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'58 Plymouth overheating
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Chrome58
Posted 2018-08-03 7:13 AM (#567717)
Subject: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
Hi everyone,

My '58 Plymouth overheats in about 5 to 10 mile in normal traffic (max speed of 50 mph).
After that the temp gauge stays a little bit (not much) under the maximum mark.
If the weather is hot, or if I'm in heavier traffic, it might even let some cooling fluid out from the overheating bypass on the radiator.
It always did overheat, since the restoration was done, 2 years ago.

Now for some hard data :
- my engine is a 1958 standard 318 V8 that was fitted with the dual quad carbs and the corresponding camshaft
- it was internally rebuilt by a mechanic
- I had some hard time starting the engine after restoration, as it was very (and I mean very) sensitive on the dissy position (and I never understood why)
- The actual advance is unknown, since I don't have degree positions on the crankshaft pulley
- The spark plugs are Champion RJ12YC
- The radiator was cleaned and tested by a professional, although that was 8 years ago
- I run a standard modern cooling fluid
- Upon rebuilding the engine, I found a great deal of rust behind the freeze plugs. That rust was vacuumed out at the time.
- My cooling circuit runs without a thermostat, but I warn you that I'm scientifically convinced this is not the culprit.

Since then, here's what I've done :
- Checked my spark plugs : they are covered with black soot, and that would indicate too rich a mixture, but I don't believe this is related
- Reverse flushed the radiator : there was some rust dust in it and some traces of scale, although nothing major.
- Reverse flushed the engine block : nothing, clear liquid (but I did not open the lower drain bolts)
- Replace the water pump with a high flow Flowkooler one
- Improved the belt tension
- I dit find some rust in both hoses from the pump to the radiator (dust in the upper hose, small to medium specks in the lower hose)

I made a video showing the cooling fluid in the upper part of the radiator : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGINdjK9t4
It does not show a lot of movement, so I'm thinking something is obstructing the flow.

What would you advise ?

Thanks.

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Powerflite
Posted 2018-08-03 6:17 PM (#567746 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Sounds like your problem is marginal. So you need to just improve it a little to make it work well.

1. install a fan shroud
2. move fan closer to radiator (if possible)
3. Bigger radiator if the above doesn't work.
4. Overflow tank

Also, the water doesn't seem to be moving very much as you stated. It is possible that the left side of your radiator is partially plugged so that all the flow is going toward the right side. Get an infrared thermometer to test how hot each part of the radiator is and see if there is a cold spot somewhere. If you find one, the radiator is likely partially plugged up. You can also try squeezing the upper hose to see if the flow changes at all. If not, there is definitely a significant blockage, or the vanes on the pump are not working properly.

Did they degree in your camshaft when you had the motor rebuilt? If not, it is possible that your cam is advanced, causing some overheating issues and difficult timing issues.
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Chrome58
Posted 2018-08-04 5:23 AM (#567786 - in reply to #567746)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
Hi Nathan,

Thanks for your answers.

When I squeeze the upper hose, nothing happens on the flow of the cooling liquid (which moves slowly from right to left when looking from the front). I also think about a radiator obstruction, although I reverse flushed it (but with low pressure water). I do have an infrared thermometer, I'll do the temperature mapping as soon as I can.

In the meantime, I checked my timing. I placed on the pulley ink marks at 10° and 20° as best as I could (accuracy not fully guaranteed but still).
At idle, I'm exactly on the 10° mark. At higher rpm it moves to 20° and upward ...

The FSM says it should be 10° for a regular 318, and 8° for the dual quad Fury. That is where the hybrid status of my engine kicks in. Because I do not have the heads of a true V800 engine, therefore my compression ratio is 9.0:1 instead of 9.25:1. But I do have the correct camshaft. So the question is : what is the correct advance timing ?
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57chizler
Posted 2018-08-04 1:55 PM (#567797 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Have you used any other gauge besides the factory installed gauge to compare the temperature readings?

