The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Overheating-Lessons learned

Final update:

After putting the head back on the engine and putting everything back to togather, it still ran hot, not as hot, but 210 degrees. I was ready to pull my hair out. I ran it with and without the thermostat (165 degrees) I tested the thermostat. I was sat my wits end.
The set up was a 235 (1955) with a the short shaft water pump (which sits 3 inches lower), A smaller fan to fit inside the fan shroud and a 1954 crankshaft pulley.
I removed the short shaft water pump, reinstalled the adapter plate to run the 1954 water pump (which put the fan squarely in the fan shround)
Now if you did not know, the water pump pulley is smaller on the 1954 water pump than on the 1955 water pump. .

Well it turns out the the water pump was not "turning" fast enough. When using the 1954 crankshat pulley to turn a 1955 water pump (lager diameter) pulley, it was turning to slow.
So, using the "correct" pulleys (1954 crnakshaft pulley with a 1954 water pump) the ratio was correct.

So with all the "crap" cleaned out of the head and block, she is now running 180-185 degrees under load, and when idling she is right at 180 degrees.

So, again, if you ever get an engine that had been sitting for awhile, pull the head and water pump and clean all the nesting material out, and you will save yourself alot of headaches.........

John Gott