C1 OVERHEATING

[Joe D.]

I started my 61 for the first time and it is overheating. I took the temp sending unit out and hooked up a differant temp gauge and it show it was running very hot. I replaced the thermosata. The radiator and cap are new. Thanks for the help, Joe

[John H.]

Re: C1 OVERHEATING

Joe -

Is this the first start after a rebuild? Is the car stationary or being driven when it overheats? Which engine and distributor? How do you have the timing set and do you have vacuum advance? What type of fan/clutch and shroud? Is it "puking" coolant out of the overflow hose? Have you compared either gauge reading vs. an I.R. gun "shot" of the radiator hose just above the thermostat housing? Is the cooling system full?

[Joe D.]

Re: C1 OVERHEATING

John, It is the first start after rebuilding. My car is at the restoration shop. I got a call on Friday about the overheating. The shop had tried several things and it is still overheating. It was stationary when it was overheating. It is a 245hp dual quad. I think they were fooling with the timing to see if that helped. I thought I may be able to give them some ieads as to a problem. Thanks for your help, Joe

[William C.]

Re: C1 OVERHEATING

What is the condition of the fan clutch?

[Joe D.]

Re: C1 OVERHEATING

Bill, It is rebuilt. Thanks, Joe

[Ray C.]

Re: C1 OVERHEATING

Hi! Joe

Good to here you are close to finishing your 61. Did you perform a pressure test on the cooling system? My 61 270HP over heated on the first extended run time and I had a crack in the fill neck on the over flow tank. I replaced the tank and it now runs very cool.

Ray

[John H.]

Re: C1 OVERHEATING

If the cooling system is full, timing is properly set, fan/clutch/shroud are properly installed, and the thermostat is working, it shouldn't overheat, although static first-fire on a rebuild generates a little more heat; I always set up a box fan directly in front of the radiator during first-fire to add some more airflow to avoid having to shut it down during cam break-in.