coolant temperature CHEVROLET CAMARO 1974 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Optional Instruments and Gauges
Tachometer and Oil Pressure Indicator Light
The optional Tachometer indicates the speed of the engine in revolutions per
minute. The yellow area on the face of the tachometer indicates the highest recom­
mended engine rpm. Engine operation causing tachometer indications in or above
the red area can lead to serious engine damage.
Function of the .oil pressure
'light is described on page 24.
Engine Temperature Gauge
This optional gauge indicates coolant temperature which will vary with air tem­
perature and operating conditions. The ignition switch must be on for accurate
readings. Hard driving
or prolonged idling in very hot weather will cause the pointer
to move beyond the center of the band.
Should pointer move to the line at the "H"
end of the band, stop engine or reduce speed to permit engine to cool. A neutral
idle speed of
1500 RPM or driving in high gear at 34-40 miles per hour will achieve
best cooling.
Ammeter
The optional ammeter indicates whether the battery is being charged or discharged.
The De1cotron charging system
is equipped with a regulator which controls the charge
according to battery requirements. When the De1cotron generator
is supplying more
than the current demand, the ammeter will indicate a charging rate. If the current
demand
is more than the De1cotron output, a discharge will be indicated. With the
battery fully charged, the charging rate will be low, thus giving an indication of
battery condition.
27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine "HOT" MARK
"COLD" MARK
>-f.. __ "AOO"
If at operating temperature (ap­
proximately
150° F-hot to the
touch), fluid should be between
"HOT" and "COLD" marks. If at
room temperature (approximately
70° F), fluid should be between
"ADD" and "COLD" marks. Fluid
does not require periodic changing.
Hood Latches
Every 4 months or 6,000 miles,
. whichever occurs first, lubricate
hood latch assembly and hood
hinge assembly
as follows:
1. Wipe off any accumulation of
dirt or contamination on latch
parts.
2. Apply Lubriplate or equivalent
to latch pilot bolts and latch
locking plate.
3. Apply light engine oil to all
pivot points in release mecha­
nism,
as well as primary and
secondary latch mechanisms.
4. Lubricate hood hinges.
5. Make hood hinge and latch
mechanism functional check to
assure the assembly
is working
correctly.
Air Conditioning
Have your Chevrolet Dealer
check your Air Conditioning
sys­
tem at some time during the winter
months to
be sure there has been
no loss in cooling output. During
the summer,
see your Chevrolet
Dealer immediately if you suspect
the system
is not performing as it
should.
53
NOTE: On vehicles equipped
with a Four Season Air Condi­
tioning System, the system will not
operate below ambient tempera­
tures of
30°F. regardless of con­
trol position.
Cooling System Care
Check the coolant level at each
engine · oil change.
Engine Cooling System
The recovery type cooling sys­
tem is standard on all Chevrolet
passenger cars and
is designed to
maintain the engine at proper op­
erating temperatures.
The recovery
tank collects coolant that expands
with rising temperature that would
otherwise overflow from the
sys­
tem. When · the system temperature
drops, the coolant
is drawn from
the recovery tank back into the
radiator by the suction created by
coolant contraction. The cooling
system has been filled at the fac-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine tory with a high-quality, inhibited,
year-around coolant that meets the
standards of General Motors
Spe­
cification 1899-M. This coolant
solution provides freezing protec­
tion to
-20oP (-35°P in Can­
ada), and it has been formulated to
be used for two full calendar years
or
24,000 miles, whichever first
occurs, of normal operation with­
out replacement, provided the
proper concentration of coolant is
maintained.
Cooling System Care
The radiator cap should not be
removed to check coolant level.
Check the coolant level visually in
the 'see thru' coolant recovery tank
at least
as frequently as engine oil
changes. Level should be at the
"full cold" mark on the recovery
tank when the system
is cold. At
normal operating temperature the
coolant should be at the
"full hot"
mark on the recovery tank. Add sufficient
coolant to the recovery
tank.
Use a 50/50 mixture of high­
quality ethylene glycol antifreeze
and water for coolant additions.
If
regular additions are required, see
your dealer for a cooling system
check.
NOTE: If recommended quality
antifreeze
is used, supplemental in­
hibitors or additives claiming to
provide increased capability are
not necessary. They may be detri­
mental to the efficient operation of
the system, and represent an un­
necessary operating expense.
Every year, the cooling system
should be serviced
as follows:
1. Wash
radiator cap and filler
neck with clean water.
2. Check coolant for proper level
and freeze protection.
3. Pressure test system and radia-
54
tor cap for proper pressure hold­
ing capacity (15 psi) .
If re­
placement of cap
is required, use
the special AC cap designed for
coolant recovery systems, speci­
fied for your model.
4. Tighten hose clamps and inspect
all hoses. Replace hoses when­
ever swollen, checked or other­
wise deteriorated.
5. Clean frontal area of radiator
core and air conditioning con­
denser.
