cooling CHEVROLET CAMARO 1982 Repair Guide

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 403

Fig. 8: Lifting out the radiator
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the cooling system.
CAUTION - When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are
attracted by the ethylene gl ycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that
is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove
fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drai n the coolant into a sealable container.
Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or several years old.
3. Remove the air inlet ducts and air cleaner, if necessary.
4. Remove the electric cooling fan, if equipped.
5. Disconnect the coolant overflow tank hose.
6. Disconnect upper and lower radiator hoses.
7. On vehicles equipped with automat ic transmission, disconnect and plug
the transmission fluid cooler lines.
8. Disconnect and plug the engine oil cooler lines, if equipped.
9. Remove fan shroud a ssembly, if applicable.
10. Remove the upper radiator mount screws.
11. Remove the radiator assembly by lifting straight up.
The radiator assembly is held at the bottom by tw o cradles secured to the
radiator support.
12. If installing a new radiat or, transfer the fittings from the old radiator to the
new radiator.

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13. Replace the radiator assembly by
reversing the above steps. Check that
radiator lower cradles are locat ed properly in radiator recess.
14. Refill the cooling system. Check the engine oil and transmission fluid
levels, if necessary. Run engine for a short period of time and check for
leaks.
ENGINE OIL COOLER
The engine oil cooler consists of an adapter, bolted to the engine block, to
which the oil filter is scr ewed onto. The adapter has 2 hoses which attach to the
oil cooler and the radiator , these hoses are the inlet and return lines.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1. Disconnect the negative battery cabl e. Drain the cooling system into a
suitable container.
CAUTION - When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are
attracted by the ethylene gl ycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that
is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove
fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drai n the coolant into a sealable container.
Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or several years old.
2. Remove the radiator, if the oil c ooler is to be repaired or replaced,
otherwise remove the engine oil cooler from the radiator as necessary.
3. Remove the oil filter.
4. Remove the hoses from the oil cooler adapter.
5. Unscrew the oil cooler adapter re tainer and remove the assembly.
Discard the gasket.
6. Installation is the reverse of t he removal procedure. Use new gaskets.
ELECTRIC COOLING FAN
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Remove the air cleaner and ducts, if necessary.
3. Unplug the fan harness connector.
4. Remove the fan frame to radiator support mounting bolts and remove the
fan assembly. Some models are retai ned by clips. Remove these, then
slide the fan assembly from the radiator.
5. Install the cooling fan frame to t he radiator support bolt. Reconnect the
wiring harness, the negative battery cable and check fan operation.
BELT-DRIVEN COOLING FAN
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the fan shroud, as required.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 405
3. Remove the fan-to-water pum
p attaching bolts or nuts.
4. Remove the fan belts.
5. Remove the cooling fan and clut ch assembly. Separate the clutch
assembly from the fan.
Store the clutch in an upright position to prevent seal leakage.
6. Installation is the revers e of the removal procedure.
WATER PUMP
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
CAUTION - When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are
attracted by the ethylene gl ycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that
is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove
fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drai n the coolant into a sealable container.
Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or several years old.
2.5L ENGINE

Fig. 1: Water pump - 2.5L
1. Drain the cooling system.
2. Remove the accessory drive belts.
3. Remove the fan and pump pulley.
4. Remove the heater hose and lower r adiator hose from the water pump.
5. Remove the pump from the block.
To install: 6. Coat the new gasket with RTV sealer . Install the pump and torque bolts
to 25 ft lbs. (34 Nm).
7. Install the hose and lower radi ator hose to the water pump.
8. Install the pum p pulley and fan.
9. Install the accessory drive belts.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 406
10. Fill the cooling syst
em, start the engine and check for leaks.
V6 ENGINES 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove the air intake duct and air cleaner, if necessary.
4. Remove the drive belt.
5. Disconnect the heater and radiator hoses from the water pump.
6. Remove the power steering pump bracket and swing aside.
7. Remove the water pump bolts. Mark the bolts to their corresponding
locations for proper installation.
To install: 8. Clean the gasket surface.
9. Install the water pump with a new gasket. Apply sealer to the bolt
threads.
10. Tighten the large bolts to 25 ft lbs. ( 34 Nm), medium bolts to 15 ft lbs. (21
Nm) and the small bolts to 88 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
11. Install the power steering pump bracket.
12. Connect the heater and radiator hoses.
13. Install the drive belt.
14. Install the air cleaner and duct.
15. Fill the cooling syst em. Start the engine and check for leaks.
V8 ENGINES

