Overheating
 

Ever since I bought my car over 6 months it has had overheating problems. We've changed a few things on it, and it has slowly improved, but it's still bad. :( I just took it to the shop this morning for a blown head gasket. :( I'm becoming good friends w/ the mechanice there. He owns a '67. He says he doesn't believe it's too bad, meaning the engine doesn't need to be rebuilt/replaced. When we first bought the car the guy put the cam shaft on backwards and broke the cover, we had the car for 3 days and the engine blew. So, we bought a rebuilt engine taken from a van, and we blew a head gasket, from overheating. Anyways, when I was doing my oil change I noticed there was water in the oil pan. BAD SIGN!!! hehe Goodness, this is turning out to be long, I must be rambling. = P So I called and he said to bring it in on Monday.


Back to the main topic, does anyone have any sugestions on what I could do?

Got a big radiator, I believe 6.
New water pump.
New tubes.

After that it was very happy. Then we got a short under the dash and we sudenly started having overheating probs again.

So, we ordered a new fan blade (7 blades) and a shroud. I could have ordered one that was beeper. I couldn't afford it though.

Anywho, I'm hoping after all that it stops.

If not, other than only driving at night, does anyone have any sugestions? :confused:


Thanks a lot, in advance. :)

Well, where to begin? It sounds like you had several problems contributing to your overheating problem, but it sounds like you have taken care of them. If it didn't have a fan shroud before, that will make a HUGE difference. Other than that, I don't see any other problems that haven't been covered, other than a new thermostat, but I'm sure a new one was installed with your rebuild. The only other part you might want to replace is the radiator cap. If it doesn't hold the pressure it's supposed to, it will lower the boiling point of the coolant/water, and permit the cooling system to boilover too soon. That reminds me, your coolant mixture is very important, too. I'm not far from you, and I know the kind of weather you are used to. That being said, you shouldn't use more than half of a gallon of coolant in your radiator, and the rest water. Coolant actually makes the engine run hotter. If you plan on driving up to the snow for a few nights next winter, increase it to full gallon of coolant just before you go up, but until then, your mixture in the cooling system should be almost entirely water.

Trust me (have I ever lied to you before???).

:)

Take care,
~Chris



BTW, nice "interests". :D

K, fan shrouds funnel the air, I understand that. But what I don't understand is why they make such a difference.
I would have ordered one long ago, except I've been hoping to find one in a pick a part yard, no luck, so I ordered it on Sunday. Can't wait for it to get here. = )

The mechanic in Bakersfield who worked on it once told me I could also get a 5 or 6 bladed fan blade (I don't remember the number right now, I knew it when I ordered it hehe) He told me it would help w/ my overheating problem, which is my main concern, but he also said it will slow my car down. Take away power. How much of a difference do you think it'll make?

Yes, it has a new thermostat, and I've been told it's working.

I've been wondering about that. My radiator cap is too low. But everytime I talk to a mechanic, or Kregen, they tell me it's better to keep the low one. Something about if I put a stronger one on it won't let it blow steam. I think that's what they told me.

Oh, another question for you, why would the radiator water look like rust if it's a new radiator, and new engine? Only ran it for maybe a month before I noticed it wasn't right.

As for the water, that makes plenty sense. The fluid's there so it doesn't freeze. We don't often get freezing temperatures in LA. hehe :) I didn't know coolant makes an engine run hotter, but again, I guess it makes sence. It's supposed to keep things from freezing.

hehe Have you ever lied to me before? I'd have to say no. = P

Thanks a lot!!! :)

hehe Thanks.


What did u find most interesting about it? = P

The fans job is to suck air through the radiator when the vehicle is not travelling fast enough to do it naturally, which is roughly at speeds below 20 mph. Simply putting a fan behind the radiator isn't enough by itself. The fan will draw in air from the point of least resistance, which means the majority of the air it will move will be from underneath the car, and it won't go through the radiator at all, or minimally at best. When installed correctly (with the fan half in and half out, if viewing it from the side), the shroud makes it so that the only place the fan can get any air is through the radiator. If it makes it any easier to understand, think of it reversed; if the fan was blowing forward, where would the air go? Without a shroud, it would hit the radiator, and deflect everywhere else, but with a shroud, it would have to go through the radiator. Air moving through the radiator takes the heat with it, and allows the newly cooled water to re-enter the engine so that it can transfer some more of the heat from the block to itself, and go back to the radiator to do it all over again.

Don't worry about it right now. If it still overheats, something else is wrong. You also could have him install what's called a "pusher fan" in front of the radiator. It's an electric fan that is thermostatically controlled, and only comes on when you get too hot.

When you get it back, start it up and let it idle. Every few minutes, feel the upper radiator hose with your hand. It will slowly get warm, then rather suddenly get hot. That means your t-stat is opening. This should happen within 10 minutes of idling. If it doesn't, have someone install a new 180 degree t-stat, preferably bought at Ford (their t-stats are MUCH better than Pep Boys).

Go to an auto parts store, and buy a Stant LeverVent(something like that) 16 pound radiator cap. It will have a red lever on top of it to release the pressure without burning your hands. Put it on, and ignore anyone that tells you differently.