Since you're "scientifically convinced" that the absence of a thermostat is not the culprit, I won't suggest installing one just to see.
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Chrome58
Posted 2018-08-05 6:39 AM (#567820 - in reply to #567797)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
OK, I did a temperature map of my radiator with an infrared thermometer, after a 15 minutes run.
The TEMP gauge in the dash cluster was showing just below max temperature.

The water outlet at the intake manifold was at 207° F.
The water outlet (metal) at the lower radiator was at 204° F, although the hose itself was much cooler than that (at about 185° F)

The engine side map seems to show a pattern, but I can't make anything of the front map.

Edited by Chrome58 2018-08-05 11:47 AM




(Cooling temp.png)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Cooling temp.png (13KB - 455 downloads)
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58coupe
Posted 2018-08-05 11:55 AM (#567833 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Years ago I had a 57 Fury that I installed a 60 361HP in. I used a stock big block radiator and at first removed the thermostat because of a mismatch between the temp. gauge and sender (thought it was overheating). I could idle all day in hot weather and it would never run hot but 15 minutes at highway speed and it would overheat. Tried everything, rad. was so clean inside it was shiny brass, finally reinstalled the thermostat and problem immediately ended. Have heard various theories through the years, pump cavitation, water flowing through the heads too fast to transfer the heat, whatever the reason, I am sure it overheated without the thermostat and not with it installed. Sorry for the long story. From your heat diagram, if you are sure your rad. is not partially plugged, maybe the water is flowing through too fast to transfer the heat? What would it hurt to install the thermostat and try it?
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Chrome58
Posted 2018-08-05 12:15 PM (#567834 - in reply to #567833)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
Of course it won't hurt to try a thermostat.
And I'm even willing to do it, for the sake of trying everything.

But it does not make sense.
The thermostat has only one purpose : keep the cooling circuit closed at startup to better heat up the engine.
And after a certain temperature, it opens so the fluid can be cooled by the radiator. And that's it.

I've read and heard theories about the fluid speed, and the fact that it would be slowed down by a thermostat, thus insuring a better cooling.
But that's bulls**t. Because the engine needs for cooling are measured by a capacity of the fluid to absorb calories.
And in the end, a lot of hotter fluid is way better than less cooler fluid, because the total of calories absorbed is bigger.
It's Physics 101.

But don"t take my words for it : https://www.flowkoolerwaterpumps.com/blogs/cooling-resources/doesnt-...
And if you want to skip the long read : "Simply put, you have a far better chance of keeping your cool with greater flow rate
through your heat exchanger and exiting the system than holding it in your heat exchanger while generating heat in your engine block.
"

But please, let's not hijack this thread to make a pro vs con thermostat issue. I'll try the thermostat, I promise
Let's stay on track.

Edited by Chrome58 2018-08-05 12:22 PM
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57chizler
Posted 2018-08-05 4:43 PM (#567846 - in reply to #567834)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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At the risk of starting an ugly battle, infrared thermometers are less reliable than a contact thermometer, the surface being scanned will affect the readings.

And, you can quote all the blogs in existence, but the debate about the thermostat's purpose and the effectiveness of flow rate will continue based solely on anecdotal experience and fake science. IOW, both sides will claim their side is supported by Physics 101. Try a thermostat, then you'll know for sure.

And finally, 204° F is not "overheating".
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58coupe
Posted 2018-08-06 1:32 AM (#567889 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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I didn't want to start a fight but I KNOW for a fact my engine overheated at highway speed without a thermostat and never did again with it installed. Now you try to explain it with your science and flow rates to a person who is college educated and has been a mechanic for over 50 years. You may call it anecdotal but if it barks like a dog, wags its tail like a dog, and looks like a dog, I call it a dog.
I don't want to hijack your thread but you said you have tried everything else and you asked for suggestions.
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ttotired
Posted 2018-08-06 4:57 PM (#567936 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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"But it does not make sense.
The thermostat has only one purpose : keep the cooling circuit closed at startup to better heat up the engine.
And after a certain temperature, it opens so the fluid can be cooled by the radiator. And that's it."

