overheating issue

[twoskies]

hello

1972 c10 350/4 bolt main

aftermarket 4 core radiator, had a heating issue, was not very warm, tried just changing thermostat to 195, seemed to help, then fighting a leak at housing, well 2 housings later and several gaskets
i cleaned the original housing and manifold, took a file to both to just clean , gasket sealer on manifold, felpro rubber gasket, and wait 24 hours (patiently/not)but did wait 24 hours, good thing, no leaks

bought a funnel system to burp air out of cooling system, also seemed to help, although the temp guage showed slightly higher, took truck for a drive and guage doesnt peg all the way but goes to 1st mark on right and drops back

any help appreciated

[SuperNathanSunshine]

I have a 292 and I find that I have a delicate dance and combinations of funnels to burp the motor.

I like Form-A-Gasket for these kinds of repairs because I can immediately start using it. RTV is for airbox gaskets.

[SeanB242]

Any way to put in an aftermarket gauge just to double check the factory one?

[twoskies]

appreciate the response's

ill try the form a gasket, so i dont have to wait 24 hrs again/lol, what is your system of burping the system, what i did, got funnel setup, filled with 50/50 coolant to bout 1/3, just let it let air out for 15 minutes, started motor, burped more bubbles, squeezed upper hose to get more out, let truck run for 20 minutes, thats when guage would set where it was, unhooked everything, put cap on, took for a drive and got temp changing
i dont know about the gauge except, before i started on everything, it had a 180 thermostat and the gauge would go straight up and down in the middle and never change

might get some form a gasket and a new 180 thermostat and try

[Sheepdip]

If you have a heat gun and you're sure your not losing water it should give a pretty accurate reading to compare your gauge to. How old is the water pump? As a last resort after verifying everything else is sound and working I have seen more than one over heating issue cured with a new water pump.

[jimijam00]

I'd rather have a two fat rows in a radiator than four small ones. Is your timing set right? I run 180s in both my big blocks.

[custom10nut]

Ok, I’m curious. How do you burp the coolant system with a funnel?

[RustyBucket]

Drill a small diameter hole in the thermostat beside the flapper to let the air out. Buy a cast iron thermostat housing. I've always used that ol' Indian Head gasket shellac compound(Permatex) on a paper gasket.... heap no leakee

[Ol Blue K20]

I find it get more Ir from the system when I jack up the side with the filler neck.

[my67c20]

Aftermarket 4 core radiator, what about a fan shroud, fan clutch, electric or manual fans? Do you have a good radiator cap? Pictures and more info needed for a good internet diagnosis. Either way should not be that warm on the 48 year old electric gage based on your signatures location.

[BigBird05]

X2 on the water pump. I've seen the impeller blade rust to almost nothing.

[custom10nut]

This is what I do.
After getting everything reassembled, and hoses on:
Fill up the radiator and let it sit for a bit so that gravity will even out the water level.
Top it off again and start the truck.
(The fluid level will immediately drop as the water pump is now working)
Let it idle, monitoring until the Thermostat opens.
It’ll give you the first “burp” and the fluid will rise then fall)
(You’ll see the fluid level drop and the temperature rise quickly)
Slowly add more fluid the radiator, as it will burp a few more times as it pushes the air pockets out.
Once all the air is pushed out, the system will stop “Burping” and the fluid level will stay at a constant level.
Top it off, and put the cap on.
Easy Peezy