John wrote:
>Today I pulled the thermostat (it's a 160 deg), and tested it on the
>stove. It
>fully opens and closes, but it appears to "shudder" or step as it opens. It
>also looks like the bi-metallic piston is off center so I'm off to the parts
>store to get a $5.00 cheapy - this time a 185 deg. If the thermostat change
>doesn't cure the overheating the cause is either the radiator or a
>blockage in
>the block/head.
===============
John,
Try to find a replacement thermostat that has a large opening when it
opens. Somewhere someone once noted that the modern "happens to fit in the
hole" replacement has a much smaller opening and that when a unit was found
witha larger opening his cooling problems were greatly reduced. As I recall
it involved reducing the outer diameter (via a grinding wheel) of a
thermostat from an Australian Nissan until it suited but there is no doubt
some similar North American solution.
Also don't underestimate the benefit of flushing the rad with a garden
hose. Sometimes a surprising amount of stuff comes out and even if it
doesn't help your cooling problem, you feel better, and it was free.
Regards,
Jim
TS81417LO
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