I'd get a hold of ALUMITECH REPRODUCTIONS,, he may be able to get an electric fan. It won't be original, but it'll cool better.
I got a 16" electric fan for my 65 off ebay for $40. It's not top notch, but it works. I just sold a 67 283 fan shroud in Great shape on ebay 3 months ago. It sold for I think $132 plus about $20 shipping. The buyers total around $150 tho. I didn't want to sell it,,,, but you know :(.

Good Luck

are you saying to get an electric fan if I can't find a shroud...or do both? Does the shroud have to be closed all the way around? I see some on ebay that are open on the bottom (Universal fit type thing) Thanks.

I also wanted to ask if I can't find one for the '66 with 283 does anything else cross reference with this? Thanks.

An electric fan can be used by it self,,, with or without a mechanical fan. I would think a 65,66,67 Chevelle or El Camino 283\327 fan shroud would work for you.
A good shroud would be closed all the way around.

This one may work tho it only has an hour left..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY-1962-63-IMPALA-SS-327-300-HP-FAN-SHROUD_W0QQitemZ220130139144QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em220130139144

This one is after market but looks OK:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-69-70-71-72-CHEVELLE-FAN-SHROUD-TOP-PLATE-COVER_W0QQitemZ180140586028QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m180140586028

Good luck

will that work on a '66? Thanks.

will something like this item number work? 300131548179 Thanks.

I don't know about the CHEVY-1962-63-IMPALA-SS-327-300-HP-FAN-SHROUD. It looks very close to the 67 one I sold.
I'm stupid the second one I showed you is for 68 and up,,, sorry I thought It said 66 A body.

I guess you saw this one,, it's not in the best shape, but would work:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fan-Shroud-for-1972-Chevelle_W0QQitemZ270145561763QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item270145561763


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevelle-El-Camino-66-67-Fan-Shroud-SB-V8-283-327_W0QQitemZ280132288747QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 80132288747

junkyards are full of dirt cheap electric fans, so unless you absolutely MUST have it look original or want to keep the mechanical fan, don't bother spending $$$ on it.
get a fan and harness with relay from a mid 80's Chev celebrity and use an oem style temp switch from NAPA that turns the fan on at 205 and off at 195, and that part is all set.
while at the junkyard, find an overflow bottle that will fit and grab that, too.
spend $6 on a new radiator cap for a mid 70's GM whatever that holds 15psi, and you are good to go.

OK, that sounds good. I'll do that. Thanks to all for the info.