1976 Dart Overheating and other issues
Really really great advice for a newbie, thanks to you all.
Here is where I’m at. After posting the pictures last night and letting everything soak in degreaser, I cleaned all the gasket material and a wire brush to clean out the thermostat housing. I added pictures of the result. I think it came out good. (Image 1-3)
Fast forward to now, I purchased Continental molded hoses, superstar 195 thermostat, a felpro gasket, Ideal SS hose clamps. I’m working on a real tight budget. So my goal is to see what I can work with before ripping things out and replacing.
I idled the car and topped off the radiator once the t-stat opened. All looked well and I went for a drive, which turned into a one hour drive! I’m very happy. The needle sat just below the middle mark the entire time. (image 3). About an hour after driving I pulled over and let the engine idle 10 minutes to see if the temp would rise it didn’t move from just below middle. Drove back home and all well!! No leaks or overheating at all.
However, once I shut down the engine l and let the car sit, since the is no airflow, the temp gauge went quite high in my opinion (Image 4). Please see picture below. When I start up it will drop right back down to just below middle.
So overall I am pleased I can at least use the car. I’ll be saving up now for a new radiator and water pump. Hopefully those will be in by March/April.
Really really great advice for a newbie, thanks to you all.
Here is where I’m at. After posting the pictures last night and letting everything soak in degreaser, I cleaned all the gasket material and a wire brush to clean out the thermostat housing. I added pictures of the result. I think it came out good. (Image 1-3)
Fast forward to now, I purchased Continental molded hoses, superstar 195 thermostat, a felpro gasket, Ideal SS hose clamps. I’m working on a real tight budget. So my goal is to see what I can work with before ripping things out and replacing.
I idled the car and topped off the radiator once the t-stat opened. All looked well and I went for a drive, which turned into a one hour drive! I’m very happy. The needle sat just below the middle mark the entire time. (image 3). About an hour after driving I pulled over and let the engine idle 10 minutes to see if the temp would rise it didn’t move from just below middle. Drove back home and all well!! No leaks or overheating at all.
However, once I shut down the engine l and let the car sit, since the is no airflow, the temp gauge went quite high in my opinion (Image 4). Please see picture below. When I start up it will drop right back down to just below middle.
So overall I am pleased I can at least use the car. I’ll be saving up now for a new radiator and water pump. Hopefully those will be in by March/April.