Because they either didn't flush out the block, or because the heater was turned on.

For the record, I still haven't.

:)

Take care,
~Chris

ALL of them. :D

One more thing... where in L.A.?

K, I think I'm understanding. Makes sence. = )

One more thing regarding the shroud. You're telling me it's mainly for slower speeds, like 20mph. I only over heats going say 80+mph. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but it over heats on "The Grape Vine". If you haven't heard of it, it's the freeway you'd take to get from LA to Bakersfield and back. It has some VERY large hills. The first one, leaving Bakersfield is killer. That's where we generally overheat, going up it. If we make it to the top before it overheats we're good the rest of the way home. The downhills cool it down. We generally don't make it, and we go @ 2am or so.

Aywho, what I was wondering, sine you say it's for more like 20mph, and I'm doing more like 70-80 on the hills it will still help?

BTW, I think UPS dropped it off this morning. I haven't opened the box yet, I'll go now. = )

Shroud looks rather small. Blades were backordered, so not here yet.
hmmmmmm. Ok, I'll look into that.

Technically I could install blades myself. :)
I've done it before, and I could do it again.
I helped rebuild an engine once. Actually, my fiance I did it and the guy told us what to do.

So even if I do sound like an idiot who doesn't know what she's doing, I do know quite a bit. :p
K, I'll do that. :)

hehe k :)
No heater. Turns out it wasn't a "new" radiator. Just rebuild and painted. It wasn't like that in the beginning. We put some no rust stuff into it.
That's good to hear, thanks!
Thanks, you too! = )

hehe ok = P

I believe about an hour (+/-) from you.

Toluca Lake, next to Burbank and North Hollywood. About a mile from Universal Studios.

My Dad used to be a minister in Sherman Oaks, and one of the families in the church that were good friends, live in Toluca Lake (right down the street from Bob Hope). We used to go there every year for a Christmas party (I lived in Van Nuys from '78~'85).

I know the Grapevine well. You still need the fan shroud, but you would be wise to save up a few bucks and invest in a NEW, oversized radiator. Your "rebuilt" one sucks, no offense.

Everything else still stands, though (get a new cap, etc.).

Take care,
~Chris

I've been told that his house is near here, I just don't know where it is. = P
That's cool about your dad, and the parties! :)

Don't it suck. :D hehe
K, it's going on as soon as I get a chance. Car's in shop for the head gasket, eletctrical, and alternator bolt probs. Should get it back by Thursday.
I don't know how to put it on, maybe I should take it to the shop and have them do it.
hmmmmm, maybe I will then. Not working right now, so it'll have to wait. :(
hehe no problem.
K :)
Thanks, you too!
Thanks a lot for your help, you've been great! :)
I don't sound like too much of an idiot, do I? :D

Not at all. Besides, an idiot never would have listed reading as an interest.

:)

Take care,
~Chris

You (and your fiance) should come out to Ventura Raceway and watch us race sometime! We're racing down in Perris (near San Diego) this weekend, but we'll be back in Ventura August 31. Check out my website to see what I'm talking about.

Take care,
~Chris

hehe K, good to hear. Cuz I was wondering. I try my best not to be too much of an idiot. I don't wanna be one of those chicks that know nothing about their car. And I guess, I'm already not that. I know a little, but not enough. Everytime I think I know something, I realize that I just have an idea of it. I'm always picking up Earle's car magazines and reading them. What I really enjoy reading though, is sci-fi books. Or ummm, I'm not sure what they're called, boks w/ whitches, and dragons. errr I can't think of the word. It's on the tip of my toung.

hmmmm, maybe we'll do that. Only if my car's running though. I have plans the weekend before that and this weekend. Other than that my weekends are free. I haven't gone to a race in a while. The last race I went to was just street racing in Bakersfield and that was a while ago.

Sounds like fantasy to me, but that's a whole different story. LOL.

:D

Take care,
~Chris

Hehehe, we race a 700 hp Sprint car on a 1/5th mile dirt oval. If you have a fast internet connection, and can view Quicktime movies, click on the link in my sig that says Sprint Car Movie (or whatever it says). It's a little vid I put together of racing clips. It's pretty cool, and just over 1 minute long.

Take care,
~Chris

Fantasy, hmmm, yeah. hehe IF you're into that kind of reading you should check out "The Wheel of Time" by Robert Jordan. I loved it. So did most of my friends. I believe everyone in my group of friends in Bakersfield has owned or at least read one of the books. They're great!!! They're kinda slow though.

Anyways. :D


God, I'm bored!!!

Oh... reading... yeah, okay. I'll remember that one.

:)

Take care,
~Chris

hmmmmm, ok. = )




Tried it, my quick time won't work. I'll try later, when I wake up, after I go to sleep. = P

Hehehe. About 5 years ago, I drove my F150, with 2 adults, 3 teenage kids, a bed full of camping gear, and a full size refrigerator, standing upright, up and over the Grapevine. All with a 300ci inline six cylinder. Not a single problem. That is one tough engine! never had to shift lower than 4th gear, either!

I see dead vehicles on the side of the road everytime I drive it, though!

