Found a down side to the big block cars!

[nada]

Issue resolved [Modified by Rick Church, 12:23 AM 7/16/2003]

[OHSIXX]

My 350 can get pretty hot sometimes in Florida; especially with the Astro Top.

I rarely use the AC, so it must not be to bad.

[Paranoid]

That's not a down side Rich....my wife & I plan to loose a few lbs every outing. :lol: Sorta like a sauna with your clothes on, I told her, :D

[JB]

Hmm. I've never really noticed that's it's hotter in my BB than in the SB I used to have. Both of 'em would give me toasty feet, but nothing so bad I felt abused. And my rat never overheats. Just did a 140 mile run a couple weekends back (70 miles each way with a few hours break in between) in 95 degree weather and she ran 190 the whole way.

JB

[bamavettes]

I have driven many big blocks for a lot of years. Had a 70 that would toast me.

This '68 427 Big Block below is a pleasure to drive. It's no hotter than a 350. I feel like it is a honor every week when I drive it.

I was not looking for a car with good gas mileage. My wife has one of those.

These cars have been called Shake-Rattle-and Roll. If you can get past #1 and #2 then all is fine.

Have a great 4th.....

[Alwyn678]

BB's do get hotter but who the hell uses the A/C in a vette..........I like putting the top down and feeling the wind in my hair.plus I want all the extra horses I can get......... :cheers:


[Modified by Alwyn678, 12:01 PM 7/4/2003]

[fontking1a]

Rick...my '69 runs pretty cool and has done so for the past 30 something years. I run a 160 thermostat and the car has no A/C. Heat has never been a problem. California can get pretty hot at times but it's never kept me from driving the car....
Hope to see you in Middle Tennessee in the next year or so. We're leaving this state as soon as we can.....

[Larry B.]

I hear about heat all of the time... Any corvette that doesn't have all of the heat insulators and shields and the air doors aren't working just right can get hot. Headers make it worse. Also ... Factory non A/C cars have vent that the A/C cars do not have. So if you have a car with the A/C removed or not working then there are no vents to open. My 69 is not a problem at all even here in Florida... :cool:

[Rowdy Rat]

I hear about heat all of the time... Any corvette that doesn't have all of the heat insulators and shields and the air doors aren't working just right can get hot.

Larry,

Too true... Add to that improperly installed/missing grommets, lack of appropriate sealer over grommets/plugs/boots, malfunctioning HVAC controls, damaged shift lever seal... The list goes on. The sealant issue is especially common because restorers don't like to "mess up" a freshly detailed firewall by slopping on the sealant. Ugly or not, it's there for a reason.

I'm with you... I never noticed the big block Corvettes that I've owned to be any hotter in the passenger compartment than the small blocks that I've had... As long as the previously mentioned areas are finished/installed/working up to factory specifications.

Regards,

[PRNDL]

Rick, You are on to us! :lol: The trick is to look COOL while you are sweating!! But actually it doesn't have to be quite as bad as what you saw. I have made a lot of progress in making my car bearable in the heat by addressing all those issues mentioned above. A huge difference when the car is running at 185-190 vs 210-220!! At the hotter temps the center console and other areas get hot. But with the top down on a hot sunny day you are going to be hot no matter what you are driving! MJ :)

[Corey_68]

We've had our '68 for 23yrs and not once have we charged up the A/C. Just drop the top on the Vert and you have instant A/C. :D

Happy Fourth guys, even thouugh it's pouring rain here. :rolleyes:

[norvalwilhelm]

I just got back from an hour run at about 70 mph in over 90 degree heat and my car never came close to hitting 200 even in that heat. I don't have air but with the windows down and the Tee tops ON it was a pleasant drive. I also run close to 15 mpg on the open road.

[74 vert]

I think my interior temp is much cooler now that I installed, foil covered insulation under the carpet and Jet-hot Hooker side-pipes, the sound is cool too. I have a non-AC car.

[bence13_33]

You're right big blocks do have down sides. All that torque sure is a bummer :D .

Seriously though the gas mileage with my car isn't that bad. I get 8-10MPG since I leaned out my carburetor. The main thing that kills my gas mileage is my 4.11 gears with no overdrive. Taching 3000-3500RPMs at 55-65MPH will do that though. After having built a big block I can honestly say I have no desire to put a small block back in my car.

[norvalwilhelm]

Shane once you install that blower motor I think you would be better off without the 4.11's. The new motor will make so much torque that they will fry any street tire you try. I reinstalled the 3.08 and like them alot better. At least now in second with a little care it hooks.

[zwede]

I know your post was kidding but I drive my 71 454 every day. AC blows cold 40F air, engine never goes above 200F and I get 12+ mpg city. Now an all stock 71 may not have done the above, which is why I modifed it! :cool:

[WESCH]

Hi
Sounds like my car when I bought it. 68 convert BB.
It had cracked open floor panels, the shifter linkage tunnel was cut out to work on the links, every plug of the splash /heat shield was missing. The vent fan + box was removed and hot eng compartment air found it's way through, the hood aft seal was missing allowing hot air to get through the fresh air intakes and and and.....
After fixing all this + installing alu-rad, elctric rad cooling fans, adjusting ign timing correctly and and and..., its just a pleasure to drive now.
No more hot feet, no more hot air blowing into my face.
And I don't even have AC . :crazy:
I realy also need to wrap the HOOKER side pipe headers to finish this up.

BB rocks. I wouldn't miss it anymore.

Gunther

[Marc80]

Do like I do in Florida ...throw in a chunk of aromatic cedar. It will really complete the sauna illusion!