Chevy & GMC Vans

I finally have an update. I got the problem fixed. As I said before my van always ran at around 225 deg and sometimes a bit higher but never fully overheating. I blamed the radiator because it was a "cheapo" from a no name parts store. I replaced it with the "Heatbuster" from Autozone and a second themostat. Again with a Mr Gasket, hi-flow, 180 deg stat. Still had the same problem. It ran only slightly cooler. I was still running the engine driven fan without a shroud. I replaced it with a Taurus electric fan. Everything worked great but it still was'nt cooling. I tried hosing down the radiator with cold water while the engine was running. Still no luck. The fan could only bring it down to 210. The only thing left was a restricted flow. I decided to change the thermostat again but this time I used a "Stant" brand regular style (180 deg). It cooled right down. The Taurus fan cools it with out a problem, it hardly ever turns on. I dont know if that is the way those Mr Gasket stats work or I am just unlucky to get 2 bad stats. I still haven't hooked up my ac or done any towing, so I don't if that will be a problem. I still have a large oil cooler that I still need to install. Thanks everyone for all the advice. Just because its new doesn't mean it's going to work.

Thanks Jerry

Wow! How the heck could you possibly get two defective t-stats in a row? Is it possible that the 1st two were slightly different in shape and somehow were binding somewhere? That's funky....

That`s very strange but keep us informed.

I have upgraded to a Caprice "Cop Car' mechanical engine driven fan which has a 7 blade agressive pitch design for pulling more air through my `92 Chevy pick-up rad, for keeping my towing temps down while towing through the desert upgrades in 120f heat.

I also have fitted sheetmetal ducting to guide more air in to my a/c condensor and engine cooling rad.