Fig. 2: Removing the heater hoses

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 408

Fig. 5: Scraping off the old gasket material
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove the air intake duct and air cleaner, if necessary.
4. Remove the drive belt(s) and the water pump pulley.
5. Disconnect the heater and radiator hoses from the water pump.
6. Remove the water pump attaching bolts, then remove the pump. Mark
the bolts to their corresponding loca tions for proper installation.
To install: 7. Clean the gasket mating surfaces.
8. Install the water pump with a new gasket.
9. Install the coolant pump and bolts to the front cover using the dowel pins
as a guide.
10. Tighten the bolts to 30 ft lbs. (41 Nm).
11. Connect the heater and radiator hoses to the water pump.
12. Install the water pump pu lley and the drive belt(s).
13. Fill the cooling syst em. Start the engine and check for leaks.
CYLINDER HEAD
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
CAUTION - Properly relieve the fuel system pressure before disconnecting any
lines.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 410
11. Disconnect all electrical connecti
ons from the intake manifold and
cylinder head.
12. If the vehicle has air conditioning, remove the compressor and position it
out of the way. Do not disc onnect the refrigerant lines.
13. Remove the alternator and lay the unit aside. If necessary, remove the
alternator brackets.
14. Remove any other brackets or components mounted on the cylinder
head.
15. Remove the upper radiator hose.
16. Remove the rocker arm cover and back off the rocker arm nuts/bolts and
pivot the rocker arms out of the way so that the pushrods can be
removed. Identify the pushrods so that they can be reinstalled in their
original locations.
17. Remove the cylinder head bolts and cylinder head. Remove the intake
and exhaust manifolds, as required.
To install: 18. Thoroughly clean all mating surfaces of oil, grease and old gasket material. Clean the head bo lts and cylinder block threads, otherwise an
accurate torque specificat ion will not be attained.
19. Install a new gasket on the block mating surface. Position the cylinder
head on the block.
Clean the bolt threads, apply sealing comp ound and install the bolts finger-tight.
20. Tighten the head bolts a little at a time using the correct sequence and
torque to 92 ft lbs. (125 Nm).
21. Install the pushrods and rocker arms . Refer to the procedures described
earlier in this section.
22. Refill the cooling system and check for leaks. The remaining installation
is the reverse of the removal procedure.
2.8L AND 3.1L ENGINES

Fig. 2: Cylinder head bolt torque sequence for all V6 engines

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 411
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Relieve the fuel system pressure
and drain the engine coolant from the
radiator into a suitable container.
3. Remove the intake manifold and the spark plugs.
4. Remove the dipstick tube and bra cket. Raise and support the vehicle
safely. Drain the oil and remove the oil filter. Lower the vehicle.
5. Remove the exhaust manifolds.
6. Remove the drive belt(s).
7. Remove the air conditioning compresso r and bracket, reposition it aside.
Do not disconnect the lines.
8. Remove the power steering pump and bracket, reposition it aside.
9. Remove the alternator and br acket, reposition it aside.
10. Remove the ground cable from the rear of the cylinder head and remove
the engine lift bracket.
11. Remove the rocker arm covers.
12. Loosen the rocker arms until the pushrods can be removed.
13. Remove the cylinder head bolts and remove the cylinder heads.
To install: 14. Clean the gasket mating surfaces of all components. Be careful not to
nick or scratch any surfaces as this will allow leak paths. Clean the bolt
threads in the cylinder bl ock and on the head bolts. Dirt will affect bolt
torque.
15. Place the head gaskets in pos ition over the dowel pins.
16. Install the cylinder heads.
17. Coat the cylinder head bolts th reads with GM sealer 1052080 or
equivalent, and install the bolts. Tight en the bolts in the proper sequence
to:
• 1982-1987 engines: 70 ft lbs. (90 Nm)
• 1988-1992 engines: 1st step: 40 ft lbs. (55 Nm); 2nd step: tighten
an additional 1/4 (90 degree) turn
18. Install the pushrods a nd loosely retain them wit h the rocker arms. Make
sure the lower ends of the pushrods ar e in the lifter seats. Refer to the
rocker arm procedures outlined ea rlier in this section.
19. Install the power steering pump br acket and pump. Do the same for the
air conditioning compressor bracket and compressor.
20. Install the ground cable to t he rear of the cylinder head.
21. Install the exhaust manifolds.
22. Install the dipstick tube and bracket.
23. Install the intake manifold.
24. Install the alternator bracket and alternator.
25. Install the drive belt(s).
26. Install the spark plugs.
27. Fill the cooling system with the proper type and quantity of coolant. Install
a new oil filter and fill the crankca se with the proper type and quantity of
oil.
28. Connect the negative battery cable, star t the vehicle and check for leaks.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 416

