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reroute - heater core = idle overheating

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Old 10-30-2009, 12:18 PM
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Default reroute - heater core = idle overheating

I've had some issues with my reroute since it's gone in. I feel like I can't be the only one with the issue and I'm wondering what others have done to resolve the problem. I relocated the thermostat to the back of the block and deleted the heater core. The car cools great just driving around normally, I'm typically 185-190 degrees. The problem comes when I'm at idle. Without any restriction in flow to the lower radiator hose the flow across the radiator seems to virtually stop.

I've tried restricting the size of the water line to limit the flow to the lower radiator hose, but no matter how small I go at idle/low rpms I'm running into the same problem. I'm concerned that limiting the size anymore will cause me to build too much pressure in the system when the thermostat is closed. Has anyone else run into this problem?

I'm actually considering trying to find an old heater core to mount in the engine bay somewhere it won't get any air flow to it just for some more restriction in the line. Possibly put a little fan on it if I'm stuck at a light on a hot day and temps are rising. Anyone else had to address this issue? I'd be interested to see how you resolved it.
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Old 10-30-2009, 12:26 PM
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did you drill holes in the thermostat to promote flow through it?
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Old 10-30-2009, 12:42 PM
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What he said ^^ and what temp t-stat?
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Old 10-31-2009, 01:07 AM
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It's a 180 degree thermostat. I'll try drilling some holes in it, but it still seems like water is going to prefer to bypass the radiator. Someone really should design a thermostat that rotates to divert flow from one direction to another rather than just opening up a previously blocked path. It seems like it would be fairly easy/cheap to design and would give far superior cooling and warming under any conditions.
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