I bought new. I think a mild cleaner on a rag would be best to clean it. Nothing too harsh as it would possibly damage the coating. I would test it on a less conspicuous area first to confirm it doesn't damage anything.
It also wouldn't hurt to start a thread asking this question as I'm sure...
I cleaned the top completely and even filed off the sharp burrs that were still present from the original spot welds. Underneath I hand sanded as well as I could and epoxy primed, sealed and painted it. Originally it wouldn't have gotten fully sprayed as it was difficult to access (mine had...
Good weekend. Took the car out for it's last run of the year before being put away for the winter. Took it to a show about an hour south of me.
Weather was questionable all week so I wasn't sure if it was going to be worth the drive, but figured when I got up at least it would make for a nice...
It was a long process. Ever evolving. Been driving it all summer and working out the bugs and deciding on the next upgrades. Definitely power steering, power brakes and more than likely a drivetrain upgrade. That will probably be next winter. I'll drive it one more year with the six before...
Mine runs really cool now that I got all the crap out of the engine. I am pretty confident the root cause was the radiator got plugged up after a deposit in the engine let go and went through the system. Now it doesn't even get up to the lower operating range line even on our hotter summer days.
My 63 has none to the radiator support but has one from upper bellhousing bolt to the hole below the heater hose. But as stated by many others, more grounds better than not enough.
So, final update.
It appears the overheating problem is solved. It was definitely the rad. Once it was flushed it ran extremely cool. Now it doesn't really get to operating range without the thermostat. I am still getting some debris coming through so I have flushed it out a few more times...
Looking good. I will be following. I have a 63 as well and was considering a V8 swap but was holding off due to firewall concerns. If this works out I may have to consider a winter upgrade. :)
Ok, another update, another issue... Hopefully a solution.
Flushed the rad again. Flushed the engine over and over again. Took it for a good drive. No issues. Took it for the same drive I took it for that it overheated bad and no issues. Looks like I'm getting past the cooling issue...
Another setback. Took the car for a longer drive Sunday after work and it overheated again. Had to turn on the heat to get it cooled down to get home. Left it overnight and discovered a pile of crap in the radiator...AGAIN!!! Drained it all again and this time it was loose enough to flush...
I'm pretty sure that connects to a rod that goes to a thermostatic choke control. Basically a brass coil spring under a cover that pull the choke closed cold and as it heats up it opens and relieves tension on the spring. You can see the silver cover and rod in this picture.