Take care,
~Chris

Fantasy

yes the wheel of time is a great series, I just hope he finishes it before he croaks!! Another good series like it is the sword of truth. there is a bit more action in it and it is a bit faster paced.

Mike

RE Robert Jordan
 

A guy I used to work with went to a book signing in Charleston, SC. He said Jordan stated that he planned 14 books. I'm terrified he's gonna croak before finishing it. I started in 1990, by the time a new book comes out I've forgotten what's happening.

If you're into this stuf look into The Belgerad and Mallorean series by David Eddings. Good stuff and he finished 'em:D

Ya, I bet everyone's wishing that. God it would SOOOOO suck if it didn't get finished. I've never heard of that one. I should go check and see if he's finished any since the last one I read, while I'm there I'll look into that one, sounds cool.

rrrrrrr You suck!!! j/k :D

hehe :D :) :p

Re: RE Robert Jordan
 

It really would suck if he doesn't finish. :mad:
hmmmm, ok, next time I go to a book store I'll look fr them. Thnx! :D

If anyone cares, the shop sent my heads to a head shop to see if they're cracked. I'm calling back tonight to see if they are. *crosses fingers, hopes they aren't* At least the block's ok.

I don't know if he has had a chance to work on the other things. (Alternator bolt needed replacing, and there was another short somewhere.)

You should at least have the heads sufaced. What that does is mill tiny amounts of metal from the surface that contacts the block, that way it's absolutely "yrue", and will help prevent future head gasket failures.

Take care,
~Chris

Of course, unless she's a real dog.

:)

Take care,
~Chris

You're horrible. = P

hmmmmm, ok. I'll talk to Mike about that in the morning. I just hope it won't be too late. I didn't get a chance to talk to him this evening, so I don't know what's up. They were new heads.

Chris-

Do you think having a worn out fan clutch would cause an overheating problem, and would 160* Thermo work better if your having an overheating problem?

Rustang Girl-

Do you ever go out to Famosa? Do you know if they're known for having a crappy track staff? Last time i was there they had canceled the event, before that they had a bump in the track and took 3 hours to fix, and then decided not to run finals for another 2 hours


steven

In case you're ganna ask, yes it's a new fan clutch.
Yes, it has a very bad rep. Bakersfield Street racing hates the place, poor track conditions, and they aren't treated seriously by the others using the track "professionals" and the staff. I haven't personally been to Famosa, but that's what the serious racers of Bakersfield Street Racing are saying. http://bakersfieldstreetracing.com/

We're planning on going there, I believe it's the 10th of this month. (August, 10 2002) Battle of the Imports I believe.

- UPDATE -
 

Well, I have more news on my car.

Went in the shop Monday, it overheated and blew a head gasket. Well, it urns out, on top of that the block cracked and one of the pistons broke also. So, the engine has to be replaced AGAIN!!!

This will be the 4th engine in this car, the 3rd we've put in! :(

We're on the look out, through friends and anyone else w/ an egein they wanna sale for like $500. The mechanic, could put a $2,000 one in for us. ($500 for the block, and the rest I don't know where it goes, labor?) Anyways, this sucks!!! :mad:

Fiance REALLY wants to get rid of my car now. :mad: I wish there was some kind of engine fairy.

We can't afford to go through engines like this Fiance says it's cuz of his bad luck with cars. I think it's cuz he just doesn't want to pay to do it right. We should have bought the shroud long ago, but he wanted to seee if he could get it cheap. And now that we finally bought it, it's too late, plus he bought the cheapest one he could find. He just doesn't get it!!!

Your overheating woes
 

I was reading though the post and one thing that I noticed you said that you had a brand new rad and a new engine but you still got rust in the radiator. One thing that can cause overheating and rust is your heater core you might want to get that checked out becuase if its pugged or even partially plugged it can give you all kinds of troubles.

Re: Your overheating woes
 

hmmmmmm

Turns out the radiator isn't new, it's ummmm, spraypainted, and recored, or maybe just cleaned out. I don't believe it has a heater, at least I know it doesn't work.

Trouble in Cali
 

I wish we were close to you so we could help you out. Seems like your getting the shaft, bad. 2k for a motor is outrageous! Unless its built up. Do yourself a favor and buy a new radiator, hoses, thermostat, new mechanic, water pump and heater core. Then get it put in and enjoy your car. It does'nt have to be this difficult.
Im not speaking to you from the fence cuz we've been under our hoods a long time. Good luck and let us know if we can help any. And use the net to get good deals on parts.

Re: Trouble in Cali
 

This whole situation is putting me in a very bad mood. I believe I'll lay off for a while. Take a few days off. God, I haven't been in this bad of a mood in a while.

That's funny, me saying I'll take a few days off. I've only been a member for like 4 days. Plus I already have 100+ posts. Bet you're all getting sick of me.

I'll talk to you all when I feel I'm reaady to come back. Thanks a lot for all of your help. You've been great.

Bye for now,

since you need a new motor, there is a guy over here that is selling a '63 289 and a c-4 trans for $500, PM if your intrested ill give you his #, or i might be able to scrounge one up at a local shop, after all its only 2 blocks away :D


steven

Cool. :)