It makes perfect sense. It works exactly as you said except for 2 missing parts. First, once fully open, it still is a restriction to coolant flow and secondly, it
works on a thermal spring which regulates coolant flow to the temperature, so it not open "and that's it" , it actually opens and closes a little depending on
whats going on with the temperature of the coolant.

The coolant needs time to absorb the heat from the engine and time to dissipate that heat to the radiator and then to the air, this is why the thermostat is a
restriction, to slow the coolant even at fully open. Some coolants work better than others (comparing water to general coolant) but normally in an original
cooling system, overheating is caused by a severe blockage (stuck thermostat, sucked in hoses, debris/rust blocking radiator cores) water pump not
working (impeller fallen off/blades rusted off, not spinning) no air flow (self explanatory) over stressed engine components (high power use for sustained periods or
high performance use) or the classic, no or low coolant

The old trick of removing the thermostat to stop a car overheating normally simply means the system is severely blocked or the water pumps had it
and removing the thermostat has allowed a bit more coolant to flow, which at highway speeds, then becomes to much and the coolant doesn't get time to pick up and dissipate the heat

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58Jackie
Posted 2018-08-07 12:56 AM (#567957 - in reply to #567936)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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It may also have to do with the radiator too. If yours is the stock 2 core; 2 cores have a tendency to get hot. If you think about replacing it (not saying you should), I'd go with a 3 or a 4 core radiator. Your motor will run under 200 all day long. If they can cool a big block, they'll for sure cool that 318.

Also, I know some don't like flex fans for the added wind noise, but what is the great thing about them is they flex when your speed and RPM increases, doing so, allowing more air flow to be directed at the motor. More air = cooler motor.
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1960fury
Posted 2018-08-07 8:31 AM (#567974 - in reply to #567957)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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58Jackie - 2018-08-07 12:56 AM



Also, I know some don't like flex fans for the added wind noise, but what is the great thing about them is they flex when your speed and RPM increases, doing so, allowing more air flow to be directed at the motor. More air = cooler motor.


That is not the purpose of a flex-fan and that is not what they do and you can't cool a water-cooled engine that way. Solely the water (radiator) cools the engine.
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HemiSportFury
Posted 2018-08-07 6:47 PM (#568014 - in reply to #567974)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating


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If your temp map of the radiator is close to accurate, it looks like the middle-right side is plugged. Time to take it to a radiator shop to have it cleaned.
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sermey
Posted 2018-08-08 5:45 AM (#568050 - in reply to #567746)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating


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As Nathan (Powerflite) stated: 1. install a fan shroud

This link may give you an idea:

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=23691&start=189

Good Luck!  - SERGE - 

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Chrome58
Posted 2018-08-15 4:37 AM (#568455 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
Thanks for all your suggestions.

At first, I think I'll flush again the radiator, this time out of the car, because it looks indeed like there's some blockage.
Secondly, I'll drain the lower part of the engine block, opening the two screw plugs.

And, I'll try with the thermostat, that's a promise
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soiouz
Posted 2018-08-16 2:57 PM (#568530 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Put me on the list of thermostat experience.
Had the same problems you describe with my 58 Plymouth (383 with 2 x 4 barrels). What solved the problems? Thermostat.


