Overheating Problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Overheating Problem
I have an overheating problem after the car is first started. I start down the road, during the first two miles the temp gauge will hit red, I slip it into nuetral (4 sp) the gauge drops to normal, and will peak out again after load applied. This will go on for the initial two miles and then the car will run at normal temps.
The car is a 79 L-82. This problem occured after I had installed an edlebrock top end package of air gap intake, heads, cam and headers. At the same time we installed a new radiator. I have replaced the thermostat and replaced the radiator cap but makes no difference.
My mechanic now wants to remove the thermostat and replace with a flat plate with a hole???
Any help is greatly appreciated!
The car is a 79 L-82. This problem occured after I had installed an edlebrock top end package of air gap intake, heads, cam and headers. At the same time we installed a new radiator. I have replaced the thermostat and replaced the radiator cap but makes no difference.
My mechanic now wants to remove the thermostat and replace with a flat plate with a hole???
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Instead of that flat plate, just have him drill a small 1/8" hole in the surround of the T-stat.
I would guess you have air in your system, which is building up in a pocket under the T-stat. As this pressure builds it's just a big air bubble that the temp sender is reading a temp from.
Once the T-stat opens, the air pocket is forced through and the water then takes it's place. Being that the water has a much lower initial temperature than that bubble of hot air you get a normal reading and the cooling system operates is it should.
I would guess you have air in your system, which is building up in a pocket under the T-stat. As this pressure builds it's just a big air bubble that the temp sender is reading a temp from.
Once the T-stat opens, the air pocket is forced through and the water then takes it's place. Being that the water has a much lower initial temperature than that bubble of hot air you get a normal reading and the cooling system operates is it should.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Yes, the hot air pocket I was talking about is not in the radiator it's under the T-stat. By drilling that hole it lets the pressure through so nothing but hot water is waiting to get through once the T-stat opens.
