Re: [FWDLK] er..who said don't trust the temp GAUGE? :-)

["Bill K." <pontiac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Is your water pump working properly? Belts tightened, right size pulleys?

The car's too old for a clutch fan or I would take a look at that.

I've had them overheat sitting because no air could circulate, and I had my
rat car overheat the night I drove it home when it threw all it's belts
(except the stupid air pump for the emissions) - with both the alternator
and power steering belts off, there was nothing to turn the water pump.
This car has an electric fan and I have driven it all winter with it not
working, going to have to put one on it soon.   Driving it at normal speeds
puts enough air through the radiator to keep it cool when it gets warm, but
if it gets over 60' running the heater on max is a necessity.  (hey, it's a
POS-mobile, why spend more than I have to on it?  It only cost me the gas to
tow it home anyhow.)

I've also heard certain brands of rebuilt pumps are known for the impeller
slipping on the shaft, new out of the box.


Bottom line, something must be up for it to overheat when you're idling but
not working the motor.   A shroud would probably help the fan pull air
through the radiator.  No chance of a leaky head gasket or cracked head, I
assume?



Bill K.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Lou" <email4lou@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 10:45 PM
Subject: [FWDLK] er..who said don't trust the temp GAUGE? :-)


> Well, I think my gauge is accurate...
>
> I finally got the wheels and rebuilt brake booster back on the '59  Dodge,
so I took it for its first ride of the year.  when I got back, I let it idle
with a little throttle in the driveway while I swept out the carport, then
the phone rang...
>
> Bottom line, the car idled at about 1200 RPM for about 20 minutes.  temp
outside is 67ish (F)  Temp gauge was pegged at H and I could smell
antifreeze and see some steam.   Just as I was getting in to turn off the
engine, I could hear  it  Whoooosh.  And then the antifreeze started pouring
out of the overflow hose
>
> So....were 1959 cars just not meant to idle that long or do I have a legit
problem?  if this happened at 70 degrees, I hate to think what's going to
happen in August...especially after I install a/c  :-/
>
> Car has a new 4 row radiator, 16lb lever-vent cap, 6 blade fan, 180deg
t-stat.  No fan shroud  installed YET (but it never had one new
either..sooo...think that will make that much of a difference?)
>
> I still wonder if the water jacket is plugged or corroded so much that the
heat transfer is not good enough.
>
> Thoughts?  Buyers?
>
> Lou


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