VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 32 Overheat Problem

I have been troubleshooting an overheat problem on my 32 coupe for a few years now. Here is the problem car will run fine around town for quite some time and remain cool but a few miles on the highway creates overheating. Eventually around town driving will also cause same problem. Here is what I have had done: Engine has been rebuilt (this was when problem seemed to become worse), replaced water pump, reverse flushed engine and radiator, removed head and pressure checked and magnafluxed, retorqued head, put in new radiator core from Filling Station, tried pure water instead of anti-freeze, changed timing, run with side vents open and closed and probably a few more things I can't remember now. NOTHING HAS HELPED!!
Radiator man said that the rings may be set with too little end gap, engine has about 200 miles since rebuild and runs fine other than the heating
ANY SUGGESTIONS??? Thanks

You didn't mention the water pump baffle plate. Is it installed in the block behind the water pump or is it missing? :confused: :confused: :confused:

had a 67 vette, 427 400 hp that i rebuilt(bored 030) tried everything i could think of to keep it under 235 degrees. nothing worked till the wife and i got in it and drove from maryland to cyprus gardens fla. in january. 2000 mile round trip. never went over 200 degrees after the "breakin". 200 miles not enough to loosend things up internally. good luck. mike

The baffle plate is in and located correctly. I had hoped that by putting some miles on the car, the engine might "loosen up" and run cooler but I can't run it long enough before it heats. I seem to be able to go a little longer with the new core but not much.

Did you check for Hydrocarbons in the Radiator. :confused: :confused:

Are you using a thermostat and if so is it the correct temperature? Also did you check the temp in the radiator with a thermometer or are you using the dash gauge??

Chris, Go to "Engine Bottom Noise" Aug,27 2002 and check that thread. I made two post's on my Overheating problems.

Leo

Steve, this car never had a themostat in it and it ran fine for many years. When overheating occurs, the temp gauge pins itself and water boils out of radiator cap and overflow so I assume gauge is indicating a true problem.

Leo, Where do you take radiator fluid to check for HC? Looked on "Engine Bottom Noise" but could not find your posts.

Thanks for all your ideas.

Chris, Find a smog shop, someone that does emission checks. All they have to do is sniff the neck,it only takes a few minutes. If there is any reading it indicates that you have exhaust in the cooling system. If you have exhaust getting in the cooling system it will never run cool.

Go to search, type in "Bottom Engine Noise" and the thread should come up.

https://vccachat.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000295;p=1#000007

Chris, Try the above

I had a similar problem with my 31. I had the radiator boiled out. I flushed out the block several times. Checked the water pump and cleaned the inside of pump(parts that are inside motor once back in) And then i put a 4 blade fan on it insead of 2 blade fan.It really helped out a lot. Oh and i put a plastic coke bottle on the end of the radiator over flow hose, mainly so i dont get antifreeze on the ground. Once it fills up i just pour it back into radiator.

hrndog19688, Thanks for the input. Unfortunately The 32 already has a 4 blade fan and I also put a 1 gallon can on my right side splash pan to collect fluid that comes out overflow. Chris

Just a thought all the problems started after a rebuild
Did you check cam timing and are you sure your exhaust is not half pluged up?

Tom32,
I had the exhaust manifold off and checked heat door wich was wide open, rest of exhaust is flowing free. Have not had engine apart enough to check cam timing, that will come as a final staage if I have to pull engine again. Thanks for input.
Chris

Tom32,
I had the exhaust manifold off and checked heat door wich was wide open, rest of exhaust is flowing free. Have not had engine apart enough to check cam timing, that will come as a final staage if I have to pull engine again. Thanks for your thoughts.
Chris

check the water pump packing it may be sucking air at high speed . i have hade this happen several times . even if there is no leakage around the shaft it can still suck air at high speed pushrod