Here are some BIG headache ideas to consider:
1> Have you considered the cooland passages in the block/head? If the
passages are so restricted with build up, crud, chewing gum or whatever
that the cooland can't adequately flow through the block then you are going
to have hot spots and inadequate cooling because the coolant will only be
flowing through the principal passages. Do you hear _deep_ rumbling from
the bowls of your motor arter shutting it down (think of it as severe GI
distress after that pizza & beer assalt on your ulcer). Could be your
coolant being boiled at the hot spots.
2> If your head gaskets aren't the correct ones or aren't installed
correctly then you could be presented with blocked passages as well.
3> If your motor was rebuilt and the rebuilder didn't take the extra time
after hot tanking the block to insure all the water passages were clear of
casting sand or other debris in the block-- again blocked passages.
4> Or perhaps a freeze plug or two were pushed into the block and left
there rather than being pulled out and thrown away-- again same problem.
5> On an easier note, if your motor has a blanket of accumulated
grease/oil, etc from the years of being rode hard and put away wet you are
making it wear a parka in the summer time.
6> Oil is a lubricant and reduces friction. Friction produces heat.
Anything we need to think about here?
7> Sounds like you have done the radiator considerations but remember, the
coolant has to be in the radiator long enough for the heat contained in the
coolant to be transferred to the radiator itself. That's why running
without a thermostat isn't a good idea.
8> Sounds dumb but check to insure your radiator hoses aren't blocked.
I've seen hoses that look good when inspected from the outside but have
delaminated on the inside creating a flap that opens up and blocks the flow
of coolant when trying to circulate, but returns to the interior lining
position of the hose when there is no circulation. Pull the hoses and do a
_careful_ interior inspection for interior delamination.
9> Have you actually checked to see if you have an adequate FLOW of
coolant through the radiator? If not it could point you in the right
direction of the problem.
10> You DO have a header tank on your car, don't you? It's the
"overflow" type looking metal bottle at the front left corner of the
engine bay.
Know what you are going to do this weekend?
Darrell
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