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Old 08-04-2019, 09:18 AM   #1
Robert/Texas
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Default Overheating Problem

After my ’37 Ford developed an overheating problem, I removed the radiator and had it serviced in an old radiator repair shop. He found some debris in it and told me to flush out the engine, which I did with my garden hose. I reinstalled the radiator, filled it with water and started up the engine. After about 10 minutes, it started boiling again. I then checked the temperatures with my laser thermometer on both cylinder heads and top hoses. The passenger side head and hose were at the boiling point, but the driver side was about 30 degrees less. Note that there were no thermostats on either side.
Today, after reading about overheating due to a blown head gasket on page 80 of the July/August edition of the V8 Times, I now believe this is most likely the problem. The car is now sitting with all hoses removed. How can I best establish this at this point?
All suggestions welcome and encouraged.
Thanks, Robert
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Old 08-04-2019, 09:45 AM   #2
19Fordy
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Default Re: Overheating Problem

Install a new head gasket on the passenger side and recheck the temperatures under load and 'on the road".
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Old 08-04-2019, 10:44 AM   #3
JSeery
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Default Re: Overheating Problem

Why not start with a compression test to see what is going on before pulling a head?
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Old 08-04-2019, 11:18 AM   #4
philipswanson
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Default Re: Overheating Problem

A compression check will not necessarily show up a cooling system problem. Better to do a pressure check at the radiator to see if the cooling system is holding pressure.
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Old 08-04-2019, 11:46 AM   #5
JSeery
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Default Re: Overheating Problem

He was claiming a blown head gasket which will show up on a compression test. I would do all the testing I could before I started taking an engine apart.

"...after reading about overheating due to a blown head gasket on page 80 of the July/August edition of the V8 Times, I now believe this is most likely the problem."
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Old 08-05-2019, 08:50 AM   #6
Gene1949
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Default Re: Overheating Problem

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radiator full of coolant
homemade spark plug adaptor to air line
set each piston @ TDC
Pressurize cylinder and look for bubbles in radiator.
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Old 08-05-2019, 11:45 AM   #7
Robert/Texas
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Default Re: Overheating Problem

Thanks again to all of you.
I now plan to check the compression as soon as I can get back to the car. That would be the easiest thing for me to do first. I checked it a few years ago and recorded the results so I have a good basis for comparison
Thanks again, Robert
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