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2003 Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Kit
Air Baffles and Seals
The cooling system uses deflectors, air baffles and air seals to increase cooling system capability.
Deflectors are installed under the vehicle to redirect airflow beneath the vehicle and through the radiator
to increase engine cooling. Air baffles are also used to direct airflow through the radiator and increase
cooling capability. Air seals prevent air from bypassing the radiator and AlC condenser, and prevent
recirculation of hot air for better hot weather cooling and AlC condenser performance.
Water Pump
The water pump is a centrifugal vane impeller type pump. The pump consists of a housing with coolant
inlet and outlet passages and an impeller. The impeller is mounted on the pump shaft and consists of a
series of flat or curved blades or vanes on a flat plate. When the impeller rotates, the coolant between the
vanes is thrown outWard by centrifugal force.
The impeller shaft is supported by one or more sealed bearings. The sealed bearings never need to be
lubricated. Grease cannot leak out, dirt and water cannot get in as long as the seal is not damaged or
worn.·
The purpose of the water pump is to circulate coolant throughout the cooling system. The water pump is
driven by the crankshaft via the drive belt.
Thermostat
The thermostat is a coolant flow control component. It's purpose is to help regulate the operating
temperature of the engine. It utilizes a temperature sensitive wax-pellet element. The element connects to
a valve through a small piston. When the element is heated, it expands and exerts pressure against the
small piston. This pressure forces the valve to open. As the element is cooled, it contracts. This
contraction allows a spring to push the valve closed.
When the coolant temperature is below the rated thermostat opening temperature, the thermostat valve
remains closed. This prevents circulation of the coolant to the radiator and allows the engine to warm up.
After the coolant temperature reaches the rated thermostat opening temperature, the thermostat valve will
open. The coolant is then .allowed to circulate through the thermostat to the radiator where the engine
heat is dissipated to the atmosphere. The thermostat also provides a restriction in the cooling system,
after it has opened. This restriction creates a pressure difference which prevents cavitation at the water
pump and forces coolant to circulate through the engine block.
Engine Oil Cooler
The engine oil cooler is a heat exchanger. It is located inside the left side end tank of the radiator. The
engine oil temperature is controlled by the temperature of the engine coolant that surrounds the oil cooler
in the radiator.
The engine oil pump, pumps the oil through the engine oil cooler line to the oil cooler. The oil then flows
through the cooler where the engine coolant absorbs heat from the oil. The oil is then pumped through
the oil cooler return line, to the oil filter, to the engine block oil system.
Transmission Oil Cooler
The transmission oil cooler is a heat exchanger. It is located inside the right side end tank of the radiator.
The transmission fluid temperature is regulated by the temperature of the engine coolant in the radiator.
The transmission oil pump, pumps the fluid through the transmission oil cooler line to the transmission oil
cooler. The fluid then flows through the cooler where the engine coolant absorbs heat from the fluid. The
fluid is then pumped through the transmission oil cooler return line, to the transmission.
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