overheat/cool down

[dallastx75208]

While running the temp will go up to 240 and than drop after a couple of min. to about 190/200. I have been reading all the info I can on here. Have a couple of questions.
How do you know if thermostat is in backwards? Would that still allow the car to run with out overheating?
Should I look at a four core radiator? I think it is still the org. radiator.
Would a water pump let it run hot and than the temp go down a little?
I do not know where to start only because it will run hot and than go back down. This can happen while moving or in stop and go.
Have plenty of water. Have one gal of 50/50 antifreez and the rest is water.

[jackb]

stop right where you are and ask yourself if the block has been thoroughly flushed out by removing the core plugs in the past few years....? By you-not a previous owner....! If not, everything beyond now is a crapshoot...

[Mike Van Veghten]

I just had a thermostat fail in my Lark. First one in all my years of driving (lots!)
No normally, it cannot be installed backward. In any case, the bulb goes "down".

A four "row" radiator will help, but unless you have a high compression, hot rod engine, and or are towing, a three row should do you well.
As Jack noted, the block AND radiator may be full of rust/mud residue from years of driving with just water.

Then you need to look at the head gaskets, is one leaking? Do you see bubbles in the top tank with the engine running...at full hot (BE CAREFULL)?
I also run light on anti-freeze, this should help your cause. "Anti-freeze" does not do much in the way of heat transfer...the water does the greater percentage of the work.

Try -
1. new thermostat
2. get some good radiator "flush" and follow the instructions

If that doesn't work -
3. have your radiator properly cleaned
4. have the system pressure tested

Good luck.

Mike

[IMJ]

[Anne F. Goodman]

Another thing David drills a small hole in the thermostat on the flat part allows for air . Anyhow they seem to work better with the small hole drilled. He isn't here right now to explain so I could type it to ya.

Mabel 1949 Champion
Hawk 1957 Silverhawk
Gus 1958 Transtar
The Prez 1955 President State
Blu 1957 Golden Hawk
Daisy 1954 Regal Commander Starlight Coupe
Fresno,Ca

[sweetolbob]

Just another thought but if it is a one time occurrence when you hit highway speed, I'd think thermostat as previously suggested. If it does it in a random fashion, I'd check the gauge, sender and wiring connections before embarking on a massive campaign to revamp the cooling system.

You may also add a can of water wetter to the cooling system to see if it helps. The changes seem to be happening pretty quick for a problem of massive proportions.

JMO

Bob

,

[Eugene]

Hi just a hint on the thermostat the bulb is on the spring side and that side go's down in to the motor, The Hole is to let the air out that can get trapped under the stat it works good and is a good idea, You my have a lazy stat. I would try a new one first. spring down and drill a small hole in the edge not in the middle... Gene,

[Chucks Stude]

You live in Dallas, and the wind has been blowing like crazy.

[Chucks Stude]

Sorry, I am typing from a hospital bed and I didn't get to finish. Before I cleaned up my cooling system I noticed as the wind blew from behind or quartered the car, the temp went up. If the wind was blowing from the front, the temp went down. Time to do the block, and then radiator etc.

[skyway]

"ask yourself if the block has been thoroughly flushed out by removing the core plugs"

A good cleaning of the water jacket is never a bad idea. By the way, this should include polking all around the inside of the water jacket with coat hangers/welding rods/other suitable LONG rods/what have you. Also, a power washer is not a bad idea.

In my experience you will do an initial flush until the drainage runs clear, and then every time you find a new place to run the rod/wire, the draibnage will begin a new run of gunk and rust just like when you began. It is amazing how much "stuff" can be in there, including bits of wire, rod, and sand from the casting process.

[Anne F. Goodman]

Ok Chuck typing from a hospital bed hope everything is ok.

Mabel 1949 Champion
Hawk 1957 Silverhawk
Gus 1958 Transtar
The Prez 1955 President State
Blu 1957 Golden Hawk
Daisy 1954 Regal Commander Starlight Coupe
Fresno,Ca

[dallastx75208]

Core Plug? Where is that? Engine has been flushed along with radiator.

quote:Originally posted by jackb

stop right where you are and ask yourself if the block has been thoroughly flushed out by removing the core plugs in the past few years....? By you-not a previous owner....! If not, everything beyond now is a crapshoot...

[dallastx75208]

Engine was taken apart and inspected. All new gaskets every where. Yes a lot of wind but direction did not matter. I am going to run the car again and put a thermomitor in the radiator and see what temp I get. I do see water flow so I know thermostat is opening.

quote:Originally posted by Chucks Stude

Sorry, I am typing from a hospital bed and I didn't get to finish. Before I cleaned up my cooling system I noticed as the wind blew from behind or quartered the car, the temp went up. If the wind was blowing from the front, the temp went down. Time to do the block, and then radiator etc.

[IMJ]

The core plug is the correct name for what most people call freeze plug. I am not familiar with six cylinders but if your working on a V-8 there are 6(3 on each side of the block). A partial oil flow filter engine uses a disc style plug while a full flow engine uses a cup style type. Additionally, there is a threaded drain plug(pipe thread)on each side near the back of the block. To get to the drain plug on the left side requires removal of the starter. Getting a reading on the water temperature in the radiator(as you plan) would be helpful. If you have access to an infrared digital thermometer a reading at the top and at the bottom of the radiator should show a temp. drop at the bottom if the radiator is functioning properly. When you say the engine was taken apart, do you mean completely? Or was it to fix oil leaks(oil pan, timing cover, rear main seal)? If the heads were taken off that should remove the head gaskets as a culprit. Since you have water flow, the pump is functioning and the thermostat is opening. The temp. the thermostat opens and how fast it opens is still unknown. Hang in there you will get it. Good luck.

regards,

Jay

[jackb]

..unless the core plugs and the rear drain cocks were removed and the block thoroughly cleaned and flushed from the plugs NOT from the radiator alone, you will never correct your hot engine issues...at worst, you will cook the #7 cylinder and probably require a re-boring....and you ask, how do I know this...! lol..as jimjim say: do it right-do it once...!