Overheating question

[38plymouth]

We took our 38 on a trip yesterday of about 60 miles each way. Most of it was on 45-55 mph roads but there was a section of interstate for about 15 miles that was a gradual uphill. It was also pretty warm out and I was driving between 60-65 to avoid being run over. I noticed the engine was detonating on the uphill sections. The engine started to get hot and it got up to 200 degrees for a little while. Once we got to our destination I checked the radiator and the top tank was almost empty. I filled it back up and we drove home without going on the interstate and the outside temp. was cooler. The car ran fine and didn't lose any water this time. Where does the water go when these get hot? I don't see any type of overflow hose or anything.

[55 Fargo]

Hey 38, your engine puked out some coolant, how much did you need replace?

Up to 200 for a short time is not too bad, especially pulling uphill, after you added water did your rad go down again?

Did you recently refill your cooling system, if so, it will puke out some coolant sometime till it finds it's own level.

In your part of NY state, what is the ambient temp these days, running at 175 to 190 on the higway on a hot summer day is not so bad, keep an eye on things, carry a gallon or 2 of premixed antifreeze, just in case.

Go through the search thread for overheating, read all about how to properly clean your coolong system, if you have not done so.

Also in the mean time, check your timing, make sure it is correct, this can heat up an engine at highway speed.

Doing 60 to 65 mph o hot day, wit a flattie and maybe 4.10 gears will definately warm her up.

Let us know what happens......Good Luck sp if you have an original non-pressure rad, you have an overflow on the top of the rad, this allows hot coolant to flow out down the side of the rad

[38plymouth]

I needed to add a gallon of water and I didn't lose any on the trip home. It was about 80 degrees yesterday. I'm wondering about the timing, I set it when I replaced the head. I can't remember where it's at but it wasn't detonating at all in cooler weather. It did notice something though. I removed the roaddraft tube and replace it with a pcv system. When I got home last night I could here air sucking thru the pcv valve at idle. It didn't do that before. I need to pull it and check it out. I'm wondering if that vacuum leak could cause a problem.

[greg g]

You should have come up to Syracuse for the MOPAR club meet. Coulda used another Plymouth.

Try retarding you timing by a couple of degrees. It make a lot of difference on the uphills, and might countribute a couple degrees to cooler running.

AS far as the radiator is concerned, you should't be filling up the top tank. There should be 1 or 2 inches of coolant over the opeings to the honeycomb section. More than that will just get puked each time you drive it.

One of these day we need to meet up some where. I believe there is a cruise in at the Skan ellus Ice cream stand on Mondays. It that with in your driving distance?

[38plymouth]

You should have come up to Syracuse for the MOPAR club meet. Coulda used another Plymouth.

Try retarding you timing by a couple of degrees. It make a lot of difference on the uphills, and might countribute a couple degrees to cooler running.

AS far as the radiator is concerned, you should't be filling up the top tank. There should be 1 or 2 inches of coolant over the opeings to the honeycomb section. More than that will just get puked each time you drive it.

One of these day we need to meet up some where. I believe there is a cruise in at the Skan ellus Ice cream stand on Mondays. It that with in your driving distance?

I think I'm going to retard the timing a little more again, when it's cooler out I don't have a problem. I didn't even notice the overflow tube running down the radiator right in front of my face. I'm also planning to flush the system and re-fill, it looks a little dirty in there.

Do you mean Skaneateles? Thats only about 45 minutes from me. We are definately doing the Jordan Fall Festival this year.

[greg g]

Yep on the east side on RT 20 where Mulroy rd intersects.

You might also be interested in the one at Fillmore Glenn in Moravia Aug 31st.

You have to preregister to park with like year class cars or registration day of is overflow. pre reg is 7 bucks

Fillmore AutoShow PO 1190, Moravia, NY 13118

Haven't been to Jordan in a couple years. When is it? We will be inHawaii beginning the 18th of Sept So maybe not this year either.

[38plymouth]

http://www.jordanny.com/Jordan%20Fall%20Festival%20~%20September%2021,%2022,%2023,%202007.htm

Heres a link Sept. 19-21. We went last year without a car because we didn't know they had a car show there. They had alot of cars.

