Overheating Issue

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Can you hold the impeller on the water pump while turning the front of the pump?? Also you have a fixed fan and not a clutch fan, correct?

[RDF]

Can you hold the impeller on the water pump while turning the front of the pump??

No, I can't.

Also you have a fixed fan and not a clutch fan, correct?

Correct, fixed fan it is....

[71chally416]

 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

You got that right.

Tuning and head gasket (doesn't really sound like it but..) are the only other possibilities I can think of. Unless the lower hose needs the full length of spring. But that really would only cause a problem on hard throttle or cruising where it would suck the hose flat. He's overheating at idle/low speeds still.
 

[RDF]

You got that right.

Tuning and head gasket (doesn't really sound like it but..) are the only other possibilities I can think of. Unless the lower hose needs the full length of spring. But that really would only cause a problem on hard throttle or cruising where it would suck the hose flat. He's overheating at idle/low speeds still.
 

   Sooooooo......it's not the water pump?

 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

It sounded like it could be the impeller was just spinning on the shaft of the water pump and wasn't moving water. That has happened. But since it sounds like you can't turn it, it sounds less possible. The only way for it to be causing the issue at the moment, is if when the pump actually gets hot, things expand at different rates, and that occurs...

[Chryco Psycho]

any chance that a reverse rotation water pump was installed off a newer engine with a serpentine belt system ? Assuming it is a small block , I never heard of a reverse folw big block
 the other thing I have heard is the impelor can be different diameters for different years & if the impellor is too small it will bypass inside the big block housing
 Either way try a different pump now that you have it off

[Bullitt-]

Be sure the thermostat is pointing up

The only other thing I can think of, that hasn't been mentioned, that would make one overheat that fast is a restrictive exhaust....haven't flattened any pipes lately?

[RDF]

any chance that a reverse rotation water pump was installed off a newer engine with a serpentine belt system ?

I don't know as it was on the car when I bought it a couple of years back. 

Be sure the thermostat is pointing up

Yup....On my thermo housing, there's a indentation as to where the thermo would sit, so when I replaced it, it was rtv blue on the intake, gasket on the intake, thermo, then housing.  This was the exact order it was in when I took off the other one when I thought it was junk.

This situation is weird b/c the car used to run just fine, then all of a sudden, I started having issues with it not cooling correctly.   

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Pretty odd situation you're having Bob. Just more random thoughts on the situation that may spark something. I doubt your timing got bumped up, but thats another sign of it. Bad radiator cap is another iffy, it holds pressure I assume? Fuel filter, could be running lean all the time?

[Grancoupe]

Goody hit a good point. Bad rad cap could be an issue. The cap is there to allow pressure to build at a controlled level and increase the boiling point. I would also consider replacing the coolant. I would keep the car on straight water for the time being. It actually would run a little cooler on just water. Maybe throw a bottle of water wetter too. This would reduce water tension in the block. A lean condition may cause a hotter engine. I would imagine you might notice the car running different but have you checked all you vaccum lines for leaks? I also like to always drill a 1/8 inch hole in the flat part of the thermostat so there is always a way for any air to get out and not air lock the motor. I don't recall big blocks being prone to this however we usded to do it to all of out racing cars and became a habit. Are you SURE there was nothing done to the car prior to this happening?
I don't really like adding things to fix a problem. Just means you didn't find what was actually causing it. So i'm trying to think backwards and see what would have happened to cause it rather than what to and do prevent it from happening.

[RDF]

Pretty odd situation you're having Bob. Just more random thoughts on the situation that may spark something. I doubt your timing got bumped up, but thats another sign of it.

Yepper, indeed it is....I messed with the distrib last winter when my dad came down, but we only moved it less than a hair to see how it would idle, once it didn't sound good, we put it back to where it was.

Bad radiator cap is another doubtful, it holds pressure I assume?

yeah, no fluid leaks out of it, but what has happened recently is if I fill my rad up, and drive it for about 10 minutes and then park it, fluid comes out the overflow tube (currently draining on the ground).

Fuel filter, could be running lean all the time?

Maybe, I haven't thought about changing it....never really thought it would affect the cooling system.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Only immediate thing I can suggest bob is to make sure you get all the air out that you can when you put the new water pump on. I have a snapon cooling system filler that puts the entire system into a 30"in hg vacuum and you fill it using that vacuum. Thats the ultimate way to be sure you get the air out. Only thing is it requires a decent amount of shop air to work off of. Also will check your system for leaks (vacuum goes away..you have a leak somewhere).

[RDF]

Goody hit a good point. Bad rad cap could be an issue. The cap is there to allow pressure to build at a controlled level and increase the boiling point. I would also consider replacing the coolant. I would keep the car on straight water for the time being. It actually would run a little cooler on just water. Maybe throw a bottle of water wetter too. This would reduce water tension in the block.

I changed the fluid about 2 weeks ago and added the recommended bottles of water wetter at that time....darn thing still boiled like a tea pot on a stove.  I didn't try just running water though, but not too sure how much that will help, but I will try anything.

A lean condition may cause a hotter engine. I would imagine you might notice the car running different but have you checked all you vaccum lines for leaks?

Yes and No....I sprayed the carb cleaner around the intake and carb (with the top covered) and didn't notice any increase in idle.  Still doesn't mean that there isn't a leak or line hooked up incorrectly.

I also like to always drill a 1/8 inch hole in the flat part of the thermostat so there is always a way for any air to get out and not air lock the motor. I don't recall big blocks being prone to this however we usded to do it to all of out racing cars and became a habit.

This is a 360 SB, but the advice is good as I will be moving to a 440 soon.

Are you SURE there was nothing done to the car prior to this happening?
I don't really like adding things to fix a problem. Just means you didn't find what was actually causing it. So i'm trying to think backwards and see what would have happened to cause it rather than what to and do prevent it from happening.

Unless I overlooked something, I'm 99.99% sure nothing has been done prior to this happening.  

I appreciate all the troubleshooting efforts everyone.....I'm learning alot.  

[71chally416]

If it has no thermostat and the radiator is not clogged I can think of nothing that would fail to circulate the coolant other than the pump being bad, the fan belt being off or a major blockage in the pump hosing or a hose.