How often does the radiator overheat on Stock 28zx's?

[silent]

I just fixed up a 280zx that sat for 10 years. it works beautifully!

but the radiator needs to be replaced according to my mechanic. he also mentioned that these cars tend to overheat too much.

Would a new radiator fix my overheating problem, or do I need something else?

If I haven't explained enough to help you out, please mention so.

[MikeW]

I would suggest visiting one of the places that cover the 280ZX as this club is dedicated to the earlier 240-280Z models.

www.Zcar.com

www.HybridZ.org

www.Zdriver.com

[sblake01]

I don't see any reason to be snobbish. Alot of you out there are running ZX motors, brakes, and what not. I don't own a 240Z, but a 280Z (notZX) and sometimes the responses make me wonder why I'm here. The man simply asked a cooling system question. Cooling systems are pretty much the same whether it be a Z or a ZX. If you have a blockage in your radiator that will cause overhating. Sticking thermostat, bad thermocoupling (clutch fan), mis-adjusted timing, bad water pump, or even a loose fan belt can cause overhating. Hope that is of some help to you, silent, and I apologize for the rant.

[Ed]

I agree with you Stephen, If we can help then help I will.

Silent, all radiators will eventually build up with crud. Even a well maintained engine if the cooling system isn't flushed yearly. It's all part of preventative maintanace. Now if you want to keep the original radiator then have it boiled out and rodded. This is where they take the radiator apart boil it to loosten up all the crud then they will run a metal rod through the passages to clear it. Alot of work but sometimes cheaper than a new one. Now I don't know about the 280zx having problems with overheating but if that is the case then I would suggest getting a larger capacity radiatior. This is usually refered to as "rows" 3 row vs. a 4 row the 4 row would be better. Now if you could get a 4 row radiator for your car I would think you would have any overheating issues solved. That is of coarse depending on the condition of the rest of the cooling system. Try Motorsports Auto they are in southern california and could get you a new radiator.

[ChrisA]

Along with everything Stephen and Ed said, I would be leery of the head gasket on a car that's sat for 10 years. You just never know the internal condition of the motor when it was put away all those years ago.

On a side note, if you've got an air conditioning condenser in front of your radiator you will limit the air flow which could cause an overheating problem if your radiator is already suspect.

Especially if you live in a hot climate.

Much luck,

Chris

[ZwolleY]

I just put a 3 row MSA radiator in my '72 along with a 180 deg thermostat. I got the radiator in 3 days and it was very well packaged. The old one was leaking very badly and could not be repaired. The overheating problem I was haveing seems to be fixed but when the car first gets warmed up it seems to overheat, needle runs up close to the top but then it settles down to just about a needle's width above center and stays that way. Didn't do this before. Could this be a symptom of a bad sensor or guage?

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by ZwolleY

Could this be a symptom of a bad sensor or guage?

It could. But it could also be a sticking Thermostat (more likely IMO).

[ChrisA]

Hey Zwolley, did you put in a genuine Nissan thermostat? I put a Gates in once and mine did what yours did. Seems the Gates was very slow to open which really heated things up before she popped open. The OEM stat cracks at about 182 on my direct reading gauge. Plus I think Carl (Bambikiller) posted a thread on this once about how much bigger the center opening on the OEM stat was versus aftermarket.

Much luck,

Chris

[Bambikiller240]

I think some of you folks are being a little harsh towards MikeW. Maybe he should have ignored the post entirely, but I don't feel that he deserves to be labled a snob by you guys.

If you want to help "silent", jump on in and do so, but IMO y'all should ZIP IT when it comes to labling other members in any way. PERIOD!

[ZwolleY]

The thermostat is a Stant and I put it in because it was what I had. It has the small opening. I will replace it with an OEM if I continue to have problems.

[MikeW]

I apologize for sounding snobby. That was not the intent but rather an attempt to let a new member know that expertise available here might not apply to different models.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by MikeW

I apologize for sounding snobby. That was not the intent but rather an attempt to let a new member know that expertise available here might not apply to different models.

That is what I perceived your message to be. No harm, no foul as far as I am concerned.