VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 57 overheating

I have a 57 sports coupe with a 283, automatic transmission, and all stock equipment for the most part.

I have had some problems lately with the engine getting too hot.
The temp gauge goes to the right 1/2 of the gauge and if I don't keep her moving the gauge will go almost to the far right.

I can smell it getting hot, and when I stop the radiator cap would boil over if I took it off.

I suspect that the thermostat is not opening?
If I replace the thermostat is there a replacement temp that I should use?

Thanks

Paul

At least a 180 deg. better 194 deg. with at least 30% antifreeze 50% is better.

Paul,

If you suspect the thermostat is not opening, and it really isn't, it seems to me the coolant is not going to circulate thru the system. And it'll get to boiling + pretty quickly. I'm not even up to the status of amateur mechanic; but I think if it doesn't open it'll get a lot hotter than you describe. Can't hurt to replace the thermostat; but I doubt that's the problem. Not sure what it might be....Like I said, an Amateur....

A 180 is normal for summer but I would check the lower radiator hose as it may be sucking shut when warm and restricting flow,a new hose with an internal spring will eliminate the problem.AL

Nice car. I had one back in the '60s and it was a mover until my sister pulled it out in front of a truck and bent it all to pieces....

With the radiator cap off, make sure the coolant level is where it belongs, start the engine, and check to see if there are any bubbles or oily residue. Also check the oil to see if there is coolant in it; it would show as a whitish froth.

Anyway, the thermostat sounds like a good place to start, but the keeping it moving to keep the heat down suggests that maybe the radiator needs cleaned out. Check the outside first. Sometimes just running water through the vanes to get rid of dirt and debris will take care of the problem. Do it with the engine running, and the fan will help pull the water through. You can also look from the side and see if there are any dead spots where water is not coming through. Also check for bent vanes and straighten them if you find any.

If that isn't the reason for overheating, go ahead and change the thermostat. Since you live up north, I'd go with a high temperature one (194) to get the temp up fast in the cold. See if that took care of your overheating problem.

If not, run it with the radiator cap off and see if there is flow of coolant when it heats up. Just look inside the radiator and you should be able to see it flowing. If you're not sure, rev the engine up a bit and drop it back to idle. If you're not seeing a difference, you most likely need a radiator flush. You can do that yourself, but with the problems of getting rid of the old coolant and chemicals, you may be better off having a radiator shop take care of it.

IF YOU DO IT YOURSELF, BE SURE THAT NO CHILDREN OR ANIMALS CAN GET TO THE ANTIFREEZE. IT TASTES GOOD BUT IS DEADLY AND CAUSES A VERY PAINFUL DEATH! EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT CAN CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE LIVER AND CAUSE IT TO SHUT DOWN.

antifreeze is a renal toxin, not nearly as harmful to the liver.mike

You're correct, and I was wrong, but it will kill just as painfully either way!

Actually the problem is that the ethylene glycol is converted to oxalic acid which forms long thin crystals when removed from the blood stream by the kidneys. The crystals incise the kidneys. Takes a few days and a not a small amount of antifreeze ingestion. Interestingly the antidote is ethanol alcohol. Seems that is preferentially oxidized so the ethylene glycol is not converted and can safely be eliminated in a day or so. We tried to convince our management to stock some high quality ethanol just in case we might accidentally ingest some ethylene glycol when we were working with ethylene glycol antifreeze development. Didn't work though as they just told us to keep our mouths shut.