There should be a sleeve type thermostat fitted to the 6 cylinder cars that
makes the coolant flow through the radiator instead of a portion of it
bypassing. The originals were all sleeve type and I believe Sports Car
Specialists (Nock) in California markets them.
Rich Chrysler
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Snyder" <helyjohn@cablespeed.com>
To: <healeys@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2004 9:32 PM
Subject: Hot Problem
> Hello List,
>
> I have a problem w/ both of my recently restored tri-carb Healeys. One is
a
> BN7 (2500 miles), and the other is a BT7 (1500 miles). Both overheat very
> quickly when idling in neutral. Both had a complete overhaul of the
engines,
> both have new radiator cores (4 staggered rows of tubes, like the factory
> original). I also have an original, unrestored BT7 MK1 (head has never
been
> off, radiator has never been rodded, has over 100,000 miles) that does not
> have this problem. Have owned this car for over 34 years.
>
> Currently working on the BT7. Timing is right on, checked the clearance
> between the water pump impeller and the housing, richened the fuel
mixture.
> Took it for a drive on a deserted road at 30 mph, 4th gear, o'd, 3.54
axle,
> about 1200 rpm. Ran cool, right on the thermostat. Stopped, put in
neutral,
> but kept the engine at 1200 rpm. Started to overheat immediately.
Started
> driving w/ same settings, and trmperature stabilized, and then started to
cool
> down. Clearly the problem is air flow. The car has a standard fan, and I
> really don't want to go to a Texas Cooler as I would like to keep the
engine
> original looking.
>
> Question: Has anyone tried changing the pitch of the fan blades? I am
temped
> to try this, but it could be a really big mistake. Won't try it unless
> someone out there has had success and can tell me just how far to bend
them.
> Maybe this is a Really Dumb Idea, but had to ask.
>
> TIA
>
> John Snyder
|