74 maverick grabber. frustrating over heat problem!

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Bad1974maverick, Feb 20, 2023.

  1. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    being a different block, having a blockage in the block sounds pretty unlikely...JMO.
     
  2. Miguel Arzola

    Miguel Arzola Member

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    My opinion what size of pistons are in it if is over 60 the pistons jackets are to thin possible cause of the overheating
    Radiator to many row’s and no thermostat coolant flow to fast ?
    Need a thermostat and 3 row radiator to slow down the coolant flow for the cooling fan to pull the heat out ….this is my point of view knowing that everything else’s is working correctly Good luck
     
  3. TeeEl

    TeeEl Senior Member

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    He already confirmed the thermostat is installed. And it's a myth that coolant flowing too fast "doesn't have time" to cool. The flow of air and coolant is constant, and the longer the coolant is in the block, the hotter it's getting. The problem with no T-stat or restrictor is cavitation and aeration.

    Run without a T-stat on a cold winter day, and the engine will never get to operating temperature, and the heater won't work. The opposite would be happening if the absence of a T-stat causes more heat...
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2023
  4. 71Mavrk

    71Mavrk Member

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    What do your spark plugs look like, how accurate are your timing marks and what is your timing set at? Is there any advance or retard in your cam?

    Micah
     
  5. Bad1974maverick

    Bad1974maverick Member

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    That's actually a good question. I would assume it's correctly timed as the shop has had it a good long while. I would think that would have been something checked.
     
  6. 71Mavrk

    71Mavrk Member

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    I would look to confirm TDC on number 1 with your dampener.
    Micah
     
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  7. Bad1974maverick

    Bad1974maverick Member

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    I would like to think that would have been something checked first. I'll ask. They are supposed to flush out the motor itself in the next day or two.
     
  8. 71Mavrk

    71Mavrk Member

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    In your first post, mentioned that the motor was clean. So, I'm not sure if flushing is going to do anything.

    Considering the unfortunate condition of your friend as he rebuilt your motor, it is possible that some basic things may have been overlooked or incorrectly done. At this point, I would consider pulling the motor.

    Not uncommon to have to do. I had to because of a bad machine shop employee.

    Micah
     
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  9. Bad1974maverick

    Bad1974maverick Member

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    That's very well possible. Which is why I posted my problem here in case I missed something. When I spoke of the engine being clean, Dave was speaking of the cylinders, combustion chambers and piston tops when the heads were off.
     
  10. BruceS

    BruceS Member

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    Take thermostat out. Boil some water and throw thermostat into it. If it doesn't open within 2 minutes. Thermostat is bad.

    I've had cars that never got hot enough to run the heater. We would place cardboard in front of the radiator to restrict air flow.

    The way this reads is you have a bad thermostat. Replace it or get a hammer and screwdriver and beat the center piece out of it.
     
  11. Bad1974maverick

    Bad1974maverick Member

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    I appreciate the advice but please read the whole thread. It overheated with a new stat, it overheated without a stat, and overheated with another new stat.
     
  12. BruceS

    BruceS Member

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    I did read the whole thread. It must have a restriction for it to operate correctly.

    Buying China junk isn't the answer.
     
  13. BruceS

    BruceS Member

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    I did read the whole thread. It must have a restriction for it to operate correctly.

    Buying China junk isn't the answer.
     
  14. TeeEl

    TeeEl Senior Member

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    It has a thermostat, therefore it has a restriction. How do you know his thermostat is made in China? From everything that has been checked so far, it is apparent that there is another problem. I'm looking forward to finding out what it is...
     
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  15. Bad1974maverick

    Bad1974maverick Member

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    I have never had a 289/302 NEED a restriction. I run a supercharged 87' 5.0 5 speed without a stat. My 67' mustang doesn't have one either but that's a different tale.
     
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