overheating small block ford

stevestang · Post by **stevestang** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:34 pm

hi there , need some advise about my overheating woes. im running a MK1 capri with a 302 ford lump, i just cant stop the temp rising. im using an ldv 3 core rad with twin 11" pusher fans, and now resorted to fitting a engine driven fan as well.still no good. i did take the stat out(not sure if this is a good idea or not)engine gets hot very fast even with no stat from cold.the engine is 300 miles old, brand new water pump,rad is clear. when i turn the engine off theres a lot gurgling and bubbling noises coming from the engine itself.any help would be appriciated as im out or ideas

bones · Post by **bones** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:28 am

hi, i had tht problem with my sd1, i flushed the rad out and when i re-filled via the inlet hose first then the rad to make sure i had no air locks in it, but it did the trick had no problems since

rich

Ian Anderson · Post by **Ian Anderson** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:36 am

They regularily get a bubble of air at the back of the heads

Jack the friont of the car up 12 inches and blead again (Better still is to drill and tap bleads from the read of the head back to your header tank

Then if that does not work you may have got mis matched gaskets where the water passage holes do not line up thus stopping water flow

Ian

Stu E · Post by **Stu E** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:52 am

I believe with Ford V8's if you don't have a stat fitted you should fit a restrictor plate, as the flow is too fast through the rad and it doesn't cool properly.
Stu

Ian Anderson · Post by **Ian Anderson** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:13 pm

Is it the correct water pump?

I believe that the Fords look the same but can be run on V or serpentine belts and hence spin in the wrong direction to et the pump to actually pump

Try disconnecting the top hose and crank the car over - see how much flow you get

Ian