Starting my engine build

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Just do one thing at a time when you try to solve it. A 16lb cap seems like a lot, maybe not for an aluminum radiator, I'm not really sure. My radiator shop guy recommended a lighter cap when I had mine flushed. Probably a little easier on the heater core also. I'd start with timing... see what that does, then maybe the thermostat, see what that does, and so on.

Did you end up bypassing the heater core like you asked about? If you pump isn't working, your heater wouldn't really have any heat and the heater hoses would not get very warm.

When you know the engine is cool, open the cap and make sure the radiator is full. Once the thermostat opens up, you may be able to see water flowing through the radiator as it comes out of the top hose (or when its cool, try taking out the thermostat and running it) Can see water moving through with some, but not always.

Also, have you figured out your lower hose issue yet? Do a search on this site for that issue. It's been discussed many times already. If its getting pinched off, maybe the water pump isn't getting what it needs. That might actually be the first thing to start with.

I left the heater hose alone and the heater works great. I also got a new lower radiator hose, it took 3 different hoses to find the right one lol the one I got is kinked just a tiny bit right at the water pump side, but much less than the old hose I took off