Overheating

[Jay290]

Ok here it is last week I was pulling my camper home in my 83 and water pump went south and blew a head gasket. Well I put new head gaskets on it and new water pump let it run for about 30 min. with the a.c. going before i drove it. Drove it for about 3 miles and the temp shot up to about 235-240. It has a 180 t-stat in it (new) What else can I try to get this temp prob fixed?

[TIM86]

Fan clutch (just had this go out on me), Radiator hose collapsing?

[Jay290]

Makes sense the faster the motor turns it starts cooling. I have not checked the hose to see if collapsing. I just let it run for about fifteen mins and it got up to 205 with the A.C. on just idling in the drive way.

[VegasBruce]

New stat may be bad, did you test it first? Its a common problem.

[Jay290]

Really well I will pull it out and test it.

[Jay290]

Now i looked at the heads real good and did not see any cracks, will that cause it to overheat?

[Hevy]

Air in cooling system...

[67_SS396]

Originally Posted by Hevy

Air in cooling system...

I second that. It's probably due to an air bubble.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Originally Posted by 67_SS396

I second that. It's probably due to an air bubble.
Posted via Mobile Device

I was thinking the same thing or that your new tstat is possibly bad. I would also check a the fan clutch out as well before you start pulling your hair out haha.

[Jay290]

Ok pulled the t-stat out this morning and boiled it 180 it opened. Also flushed the radiator real good this morning. left the t-stat out for now untill I get the problem curred. Ok I got the temp down to about 210-215 with no t-stat. The fan still has resistance when you turn it by hand. Will being out of time cause it to run hot like this...I may have been a tooth off on the dist.

[TIM86]

Don't trust the fan. My fan hhad plenty of resistance but the clutch was still bad.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Jay290]

Well I guess it wont hurt to put a new one on it.

[Jay290]

Well I think its the clutch I stuck a thin peice of cardboard in it and it stoped so off to the parts house to cure the problem.

[tucsonjwt]

For something as important as the fan clutch, I went with AC/Delco - but it was about $110. All the mechanics and A/C repairmen I talked with said to stick with AC/Delco and stay away from aftermarket due to quality issues.

[67_SS396]

Put the thermostat back in while you're at it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[lilpoindexter]

I don't have a fan clutch in my '78 and it sounds like an airplane taking off when i drive it from the fan noise...but I don't want to risk a fan clutch screwing me like this.

[Jay290]

Yah I have to wait untill tuesday untill i get paid again so I will keep ya'll informed

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

I don't have a fan clutch in my '78 and it sounds like an airplane taking off when i drive it from the fan noise...but I don't want to risk a fan clutch screwing me like this.

There is no point in putting up with that. The factory clutch fans can and will go hundreds of thousands of miles. There are far more reported "issues" with aftermarket flex-fans than with the stock stuff.

[lilpoindexter]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

There is no point in putting up with that. The factory clutch fans can and will go hundreds of thousands of miles. There are far more reported "issues" with aftermarket flex-fans than with the stock stuff.

Ok...I just looked up the Hayden fan clutch to fit my application...not sure if I'll get it from kragen or summit... It's gonna be nice to not sound like a bi wing airplane when I get on the freeway.

[67_SS396]

I agree with longhair, unless you go to an electric fan, run the tried and true clutch fan. They are very reliable and efficient, compared to the alternatives.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Jay290]

Well put in a new clutch this morning and t-stat (180) sitting in the driveway it was about 195 got it out on the highway and it jumped to 230 after about 5 miles. So the only other thing I know is to put a new radiator in it. So $250 and it should be here at 4:30.

[Hevy]

Are you positive you got all of the air out of the cooling system????

[partsstoreguy]

I own a parts store and i can not count the number of times people come in thinking their can clutch or themostat is bad when it turns out it is just a air bubble.

[rwhit57]

Originally Posted by Jay290

Well put in a new clutch this morning and t-stat (180) sitting in the driveway it was about 195 got it out on the highway and it jumped to 230 after about 5 miles. So the only other thing I know is to put a new radiator in it. So $250 and it should be here at 4:30.

I think its still a head or gasket issue. if the radiator doesn't fix it, I hope it does, throw a can of Barsleak in it and see if cools down a little if it does you know then.

[LONGHAIR]

Oh no, not that gunk, all it does is clog things up, making it worse. If you really suspect a gasket or block/head crack, there are tests that can show that (one way or the other).
In general, low speed overheating is an air-flow issue, and high speed overheating is a coolant flow issue. It takes a bit more digging to pin it down after that though.
The air-flow can be from blocked fins in the radiator, improper fan, poorly fitting shroud (or missing), etc.
The coolant flow problems include, blocked tubes in the radiator, rust/scale build-up inside the block/heads, air bubbles, kinked or collapsing hoses, etc.