Not aware of any real overheating problems, even when in an MGB which does
have problems getting the heat out of the engine bay. I would say if it
doesn't happen in an MGB it won't happen. Short of Death Valley in
gridlock.
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
From: Slim's mail <hmfinc@mindspring.com>
To: BV-8 <mgb-v8@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 3:05 AM
Subject: Heater valve etc
> To all,
>
> My background is British cars and some other imports and have the ASE
> certification as Master + L-1 but I have little experience working on the
> Buick / Olds 215 except rebuilding one 3500 Rover 215 and pulling down one
> Olds 215. I have always heard that the 215 had a history of overheating.
> Others with 215 experience tell me they never seen this. Has anyone out
> there had any real experience with 215 overheating that couldn't be caused
> by the normal things that cause overheating like, radiator problems, lower
> hose collapsing, thermostat not opening or not installed, water pump
> impeller problems, ignition timing, lean carb, intake air leaks, excessive
> carbon buildup in combustion chambers, wrong heat range plugs and a half
> dozen other causes. I read the article Dec. 97 Street Rod and can't see
what
> blocking off a heater port can have to do with coolant circulation unless
> none of the cars that used the 215 had heater valves. If the thermostat
did
> not have a bleed hole or giggle valve and someone did not turn the heater
> valve on or had put a plug in the port then that system would be difficult
> to impossible to get the air out of the system on a fill up from empty.
> As for the article statement of early problems with antifreeze. Could this
> have come from Alcohol based antifreeze left over from the early days? I
> know from experience that alcohol forms a jelly like substance when in
> contact with aluminum. If it does not act as an insulator then it for sure
> will clog a radiator.
>
> I guess what I am wanting to know , Is this history of overheating just a
> lingering "Old wives tale" like "Don't charge a battery on a concrete
> floor"????
>
> Howard
>
>
>
>
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