ok... sounds to me like 3 possibilities. 1... the t stat is stuck or not working correctly. 2. when you put the head gaskets in did you make sure they were placed correctly. the head gaskets i first had, my helper installed the gaskets as i set down the heads. after i started to drive, the engine would boil over and spew out all the water. then cool back down. reason. there are water blocks on the head gaskets so that the water flow in one direction. my helper had put the gaskets on the wrong way and so one side of the engine was not flowing water and then it would super heat and blow all the water out. i found out after i changed water pump and t stat and a few other checks.. not sure how long your head gaskets have been on, but this could be a reason to look at 3. the water pump impeller. if they rust out, they wont spin water. and the air flow from driving will cool the water down but the pump isnt working properly whn idling. good luck
Ok....looking at your engine pics in the gallery (hopefully they're current) it appears that you have a stock style pump and underdrive pulleys. I'd use either the CSR pump mentioned or the Mezeire. Both use an idler style pulley so you can keep the belt routing you currently have. I also like the idea of the in line filler cap. Looks like your radiator is several inches below the top hose so you could be right about the trapped air.
Thanks for the comments, guys. I'll change out the T-Stat, WP and add the in-line filler cap. I think I'll have the radiator boiled out while I'm at it. (p.s. the heads have been on the engine a while without a problem - that's not to say that a gasket hasn't let loose but there's no water in the oil, oil in the water, performance drop, the plugs are clean, etc.)
Finally subscribing to thread... lots of great stories. Amazing how I can be at the track and see some of this action, but I enjoy it almost just as much reading or hearing it from Dave. Im hoping to make the Jan 1st race... gives me time to make sure I got every thing tightened up and squared away before then. Time will only tell.
Been thinking about these heating problems and was wondering if maybe the water pump is being turned to fast. This will not allow the water flow to absorb heat and dissapate it, as well, as if it was turning slower. May be all "wet" on this one.
