1959 rebuilt engine overheating

[benkorn]

My newly rebuilt 352 appears to be overheating, according to the gauge. I haven't seen any kind of coolant bubbling up, just a red lining on the gauge. I was going to test the temp using a thermal gun but after about five minutes, I saw a bit of smoke and just called it a day. The last mechanic bypassed the heater core due to a leak. I don't know if that is the cause or even if the bypass is still there. I just want to know that the engine is not overheating. This is the end of my restoration. Everything has been fixed or replaced.

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[59tbirddavid]

This is a problem with most fe block birds. Mine has ac and I would not make ac work until engine would run at proper temperature. That required an aluminum radiator, fan shroud , shroud is special and expensive. Also six blade 18 in fan from Summit. Brakes on these cars suck, disc brakes are a must.

 

[benkorn]

Thank you! The engine overheats with or without the ac on. It was overheating prior to engine replacement with ac on at idle. When engine was rebuilt, i had shop put on larger fan and clutch because i wanted ac without overheating. Air flow from new fan across radiator is upgraded. Radiator is new and aluminum. Shroud is correct shape as original.

 

[Frankie the Fink]

You have to say WHEN the car overheats, generally if you overheat at idle, its an air flow issue, at speed its a coolant flow issue. Also, how much was the rebuilt block bored out, get much over .030 and there isn't enough metal to dissipate heat effectively ? I don't know this particular car but many vintage cars have a lower radiator hose with a spring in it and if its missing because somebody replaced it with another one it can collapse.

Finally pressure check the system...its easy enough to do yourself. with a kit or a shop can do it. If the car has a fan clutch then test that too.

 

[Cuul59]

All good advice here from others. Just one more thing to check is that your fan is facing the correct direction. Some fans are possible to installed reversed. Easy enough to check if it’s sucking or blowing!

CUUL59

 

[74 Harley]

I have to ask,are you filling the expansion tank all the way? Because you shouldn't. Coolant should just cover the metal baffle. And don't trust the old gauge. I have never had a clutch fan on any of my birds. And I never had cooling issues. I got my first bird, a '61 at 21 years old and drove like a maniac. Properly adjusted and serviced brakes are just fine on these cars. I drove that one routinely at North of 100. I had it about 12 years and it never let me down.

 

[Little Veston]

I had the same problem when I rebuilt my 390. had a great mechanic help. It overheated, replaced the 5 blade fan with a 7 blead, installed a new larger radiator, WE PUT THE THERASTAT IN BACKWORDS! Check that.

 

[Frankie the Fink]

I hate to bring this one up but excessive 'boring out' of engine cylinders can cause overheating issues on a rebuild; there is less metal to dissipate combustion heat.....soooo.....how much did they bore out the cylinders...?