Replace hoses every 24 months
or 24,000 miles or earlier if
checked, swollen or otherwise de­
teriorated. Every two years
or 24,-
000 miles, whichever first occurs,
the cooling system should be
flushed and refilled using the fol­
lowing recommended procedure:
1. Remove radiator cap when
engine is cool by:
• Slowly rotating cap counter-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine clockwise to detent (do not
press down while rotating).
• Wait until any residual pres­
sure (indicated by a hissing
sound)
is relieved.
• After all hissing ceases, press
down on cap while continuing
to rotate counterclockwise.
CAUTION: To ,a~()/d' thedange, .• olbfling "l)~ned;tlo n(Jtl'entoveradiator «aP while
, engipe and radiator are ,stlll hot because $ca/ding ' flU./d·antlsteam' will be blown .
(1utunder pressure.
2. If necessary, run engine, with
radiator cap removed, until nor­
mal operating temperature
is
reached and upper radiator hose
is hot (indicates thermostat
is
open).
3. Stop engine and open radiator
drain valve to drain coolant. (To
speed this operation, the drain
plugs in the block can also be
removed.) 4.
Close valve (install block drain
plugs, if removed) and add suf­
ficient water to
fill system .
5. Run engine, drain and refill the
system, as described in steps
1,
2, 3, and 4, a sufficient number
of times until the drained liquid
is nearly colorless.
6. Allow system to drain com­
pletely and then close radiator
drain valve tightly. (Install
block drain plugs, if removed.)
7. Remove recovery cap leaving
hoses in place. Remove coolant
recovery tank and empty of
fluid. Flush tank with clean
water , drain and reinstall.
8. Add sufficient ethylene glycol
coolant , meeting GM specifica­
tion 1899-M, to provide the re­
quired freezing and corrosion
protection-at least a 44 percent
solution
(-20°F). Fill radiator
to the base of the radiator filler
55
neck and add sufficient coolant
to the recovery tank to raise level
to the
"FULL HOT" mark. Re­
install recovery tank cap.
9. Run engine , with radiator cap
removed, until normal operat­
ing
temperature is reached.
(Radiator upper hose becomes
hot.)
10. With engine idling, add cool­
ant until level reaches bottom
of filler neck and install radia­
tor cap making certain arrows
line up with overflow tube.
It is the owner's responsibility
to keep the freeze protection at a
level commensurate with the tem­
peratures which may occur in the
area of vehicle operation .
• Maintain cooling system freeze
protection at
-20 °F or below
to ensure protection against cor­
rosion and loss of coolant from
boiling even though freezing

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine temperatures are not expected.
• Add ethylene glycol base coolant
that meets GM Specification
1899-M when coolant additions
are required because of coolant
loss or to provide additional pro­
tection against freezing at tem­
peratures lower than
-20°F
(-35°F in Canada).
NOTE: Alcohol or methanol base
coolants or plain water are not
recommended for your Camaro at
any time.
Radi~tor Pressure Cap
The radiator cap, a 15 lb. pres­
sure type, must be installed tightly,
9therwise coolant may be lost and
damage to engine may result from
overheating.
Radiator pressure
caps should be checked periodi­
cally for proper operation.
If re­
placement
is required specify AC.
Thermostat
The cooling system is protected
and controlled by a thermostat in­
stalled in the engine coolant outlet
to maintain a satisfactory operat­
ing temperature of the engine. This
Tires
NOTE: The factory installed tires
on your car are either bias-belted thermostat
is designed
for continu­
ous
. use through both winter and
summer and need not be changed
seasonally. When replacement
is
necessary, Delco parts are recom­
mended.
or optional steel-belted radial tires.
Additional owner information about
steel-belted radial tires
is contained
in the special steel-belted radial tire
guarantee booklet.
CAMARO TIRE USAGE
ENGINE & BODY STANDARD OPTIONAL
All (Except E78 x 14 E78 x 14, F78 x 14 Space Saver Spare
Type LTand Z28) F70 x 14 White Stripe or White Letters
F78 x 14 Whitewall or White Letters
Type
LT FR78 x 14 F78 x 14 Space Saver Spare F70 x 14 White Stripe or White Letters
FR78 x 14 Whitewall or White Letters
Z28 F60 x 15 White Letters F78 x 14 Space Saver Spare
All standard tires are blackwall with whitewall optional. All tires are bias-belted load range B unless otherwise specified. '
56

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine as each spark plug cable for
tightness.
(K) If the co r will still not sta rt, check for spark at the spark plugs in the following manner:
Pull one of the spark plug
wires off its spark plug. Insert a
short piece of bare wire (such as a bobby pin) between the rubber
cup
at the end of the spark plug
wire
and the tubular metal con­nector inside of it. If the spark
plug wire is wet or oily, wipe it Checking Spark
dry. Wrap a dry handkerchief or facial tissue, folded several
thicknesses, around the wire at least three inches back from the
end and grasp the wire at this point. Hold the bare wire about 1f ..
inch from the bare tip of the spark plug from which you removed the
wire. When the engine is "turned over" a spark should jump across
the
~ inch space, indicating ample current supply. If no spark
jumps, the difficulty
is probably caused by a defective ignition part
and should be corrected by your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
COOLING SYSTEM
When the car will run but evidences serious overheating on the
temperature gauge in the instrument panel, there are several items
which may be checked.