[greg g]

Maybe next year. We have found we like to take our vacations trips after the new school year starts. It amamzing how much nicer places and attractions are to see and enjoy with out kids running around.

[55 Fargo]

We took our 38 on a trip yesterday of about 60 miles each way. Most of it was on 45-55 mph roads but there was a section of interstate for about 15 miles that was a gradual uphill. It was also pretty warm out and I was driving between 60-65 to avoid being run over. I noticed the engine was detonating on the uphill sections. The engine started to get hot and it got up to 200 degrees for a little while. Once we got to our destination I checked the radiator and the top tank was almost empty. I filled it back up and we drove home without going on the interstate and the outside temp. was cooler. The car ran fine and didn't lose any water this time. Where does the water go when these get hot? I don't see any type of overflow hose or anything.

I posted this on another thread a while back, just thought this might be of some interest to you.........Fred

Here is a number of items that require attention to have this engine run at a decent temp w/o overheating.

-clean rad with good flow and the ability to dissipate heat, particularly important at highway speed, and when ambient temps outside are hot.

-fan belt tight, fan in correct position for maximum flow, especially important in slow city traffic at speeds under 35 mph.

-water dist tube, needs to be free and clean

- water jackets pronounced clean, remove side freeze plugs, clean out, flush every hole you can.

-correct waterpump in good shape and working

-rad hoses in good shape, especially the bottom hose

-160 to 180 t/stat, drill small hole in lip, to allow air to escape when filling system.

-correct engine timing, correct point gap

- heat riser, not stuck in cold warm-up position to allow hot exhaust to circulate to intake, rather than exhaust freely.

- brakes not dragging.

If all of these itmes are functioning in good order, you should be okay, if not something is amiss if you overheat and boil over.

If your current outside ambient temps are over 85 daily, then you may run hotter under the hood, a good target is 170 to 190, even the odd time up to 195 or even 200 is not going to be critical, it's when you start climbing to 205 210, that the trouble begins.

A 50/50 mix of antifreeze will raise the boiling point to 220, a pressurized rad will add 3 degrees for every 1 psi of pressure.

-warmer climates, ie Arizona, California, 75% water 25% antifreeze would be fine

You want to keep it under 200, it's best if it could be maintained at 185 degrees, your engine will run cleaner and more efficiently.............................Fred

[38plymouth]

I flushed the radiator out with water last night. It doesn't look clogged at all but there is some dark gray greasy crap on the cap and around the inside of the tube. There was some crap floating in there that flushed out. I filled it back up with just water. I also backed the timing of a little more. We took it for a 5 mile drive after letting it idle and it ran great, no overheating and no detonation. I plan to buy some radiator flush to clean it a little better before filling it back up with 50/50.

[greg g]

If you oly drive it in the summer and store it where it doesn't freeze, try a different mix of anti freeze. Water absorbs more heat and gives it up more quickly. I run about 75 % water and 25 % coolant. I have never over heated and have only seen it above 190 climbing hills in hot weather or when sitting idling in traffic.

[Don Coatney]

I plan to buy some radiator flush to clean it a little better before filling it back up with 50/50.

Forum member Lou Earle uses household dish washing detergent to clean his cooling systems. Using straight water he adds about a 1/2 cup of Calgon to the radiator then goes on a 1/2 hour or so drive. Return home and flushes the system using straight water. Once flushed he drains and fills the cooling system with an antifreeze soloution. I have never done this myself but I will do so next time I need to clean my cooling system.

[greg g]

That and polish up the hub caps and your car will thinks its been to the SPA.

[55 Fargo]

Forum member Lou Earle uses household dish washing detergent to clean his cooling systems. Using straight water he adds about a 1/2 cup of Calgon to the radiator then goes on a 1/2 hour or so drive. Return home and flushes the system using straight water. Once flushed he drains and fills the cooling system with an antifreeze soloution. I have never done this myself but I will do so next time I need to clean my cooling system.

This method works very well, I would highly reccommend you try this, I have done this on my flattie already.

The Electrosol cleans out a lot of greasy, goopy crud, that is a result of old glycol antifreeze and water.

This is straight forward and simple to do, try it you will be pleased with the results............Fred