VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1932 3 window overheating

engine runs perfect... water flow by openig is good ..put cap on and 5 minutes later it overheats. head gasket or plugged radiator? Is this radiator cleanable.boilable? any help?

The radiator is cleanable and also can be rodded if the person knows what they are doing. If the radiator technician is less than 60 years old you might want to find another place.

Hi blue38,

Overheating is a popular topic, which tells you something about these old cars. Here's a small sampling:

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/6540/1

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/10554/1

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php...ch/true/Re_32_Overheat_Problem#Post13512

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/148040/1


My '30 coupe will overheat if I run it past 45mph on warm or hot days (above say, 75 F). I'm still using the original honeycomb radiator and am sure that is part, if not most, of the problem. So, I'll just putt along at 40mph on backroads and enjoy the scenery.

Happy Motoring,

Dan

engine timing and spark plug type and plug gap can cause over heating.
Part of the over heating problem that is over looked is Engine oil. Engine oil is 1/2 of the cooling system. The water system in an engine mostly cools the cylinders and head(s). The oil system cools the crank, piston, rods and valve train. Maybe the Oil pump not pumping oil like it should. There in lays a problem in how to tell. If the pan feels hot and the valve cover feels hot to the touch and the block is cooler, the oil system could be the problem. a good thermometer or oil heat gauge is nice in the oil system..

I like to use a non contact laser thermometer. Harbor freight sells them for about $40 to $50. They work well you can spot check you engine, radiator, transmission and rear ends.

Have fun, got to go play with grandson vcca #45321 ewv715

Thanks for the Great advice.. backflush and a tightened fan belt may have solved it. Side note for Chipper.......the two bar bumper is accessory chevy.its designed to support the add on trunk. Thanks again
old cars have always owned me

Glad you have the heating problem solved.

If the bumper is for a Chevy it must be an aftermarket intended for a 1930 as that was the year a double smooth flat bar bumper was used. 1929 and was grooved and '31 has a convex face profile.

Good that you got the over heating solved. I really don't think these cars were prone to over heating IF everything is working properly. The most common problem I have found is a clogged radiator mostly due to age and neglect.

Hey Dippy Chippy! All early 1930 bumper face bars were grooved like the 1929 bumper face bars as well. In late 1930 the bumper face bars were flat with no grooves.

Skip, what was the cut off for late and early. My car has a frame date code of 4/29/30 and an engine code of May 1930 and it has the flat bars no grooves front or rear and I am fairly sure they are original as most of my car is. St. Louis is Plant of mfg.

My 30 coupe has the flat bumpers and was made in Tarrytown, NY in July 1930. I'm not sure but someone told me that later 1930 had a cowl band whereas the early version didn't have a cowl band. I haven't been able to verify that claim. Does anyone know.

Mine has no cowl band.

The cut-off date for early vs. late was approximately April of 1930.


Cowl bands were used in both early and late 1930 on select models.