1959 Overheating Issues
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1959 Overheating Issues
I have a 1959 283, dual carb, power glide setup. After a complete restoration the car has been back in operation for 5 years. Now I am having overheating problems. The temperature gauge will go to 180 and then up to 220 quickly. I have had the radiator cleaned, replaced the thermostat [2 times], replaced the water pump, flushed the engine, removed the gauge and had it checked, [while it was out I put in a manual gauge and it was still getting hot.], and checked the timing. Nothing has helped! Any ideas?
Thanks,
Larry
Thanks,
Larry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
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From: columbus oh
I have a 1959 283, dual carb, power glide setup. After a complete restoration the car has been back in operation for 5 years. Now I am having overheating problems. The temperature gauge will go to 180 and then up to 220 quickly. I have had the radiator cleaned, replaced the thermostat [2 times], replaced the water pump, flushed the engine, removed the gauge and had it checked, [while it was out I put in a manual gauge and it was still getting hot.], and checked the timing. Nothing has helped! Any ideas?
Thanks,
Larry
Thanks,
Larry
this will conform or rule out an internal combustion leak, then go from there.....
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I forgot to mention that i tried that. If this is the same tester that picks up fumes from the radiatior. To make sure it was operating properly the liquid did not change color until i placed it at the back of the car by the exhaust.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,142
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From: crown point in
i never had much luck cleaning a radiator. i go to dewitts and purchase a replacement core. i also have a 59, 270hp and once the radiator was recored i had no problems with driving in 90 plus degree weather. when my radiator was going bad i also could drive a while at 180, but once it got above 180 the temperature rose quickly.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
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From: Conroe Texas
I think that's an important data point, but I'm also curious that this seems to have just started up.
You indicate the car has been back on the road for 5 years and now you have this problem.
Did the car operate normally for those previous 5 years?
How many miles did you cover in those 5 years?
Did you change anything about the car that directly preceded this issue?
It's possible the impellars of your water pump have degraded and you are no longer getting the coolant flow through your system.
You indicate the car has been back on the road for 5 years and now you have this problem.
Did the car operate normally for those previous 5 years?
How many miles did you cover in those 5 years?
Did you change anything about the car that directly preceded this issue?
It's possible the impellars of your water pump have degraded and you are no longer getting the coolant flow through your system.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I think that's an important data point, but I'm also curious that this seems to have just started up.
You indicate the car has been back on the road for 5 years and now you have this problem.
Did the car operate normally for those previous 5 years?
How many miles did you cover in those 5 years?
Did you change anything about the car that directly preceded this issue?
You indicate the car has been back on the road for 5 years and now you have this problem.
Did the car operate normally for those previous 5 years?
How many miles did you cover in those 5 years?
Did you change anything about the car that directly preceded this issue?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Did the car operate normally for those previous 5 years?
YES, IT RAN GREAT
How many miles did you cover in those 5 years?
IT IS A SHOW CAR SO ONLY ABOUT 1500 MILES
Did you change anything about the car that directly preceded this issue?
I HAD A FUEL VENT LINE BREAK ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, DON'T SEE HOW THAT COULD HAVE AFFECTED IT???
It's possible the impellars of your water pump have degraded and you are no longer getting the coolant flow through your system.
I PUT ON A NEW WATER PUMP
THANKS FOR ALL OF THE INPUT!!
YES, IT RAN GREAT
How many miles did you cover in those 5 years?
IT IS A SHOW CAR SO ONLY ABOUT 1500 MILES
Did you change anything about the car that directly preceded this issue?
I HAD A FUEL VENT LINE BREAK ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, DON'T SEE HOW THAT COULD HAVE AFFECTED IT???
It's possible the impellars of your water pump have degraded and you are no longer getting the coolant flow through your system.
I PUT ON A NEW WATER PUMP
THANKS FOR ALL OF THE INPUT!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
check for sticking advance mech.
check lower hose for collapse
if all checks out, radiator is suspect...good luck...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Hi Everyone,
First, thanks for all of your input and help. Second, I finally found out why it is getting hot. Tried everything and nothing worked so tore down the engine. At a previous engine rebuild someone, while removing the freeze plug, left it in the block. After all these years of bouncing around it finally wedged itself at the water pump port and restricted the water from flowing. I am not violent person but if that re-builder was here right now a couple of blows to the knee caps with a tire tool would be justice for all!!
First, thanks for all of your input and help. Second, I finally found out why it is getting hot. Tried everything and nothing worked so tore down the engine. At a previous engine rebuild someone, while removing the freeze plug, left it in the block. After all these years of bouncing around it finally wedged itself at the water pump port and restricted the water from flowing. I am not violent person but if that re-builder was here right now a couple of blows to the knee caps with a tire tool would be justice for all!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
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From: Conroe Texas
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 299
Likes: 6
From: Troy New York
I, too, have a 50-NINER.
It has had overheating problem for years...it would not dissipate any heat it gained in traffic to the point it boiled over. It got progressively worse over the years, and barely driveable. I had replaced the core...many flushes...various thermostats, fans, etc... all to no avail..
UNTIL LAST YEAR when I bought a Dewitts aluminium radiator. Now it runs at about 160 or so and never gets about 180 even on a hot summer day...
If the freeze plug doesn't solve the problem, a Dewitts will..
It has had overheating problem for years...it would not dissipate any heat it gained in traffic to the point it boiled over. It got progressively worse over the years, and barely driveable. I had replaced the core...many flushes...various thermostats, fans, etc... all to no avail..
UNTIL LAST YEAR when I bought a Dewitts aluminium radiator. Now it runs at about 160 or so and never gets about 180 even on a hot summer day...
If the freeze plug doesn't solve the problem, a Dewitts will..
Last edited by BobT59; Nov 2, 2011 at 07:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
What does cleaned mean?, radiators need the tanks removed and rodded out or recored if they have so much corosion that the tubes get too thin, also if the shops find leaking tubes they often solder them shut.
after that it is usually a timing or airflow issue.
