Hi Sandy,
First of all, you need to be certain that it really is overheating.
One way is to loosen rad cap so pressure does not build up, then drive
around until engine is completely warmed up and to stick a kitchen
thermometer into radiator top tank. It's not unusual to find that the
gauge needle is pretty far to the right yet the water temp leaving the
thermostat is OK. Owners have found themselves worrying unnecessarily
because the gauge needle is not centered.
Retarded spark can lead to overheating. Check that it's to specs (16
degrees @ 1500 is approx - confirm with the sticker on the car) or a
couple of degrees advanced over spec.
Lean fuel mix runs hot too. Look at the spark plugs and judge from
their color.
Are there badges, driving lamps or other fixtures impeding air flow to
radiator?
Does your engine have the correct fan? The yellow plastic fan is said
to pull more air through the radiator than the earlier metal fan.
What is your antifreeze mix? A 50/50 mix doesn't absorb and transfer
heat as well as 30/70.
Brakes dragging? Underinflated tires? Increased rolling resistance for
any reason?
Bob
'72 GT
On Thu, 27 May 2004 22:07:55 -0400 "H. W. \"Sandy\" McCullough"
<hwmccullough@earthlink.net> writes:
> Hey gang,
>
> Well now that the summer is here, my 72 "B" seems to have developed
> an
> aversion to hot weather driving (again). I had thought that with a
> new
> radiator and thermostat the problem would have been cured, but alas
> it has
> not. Here's the situation. In any weather over 85 degrees
> farenheit, the
> engine overheats. In the cool of the evening it runs fine. I have
> replaced
> (as mentioned above) the radiator, thermostat, flushed the enginge,
> replaced
> the coolant, verified that there is good circulation and that the
> water pump
> is pumping. I'm not sure what else to replace / repair.
>
> As usual, thanks in advance for your suggestions.
>
> H. W. "Sandy" McCullough
> 72 "B" (hot blooded)
> 68 "B" (being restored)
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