Just got back on here, and I think I may know what's going on. 1st of all, after I got my new thermo and pump gaskets, I decided that the old pump was spinning ok, the new pump wasn't going to get it, and the thermostat tested good and I drilled a 1/16" hole in it just in case, so I put it all back together so I could at least get it back in the drive way and off the curb where I was draining it. The radiator seems to drain just fine, so after filling it up, I started it and let it run for about 5 or 10 minutes to see if all was well. The belt is good and tight, the pump was spinning with no leaks. It wasn't warming up real quick, so I closed the hood to take it for a ride around the block to watch the thermostat open up, but when I got in the cab, it was over 180 again, and slowly creeping up. I shut it off, let it cool, then took it around the block, and it was getting hot again, so I parked it in the driveway to think on it for awhile. Went back to the shop manual and re-read the troubleshoot on the cooling system, and there it was. Last thing on the list is to check the manifold heat valve in case it's stuck. Dug a little more and found out what happens when it gets stuck in the carb heating position, and thought that might be it. I went out and checked the heat riser spring and shaft, and nothings moving. I would say it's definitely stuck. Sprayed some PB Blaster on both ends at the manifold, but so far no movement. Kind of late today, so I'll get out there and pull the carb tomorrow and see if I can get it to move. Anybody done this before? Per some questions on replies above, I took some pics of the way the fan has always been positioned since I got it. It's always worked fine this way, but I guess it could be better. The radiator is actually in the frame, not on the front of it like I was thinking. (the wings that bolt onto the radiator frame are attached to the engine side of the outer U leg, not the engine side of the inner channel leg. my mistake) And it is setting low on the radiator, but it's not below it. But like I said, it's always run fine except for replacing the thermostat once.
"When I rest, I rust" 1951 3100 5 window w/ '56 235