(L) Engine overheating will occur whim the OIL LEVEL falls danger­ously low. Check the oil level as a matter of course.
69
(M) Low COOLANT LEVEL will, of co~rse, cause engine over­
heating. Determine the cause of the low coolant level and have
it corrected if necessary.
(N) Check the RADIATOR CORE. Clean it if it is plugged with
bugs, leaves or other foreign material.
(0) Condition of the FAN BELT is very impartant, not only for en­gine cooling but also for proper generator operation. Check the
condition of the belt. Replace it if it is worn or frayed. Loosen the generator toward the engine to remove and replace the belt. Tighten the belt, whether new or old, by loosening the generator bolts, prying with a bar on the generator until the belt is ten­sioned properly, then retighten
the generator bolts.
(P) Another cause of engine
overheating may be an inopera­
tive COOLING SYSTEM THERMO­STAT. If the thermostat should fail in the closed position, it will not
permit coolant to circulate through
the system. In such on emergency
the thermostat may be removed but should be replaced with a
properly functioning thermostat
as soon as possible.
Fan 8e/f Tension
ThermoS/of Insfallafion

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Dealer Assistance ..................... 74 Defogger, Rear Window ............... 31 Defroster, Defogger, Windshield ........ 30 Dimensions, Vehicle ................... 70 Dimmer Switch, Headlamp. . . . . . . . . . .. 22 Directional Signals.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18 Door Locks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
Drive Belts, Engine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49 Driver Seat Adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 "Drive". (D) Transmission Range. . . .. 17 Dusty Conditions, Operating Under Oil Change Interval. ................ 47 Oil Filter Change IntervaL ........... 47 Electric Clock. . .. .. . . . . .. .. . .. . .. . . .. 28 Electrical System Ammeter .......................... 27 Battery .......................... 63, 70 Bulbs ............................. 73 Fuses ............................. 73 Generator Indicator Light. . . . . . . . . .. 25 Emergency, In case Of. ............... 36 Brake Warning Light ................ 25 Generator Indicator Not Charging. . .. 25 Hazard Warning Flasher ............. 36 Jacking To Change Wheels ........... 39 Jump Starting with Auxiliary Battery .. 37 Overheated Radiator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 39 (Temperature Indicator: Hot)
Pushing To Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36 ' Energizer (See Battery)
Engine Cooling
........................... 53 Exhaust Gas Caution ........ , . . . . . .. 13 Flooded, Starting Procedure .......... 14 Overheating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 39 Serial Number ...................... 70
Specifications ................. , . . . .. 70 Starting ........................... 14 Temperature Light. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25 Engine Oil Capacity ..... , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 70 Change Interval. ................... 47 Dip Stick. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 48 Filter .............................. 47 Pressure Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 24 Recommendation ............... ' ... 47 Ethylene Glycol Coolant. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 54 Exhaust Gas Caution ............ ' ..... ' 13 Driving With Trunk Open. . . . . . . . . .. 13 Parked With Engine Running. . . . . . .. 13 Pulling A Trailer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11 Exterior Finish and Trim care. . . . . . . .. 44
Fabric Care .......................... 41 Fan Belt. .............................. 49 Ventilating ......................... 28 Filters OiL ............................... 47 Finish Care, Exterior. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 44 First Few Hundred Miles of Driving............................ 2 First Gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17 Flame Arrestor ......... , . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49 Flammable Cleaning Solvents .......... 41 Flashers
Hazard Warning .................... 36 Turn Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18 Flooded Engine, Starting. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15 Floor Controls ....................... 21 Fluid Levels
Battery ............................ 63 Brake Master Cylinder. . . . . . . . . . . . .. 52 Engine Oil. ........................ 49 Power Steering ..................... 52
79
Radiator ........................... 55 Rear Axle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 49 Transmission ....................... 50 Fluid Recommendations
Battery ......................... , .. 63 Brake ............................. 52 Power Steering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 52 Radiator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 56
Transmission ....................... 50 Windshield Washer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 28 Fogging, With Air Conditioner. . . . . . . .. 33 Folding Seat Back Latches. . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Foreign Countries, Operation In ........ 12 Four Way Hazard Flasher ............. 36 Front Suspension ..................... 51 Front Wheel Bearings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 52 Fuel (See Gasoline)
Full Rated Load (See Tires)
Fumes Engine Exhaust. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.. 13 Gasoline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13 Fuses Chart. ............................ 73 Location ........................... 72 Gas Station Information
Inside Back Cover
Gasoline
(See Also Fuel) Do Not Use For Cleaning ........... 41 Filler Cap Location ................ IBC
Fumes ............................. 13 Gauge ............................. 24 Low-Lead .......................... 46 Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 46 Gauge, FueL... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 24 Gearshift Lever.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17 Generator Indicator Light ' ("AMP") .......................... 25 Glove Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23