Overheating on a 170 in a 1961

[ew1usnr]

Just installed a new thermostat. No luck though. Car still overheats. I can see coolant circulating in the raradiator but the temp gauge pegs out after idling for about 5 mins. Is this a sign of something way worse....maybe engine wise??? I'm at a loss at what else to try......

Could it be that the temperature gauge is bad? Unless the cooling system was dry it almost does not seem possible to peg the temperature gauge after only idling for five minutes.

Maybe you could try a ThermoCap to get an independent verification as to what the temperature in the radiator actually is.

ThermoCap1.jpg

See: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Gasket-247...hermocap+2470R

[Notar61]

Dennis,

Yeah maybe it is the gauge or the sending unit. I feel like I've gone over everything else at least 2 or 3 times now.

I bought a new sending unit when I started throwing on all the other new cooling system parts. I just got it at a local parts store....looked the same as the old one. Is there something wrong with the new one maybe? Maybe its producing an incorrect reading, if it is the wrong sending unit for the car? Is that possible? Maybe I should get a sending unit from a resto-mod place....that way I know its the correct type for sure?

Guess I will try that radiator cap with the temperature gauge too.

Could the overheating be indicative of a bigger, more serious problem? My older brother seems to think the engine is on its last leg or something....but he always throws this suggestion out at the sign of any issue.

Hopefully I can get this figured out really soon. It's driving me up the walls.


thanks,
Andrew

[ew1usnr]

Yeah maybe it is the gauge or the sending unit. I bought a new sending unit when I started throwing on all the other new cooling system parts.

I am just putting out ideas:

Ground the sensor while it is cool and have it connected to the gauge. The gauge should read cool. If the gauge pegs hot there is a probably problem with the sensor, or possibly the gauge.

You could test the accuracy of the sending unit by putting it in hot water. Heat the water to about 180 degrees and use a thermometer to measure it. 180 degrees should be mid-range on your cars temperature gauge. Then ground the sensor and have it connected to the gauge and drop the sensor in the hot water. The gauge should read mid-range. If it pegs hot there is a problem.

Or, just buy another temperature sending unit to replace the one you have, and see if the new sensor pegs hot the same as the previous one. If not, the problem is solved. If it reads the same, the problem is not with the sensor.

Just look at this philosphically and keep telling yourself "This is a hobby. This is a hobby." Avoid thinking about presidential politics and do not get stressed.