I had tried a lot of things, and none worked. Then I installed a high-flow thermostat and voila!
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Stroller
Posted 2018-10-20 1:13 PM (#572049 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating


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I learned a long time ago about the only time you should take out the thermostat is when your racing. As far as I'm concerned the factory engine designers are pretty smart and every engine builder after market puts in a thermostat. To purposely remove the facoty intent is to alter intended means of operation. Ok engine rebuilt or just cleaned up? What about the heater core? Was it boiled out or replace? The same gunky rust you found hiding in the coolant galleys is stuck in the heater core. Rememer it shares the same water the engine and the big out front radiator use. And again a removed radiator shroud? The shroud condenses and forces the concentrated air flow through the radiator. If nothing else just put on a set of electric fans.
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Chrome58
Posted 2018-10-24 3:44 AM (#572261 - in reply to #572049)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
Stroller - 2018-10-20 7:13 PM

And again a removed radiator shroud?

There are no factory shroud on a '58 Plymouth.
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Chrome58
Posted 2018-10-24 3:49 AM (#572262 - in reply to #572049)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
Stroller - 2018-10-20 7:13 PM

And again a removed radiator shroud?

There are no factory shroud on a '58 Plymouth.
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local2Ed
Posted 2018-10-26 12:58 PM (#572405 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating


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Check your cooling specs in your FSM.
I took for granted one of my cars should use a 180* thermostat and ran one for several years.
I happened to catch in the cooling specs that the thermostat "starts to open at 157* and is fully open at 180*".
I switched to a 160* thermostat and it shows it running cooler on the factory gauge.
I verified the start to open temps as the temps stamped on the thermostats and fully open was +20* .
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local2Ed
Posted 2018-10-28 10:37 PM (#572539 - in reply to #572405)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating


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local2Ed - 2018-10-26 12:58 PM

Check your cooling specs in your FSM.
I took for granted one of my cars should use a 180* thermostat and ran one for several years.
I happened to catch in the cooling specs that the thermostat "starts to open at 157* and is fully open at 180*".
I switched to a 160* thermostat and it shows it running cooler on the factory gauge.
I verified the start to open temps as the temps stamped on the thermostats and fully open was +20* .



Correction- Make that "fully open at 190*"
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Mike M
Posted 2019-03-20 9:51 AM (#579581 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Did you have your radiator flow tested?
Also did you have it rodded? That means having both the top and bottom tanks removed and a metal rod run through each cooling tube.
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59ride
Posted 2019-04-02 10:19 AM (#580287 - in reply to #567717)
Subject: RE: '58 Plymouth overheating



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I had the same problem with my 59 Firesweep.After doing the same radiator rodding & changing theromos the problem persisted. I bought a can of Thermo Cure on line ,followed the instructions & drained the radiator after 3 days of driving around.I had replaced the block drain plugs with pep**** valves when I rebuilt the engine so I drained the block also .The amount of rust that came out of that engine was amazing. The car has never over heated after that was done.
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Chrome58
Posted 2019-04-25 1:24 PM (#581350 - in reply to #579581)
Subject: Re: '58 Plymouth overheating



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Mike M - 2019-03-20 3:51 PM

Did you have your radiator flow tested?
Also did you have it rodded? That means having both the top and bottom tanks removed and a metal rod run through each cooling tube.

I just tested it myself this weekend using the FSM procedure (fill it, release the bottom and it should make a 6 inches water surge at the bottom), after I cleaned it and left vinegar to soak for a full night.
Well, it failed miserably. I got less than half an inch ! ... So I have decided to have it re-cored.


59ride - 2019-04-02 4:19 PM

I had the same problem with my 59 Firesweep.After doing the same radiator rodding & changing theromos the problem persisted. I bought a can of Thermo Cure on line ,followed the instructions & drained the radiator after 3 days of driving around.I had replaced the block drain plugs with pep**** valves when I rebuilt the engine so I drained the block also .The amount of rust that came out of that engine was amazing. The car has never over heated after that was done. (O)

I did that also.
Opened the lower drains to purge and clean the block.
An awful lot of rust came out (chips and dust combined).
The liquid came out black on the first purge ...
I did a total of 12 (!) purges before it finally came clear.




Edited by Chrome58 2019-04-25 1:30 PM
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