Help! Why won't my car overheat?

Lean the carb mixture ,retard the timing, and lug the car around in high gear with one to three LARGE passengers on board. You should also loosen the fan belt a bit. Try this combination on a humid summer day, preferably at a slightly higher altitude in which your car is "accustomed" to operating. If you STILL can't get the desired results, it probably would be beneficial to neglect to check the radiator coolant level and engine oil level on a regular basis or PREFERABLY not at all. However these practices MUST be included in your lifestyle as you may not see immediate results, especially if your radiator is new and/or has recently been fastidiously cleaned OR you have a properly built or otherwise healthy engine. If you follow these simple instructions, I feel that your problem will disappear. REA,Jr.(jmr)

My education and qualifications include: Doctorate in Backyard Eng.
Shadetree University

BS Degree in "BS"
College of Fossil Fuel Mechanix

50+ years field experience

Junk Man Retired (jmr)
 
Robert said:
Lean the carb mixture ,retard the timing, and lug the car around in high gear with one to three LARGE passengers on board. You should also loosen the fan belt a bit. Try this combination on a humid summer day, preferably at a slightly higher altitude in which your car is "accustomed" to operating. If you STILL can't get the desired results, it probably would be beneficial to neglect to check the radiator coolant level and engine oil level on a regular basis or PREFERABLY not at all. However these practices MUST be included in your lifestyle as you may not see immediate results, especially if your radiator is new and/or has recently been fastidiously cleaned OR you have a properly built or otherwise healthy engine. If you follow these simple instructions, I feel that your problem will disappear. REA,Jr.(jmr)

My education and qualifications include: Doctorate in Backyard Eng.
Shadetree University

BS Degree in "BS"
College of Fossil Fuel Mechanix

50+ years field experience

Junk Man Retired (jmr)
Click to expand...


Now we're talkin', that's the ticket.... That's what I like, a man who knows what he's talkin' about.
 
phartman said:
Exactly right. Sir, I find your situation sad and tragic. And during the peak of the summer driving season, too. Triple digit heat. After you tried so hard to make your car puke. You must be heartbroken. My condolences.

To go to the trouble of buying, restoring, and operating an old Ford- all that time and money- and missing the old Ford experience. Your sense of failure must be overwhelming. To not participate in the endless discussions about overheating is to miss the entire point of having an old Ford. Thermostat or no thermostat, water or antifreeze, too much timing or too little timing, new radiator vs. old radiator...the debates and frustrations are endless. It breaks my heart to know that you will never be part of the club. On the outside, merely looking in.

How sad you will never fully know the range of emotions (and miss the opportunity to learn new un-Christian words) to direct at your automobile. A missed opportunity, indeed, to enhance your creative swearing.

Your situation, sadly, is like sex without ******, coffee without caffine, beer without calories....

Oh, the humanity. :(


Well said Phartman,
And worth repeating.;)
Click to expand...
 
This is an ammendment to my previous post.

It would also help to achieve the desired results (an overheating vehicle) if 10% or higher ethanol "adulterated' gasoline is always used. The octane value of the fuel that you choose is of no relevance. However, the fuel available at discount outlets and that which is available at low volume and out of the way places is beneficial. Always remember: "Cheap/NO NAME" is best.
Always allow the fuel in your car to age. This is very simple to do. Simply let the fuel stand undisturbed for extended periods of time. Two examples of how this can be achieved are: winter/unattended storage of the vehicle or perhaps the long term pursuit of another interest (I can't recall another interest of any validity at this time).
I good way to tell if the fuel is sufficiently aged is by a simple "sniff test". If it smells like the inside of your Great Aunt Libba's oil lamp (empty these past 70 odd years), then the desired results have been achieved.
To double check the fuel condition, a visual inspection can be done,if possible. You should drain a sample-again- if possible. Many times you will find a dark, tar like substance attemping to ooze from the tank. This substance forms due to the separation and degradation of the fuel. Many times this condition necessitates the use of tools or compressed air to allow the fuel to flow. Your fuel sample should have the appearance of very strong tea, Minwax stain (any color) that has been mixed to a ratio of 50/50, or possibly very rusty water.
If your fuel has any or all of these conditions, it should be ready for use in the pursuit of an overheating vehicle. One should conserve this fuel as it can be used to create other anomolies in your vehicle.
I hope that I have been helpful.
Regards, REA,Jr.(jmr)
 
Doug

I too have the exact same problem(?). I have a two row radiator of unknown make, a 1931 Town sedan model 160B (heavy car) and never any overheating with about 500 miles of driving with plenty of hills here in western PA. The fan is so far behind the thin two row radiator that I wonder if it is effective at all.

A friend in my club who owns a radiator shop suggested that the serpinetine fins of my radiator may transfer heat better than the flat fins used in Ford radiators. Perhaps you have this type in your radiator as well. Does anyone out there have information to support this theory?

My radiator has such a low flow rate that it could not handle the surge when the 160 Deg. thermostat opened. The water would flow out the overflow and cap. I'm running water with lube as are you with water level level at the bottom of the baffle and two 1/8" holes in the thermostat for bypass. After removing the thermostat, all was well.

Roland
 
Tom F OHIO said:
What is the good water temperature in a Model A radiator?
Click to expand...

Less than boiling, and greater than freezing. :)

The most commonly sold thermostat is 160 degrees, so that must be a reasonable temperature. But without a thermostat, the temperature will be all over the place, depending on the outside air temperature and how you have been driving.

Doug
 
phartman said:
exactly right. Sir, i find your situation sad and tragic. And during the peak of the summer driving season, too. Triple digit heat. After you tried so hard to make your car puke. You must be heartbroken. My condolences.

To go to the trouble of buying, restoring, and operating an old ford- all that time and money- and missing the old ford experience. Your sense of failure must be overwhelming. To not participate in the endless discussions about overheating is to miss the entire point of having an old ford. Thermostat or no thermostat, water or antifreeze, too much timing or too little timing, new radiator vs. Old radiator...the debates and frustrations are endless. It breaks my heart to know that you will never be part of the club. On the outside, merely looking in.

How sad you will never fully know the range of emotions (and miss the opportunity to learn new un-christian words) to direct at your automobile. A missed opportunity, indeed, to enhance your creative swearing.

Your situation, sadly, is like sex without ******, coffee without caffine, beer without calories....

Oh, the humanity. :(

:d:d:d
Click to expand...

roflmao!!
 
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