Fig. 11: Cylinder head bolt torque sequence - V8 engines
1. Disconnect the negative battery c able. Drain the cooling system and
relieve the fuel system pressure.
2. Raise and support the vehicle safe ly. Drain the engine oil and remove
the oil filter. Lower the vehicle.
3. Remove the drive belt(s) and remove the intake manifold.
4. Remove the power steering pump, alternator bracket or the air
conditioning compressor mounting br acket and position aside. Do not
disconnect the lines from the air conditioning compressor.
5. Remove the exhaust manifolds and the valve covers.
6. Remove the rocker arms and pushrods.
7. Remove the cylinder head bolts and the cylinder head.
To install: 8. Clean the gasket mating surfaces of all components. Be careful not to
nick or scratch any surfaces as this will allow leak paths. Clean the bolt
threads in the cylinder bl ock and on the head bolts. Dirt will affect bolt
torque.
When using a steel gasket, coat both sides of the new gasket with a thin even
coat of sealer. If using a compos ition gasket, do not use any sealer.
9. Position the head gasket over the dow el pins with the bead up. Install the
cylinder head over the dowel pins and gasket.
10. Coat the threads of the head bo lts with GM 1052080 thread sealer or
equivalent. Install the head bolts and tighten in sequence, in three
passes, to 65 ft lbs. (92 Nm).
11. Install the exhaust manifolds.
12. Install the pushrods and rocker arms, refer to the procedures outlined earlier in this section. Install the valve covers.
13. Install the power steering pump and al ternator bracket or air conditioning
compressor mounting bra cket, as necessary.
14. Install the intake manifold.
15. Install the accessory drive belt(s).

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 417
16. Fill the cooling syst
em with the proper type and amount of coolant.
Connect the negative battery cable.
17. Raise and support the vehicle safely . Install a new oil filter, lower the
vehicle. Fill the crankcase with the proper type and quantity of engine oil.
18. Start the engine, check for lea ks and check the ignition timing.
OIL PAN
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
CAUTION - The EPA warns that prolonged contact with used engine oil may
cause a number of skin disorders, incl uding cancer! You should make every
effort to minimize your exposure to used engine oil. Pr otective gloves should be
worn when changing the oil. Wash y our hands and any other exposed skin
areas as soon as possible after exposure to used engine oil. Soap and water, or
waterless hand cleaner should be used.
EXCEPT 2.5L ENGINE

Fig. 1: Oil pan - 1982-86 V6

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 428
1. Disconnect the battery ground c
able. Drain the cooling system.
2. Remove the fan shroud or the upper radiator support and drive belts.
Remove the fan and pulley from the water pump.
3. Remove the alternator upper and lower brackets, air brace with brackets,
and power steering lower bra cket (move it aside).
4. Remove the radiator lower hose and the heater hose from the water
pump. Remove the water pump bolts and the water pump.
5. If A/C equipped, remove the comp ressor and move aside. Remove the
compressor mounting bracket.
6. Remove the damper pulley retain ing bolt and the damper pulley.
7. Remove the timing gear cover bolts and the timing gear cover.
With the timing gear cover removed, use a large screwdriver to pry the oil seal
from the cover. To install the new oil se al, lubricate it with engine oil and drive it
into place.
To install: 8. Prepare the mating surfaces for reinst allation of the timing gear cover.
Coat the new gasket with RTV sealer.
9. Install the timing gear cover and timing gear cover bolts. Torque the
cover bolts to specifications:
• V6 engines (M8 x 1.25 bolts): 13-22 ft. lbs. (18-30 Nm)
• V6 engines (M10 x 1.5 bolts): 20-35 ft. lbs. (27-48 Nm)
• V8 engines (all bolts): 69-130 inch lbs. (8-14 Nm)
10. Install the damper pulley by pulli ng the damper onto the crankshaft. Use
tool J-23523 or equivalent. Install t he damper pulley retaining bolt and
torque bolts to 67-85 ft lbs. (90-110 Nm).
11. If A/C equipped, install the compressor mounting bracket and
compressor.
12. Install the water pump and the water pump bolts.
13. Install the radiator lower hose and the heater hose to the water pump.
14. Install the alternator upper and lower brackets, air brace with brackets
and the power steering lower bracket.
15. Install the fan and pull ey to the water pump. Inst all the fan shroud or the
upper radiator support and drive belts and adjust.
16. Connect the battery ground cable.
17. Fill the cooling syst em, start the engine and check for leaks.