Hot running P19

plym_46 · November 02, 2011, 07:22:01 PM

Power the 12 V light from a 12v battery or battery charger, then put the induction wire on and the light will be nice and broght.

You can also time your engine using a vacuum gauge. Its probably more accurate method as it reacts to real world conditions, like worn rings, sloppy dist bushigs, and todays gas.

Bill Davis · October 30, 2011, 12:21:37 AM

Tony,

Any common timing light will work on our cars. Using it on a 6 volt system, the light might not
be as bright, but it will sill do the job.

Tony D. · October 25, 2011, 12:39:42 AM

I've seen the radiator test; plug the outlets and fill the radiator. Remove the lower plug and the flow should extend upwards to 6". We haven't tried yet but it's on my list.
Tony

plym_46 · October 24, 2011, 12:27:11 AM

The service manual has a procedure for a simple test to check for proper radiator flow, have you tried it?

Tony D. · October 24, 2011, 12:23:26 AM

Guys,
Thanks for all of the tips! Jim told me that the radiator was flushed, hopefully not by the same radiator guy that sealed his gas tank and prevented fuel from flowing through the pickup tube (that's a story for another day). I'll double check on the condition of the radiator before proceeding further.
Also, the thermostat housing and that area of the head were not blocked.
Thanks again,
Tony

CHS · October 23, 2011, 06:38:10 PM

I used to have a hot running 55Plymouth. It was fine around town and on short trips. If I took it out on the highway it would run hot. Turns out the radiator was partially blocked. When I tried to flush it it sprung leaks. I had to have the core in the radiator replaced. After that no problems.

SD Glenn · October 23, 2011, 12:51:27 PM

I have seen soft hoses that would collapse and stop the water flow, you might check that.
Good luck with that problem, hope it gets fixed soon.
SD Glenn

Go Fleiter · October 23, 2011, 11:52:07 AM

Nothing inside the thermostat housing is blocking the opening procedure?

Richie · October 22, 2011, 08:03:05 PM

Just to be sure... the end of the thermostat with the spring goes toward the head side where the hot water ( that needs to be moved) is going to be. Once it senses the heat it will open, then the pump will circulate it out through the radiator. Hope this helps. Rich

plym_46 · October 21, 2011, 08:33:56 PM

installed correctly or not a stat that doesn't work is designed even new out of the box is ot uncommon in these days of Offshore shore sourcing it parts.

Put it in a pan of water bring the temp up with a thremometer in the pan, and check to see that it opens and stays open. Remember the degree rating is the temp at which the stat should start to open. It doesn't determin the operating temp of the engine.

Tony D. · October 20, 2011, 06:26:27 PM

Bob,
Jim installed the thermostat and he wasn't sure if he installed it correctly. That's the first thing I checked yesterday, and it was installed properly. When I pulled it, it wasn't blocked in any manner.

Tony

41PlySD · October 20, 2011, 04:49:46 PM

If I understand you correctly...once the thermostat was removed from the cooling system the car did not overheat...right? If that's correct and the removed thermostat seems to open correctly at 180 deg...is there any chance you had it in there backwards/upside down. Sounds simple...just my initial thought...

Bob

Edit...I just talked with a very knowledgeable friend of mine here at work. He confirmed that if a thermostat is installed up side down it will not allow proper flow of the coolant and will quickly overheat the engine. He mentioned that he had done this before. ::)

Tony D. · October 20, 2011, 02:52:54 PM

Hi All,
Off and on the last 2 months I've been working on my friend Jim's 1950 Deluxe and after we finally got the rebuilt L6 running, but it's been running hot. Yesterday, I noticed that the anti-freeze wasn't flowing in the radiator's top tank even after the temp gauge had pegged out. I checked the water pump and the impeller was working, then I removed the 180 thermostat and the antifreeze began to flow. With the car sitting still and running at idle, the temp slowly went up to halfway on the gauge. Jim checked the thermostat in a pot last night and it opens at 180 degrees.
Since this is a 6 volt positive ground car, I had set the timing by ear (is there a 6 volt timing light?). The distribution tube was removed and cleaned when the motor was rebuilt.

Any suggestions as to why the engine is running hot?
Thanks in advance,
Tony