i`ve got a 67 gs covertable with a 455 , the engine is freash but it overheats , had the heads checked and all ok , the head gasket covers the water holes to the side of the head at the front and the rear , should those holes be clear as the moter seams to develop a huge air lock, any help would be great ... many thanks
When you installed the coolant did you disconnect the top heater hose so the air in the system could escape? Are you using a 4 core radiator that you are sure is free of scale? Radiator schroud in and in the proper location relative to the fan? Is the fan clutch working?
All good advice as usual from Jim I have a couple questions though- Since it's a '67 with a 455, do you use a fan shroud? Did it actually boil over, or does it just seem hot? What temperature do you see (if you have a good gauge) How old is the radiator cap? Is it working properly? Is it the right psi?
all great advice and thanks for the reply, the time difference makes it hard,,, (1) the radiator is a new alunimium 4 core and it has afan shroudthe car runs on about 180 if granny cruzin , if you start drivin it with a bit of gusto it go`s straight to 250 within miniutes gauges are of good quility, but i will try the heater thing when i reassemble this morning, as having a huge air lock is what i think it is! i was worried about there being no holes in the side / rear of the head gasket, i thought that this might restrick water flow and cause cavatation( air lock) of the system, thanks again for your help , a little bit lonly downunder when it comes to help with a buick......: :beer :beer
Radiator--water pump I had a similar problem with my 85 T/A, I originally had my 430 in that. It would overheat like there was no coolant at all. I had a daul 1" core radiator, I swapped it for a Dual 1 1/4" and it over heated worse!!! I had allready gone through the cooling system and replaced everything. I swapped the motor in my Skylark, and I run the stock 350 3 core radiator-- it runs at 160 all day long. I believe the water pump is over powered by the extra water. it cannot push that much water. It would be like trying to drain a pool using the windsheild washer pump.ou: I would also check the pulleys, and make sure you have a good ratio turning your pump. it should be like 1:2 or something. Joe
Check your timing too! Retarded ignition timing will cause overheating too. If you run vacuum advance make sure it actually works.
overheating Hey out there, when you have a problem like this always go back to the basics first.Make sure you have a good thermostat in it that does work(if you have to remove it and check it in a pot of water on the stove do it),ignition timing to advanced will diff make it run more warm(check for stuck advanced weights)or to much base timing.One big thing that most people dont get or realize is that a bigger radiator , to low of a thermostat temp(like 160) or to fast of a waterpump speed(like pulley size changes)will make things worse sometimes.Remember the radiator is a heat dissapater(exchanger)if the coolant goes threw to fast or to often it does not have enough time to extract the heat thus putting the heat right back in the engine.Also check the radiator cap for the correct psi 13-15 holding pressure.If the cap wont hold the boiling point is lower.Good luck. Bryan Fant
:beer thanks guys you have been a great help:grin: :grin: , i`m all smiles again , as i don`t think i`m alone.... i think it might be a combo of all the problems , so i will be aware of this when assembling and hope i get a good result , i have to leave to go over to the U.S on monday , so i will post the results when i get back , many thanks again .... shane
You could take it to a good radiator shop and they should be able to vacume any air bubbles out of the system.I'm running a 455 in an early Skylark with HQ 4 core [aussie car] without a shroud and have'nt ever had a probleme!!
that 64 skylark , sounds cool ,would be a tough animal with a 455 in it jd::jd:.... ,are they smaller than the 67, i`ve got a 64 olds convertable 4.4.2 as well !....:::3gears: should see if you can make it to our next cruz day on the 24th of januray, up at narangba , just north of bris
Goes hard alright ,will be better when I get the rest of the TA stuff into it. I'll get up to your shop at some stage,at the moment laid up after throwing my harley up the road.Will probably bring my 69 SS Camaro 'vert though as the motor will be out of the Skylark. Who do I ask for if I ring the shop? Just got the new Cruzin,thanks for the calender and I'll watch those Saturday dates.
:3gears: just ask for shane :beer , the cindy part is my wife , in the QLD street car mag cindy`s mustang is the centre pullout , :TU: cars and bikes are at our cruz , there are trophies for both:3gears:
Just a thought here, I know it sounds stupid, but your fan may be installed backwards. It probably isn't, but that's the last thing we think of.:Smarty:
Re: overheating Umm no. The opposite is true though. And checking timing is easier than pulling the radiator or thermostat. See links http://www.lotuselancentral.com/thermostat.htm http://www.airtexproducts.com/technicians/coolingsystems/troublebasics.html http://www.mcinter-tl.com/faq/010faq01.html
