New Engine
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Arlington WA
New Engine
Rebuilt original engine 1976, 350 automatic. New radiator, thermostat (195 degree and installed correctly), new hoses, water pump. Gradually overheats in idle after about ten minutes. Both upper and lower radiator hoses are hard and feel hot. Have not even driven it yet, because of this problem. I have reviewed some over heating threads already, but can't seem to figure out the problem. Any help on this would be great. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 423
From: Seattle Area WA
Is the fan installed correctly? By operating correctly what does that mean. Did you mark a fan blade and see how many times it spins around after you shut the engine off. Do you have the shroud and all the shroud and radiator seals in place too?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Arlington WA
Yes the fan is installed correctly. We did not mark the fan blade to see how many times it spun. We do not have the shroud, but we do have radiator seals in place. Would all this really matter if it is in idle? The radiator hoses feel like they are going to explode. The expand within a matter of 10 minutes and get extremely hot. We removed the thermostat and drilled a 1/8" hole in it to relieve any air pockets. What else besides the fan could be the problem??
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Arlington WA
I just don't think the shroud is the problem. It is designed to channel the cool air when you are driving. We haven't even driven it yet, just started it and let idle in the garage. Plus too our rad. hoses are full of pressure and very hot. We ran it fine 10 years ago without a shroud.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
I just don't think the shroud is the problem. It is designed to channel the cool air when you are driving. We haven't even driven it yet, just started it and let idle in the garage. Plus too our rad. hoses are full of pressure and very hot. We ran it fine 10 years ago without a shroud.
I’m no expert on this stuff so if I am wrong someone chime in and let him know.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,350
Likes: 423
From: Seattle Area WA
The shroud is what allows the fan to do its job at idle, not at speed. Since air takes the path of least resistance, all you are doing without the shroud installed is sucking air from around the radiator and not through it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Arlington WA
I know what the shroud does, however I was running the car without a shroud for many years without an issue. We recently found out our timing is off a tooth, but I think we have an airlock to the heater core. Any advice on the heater core issue? Can that be a factor to consider?