Got it running/a few questions regarding temp and voltage

[DenverDude2002]

Well we managed to get the truck running, amazingly on the gas that was in the tank, and even more amazingly it has for sure not run since 2002. Have a few questions:

1. The temp gauge seemed to be working, but the temp went above 212. We know there is coolant and that its not leaking and is being pressurized in the system. Any ideas? We weren't able to drive it at speed as it has no brakes yet, just trying to do basic tuneup/adjustments till we tackle the brakes.

2. How much voltage should the generator be putting out? all we saw was 6, i expected it to be around 8 or so. I know we have a few loose wires somewhere and im sure the terminals could use a good cleaning.

thanks in advance

[greg g]

gen out put in volts should be around 6.7 to 7.0. You can test the gennerators operating condition, by temporarily grounding the field terminal with a jumper wire. Withthe engine running at a high idle, the ammeter should peg to full charge while the jumper is connected. Movement of the amp gauge is dependent on the state of charge of the battery. If your bat is new and fully charged the VR may be keeping the genny at idle unless and until the battery needs some juice.

What year is your truck? Most cooling systems were not pressurized until the early 50's.

Check the accuracy of the gauge by using another thermometer in the radiator filler.

Do not over fill the radiator, you should have no more coolant than is necessary to just cover the cooling fins by an inch or so. The rest will just get puked out upon shutdown. The system will seek its own level.

[Reg Evans]

When I was awakening my 35 Dodge from a long slumber I had a similar overheating problem. First I had the radiator boiled out. NO HELP. Then I installed a new water pump. NO HELP. So....I removed the freeze plugs on the side of the block and removed this gunk.

Slight improvement but it would still over heat so I removed the head and discovered that all the water ports between the block and head were clogged shut. The previous owner had let it sit for years with just plain water in it. No antifreeze/rust inhibitor!!!

I removed the water pump and reached inside the water distribution tube with a coat hanger and scratched all the gunk out of there too and then got a drill bit of the proper size and open up all the water ports. It's a cool runner now and I left the old water distribution tube in place.