Cracked Thermo Housing & Overheated

[Deleted User]
[Deleted User]
edited November -1 in HUDSON
We were able to ge the car head from our old house to the new house this weekend. We drove for about an hour around the old town becasue the car sat for about 4 months in storage.



Headed down the highway and temp gauge started to reach the top mark. I backed off to 55 mph according to my speedo (my chase vehicle said it was more like 48 mph) and the temp came down.



As we started crossing some of the Allegheny Mountains on the Interstate, the temp gauge pegged out just as I reached the top of a hill and then the cap blew.



I was able to get it off to the side safely. But the themo housing was also cracked at one of the dog ears.



So.....would this generally indicate timing and air/fuel mix being off? She ran "normal" temp in town.



One note, the heater core is not installed, so that hose goes from the pump back to the head.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I would really have expected your radiator cap to give way before your thermostat housing cracking. I blew my thermostat housing gasket when my radiator cap failed (7lb cap). In my case, pressure built until the gasket gave way. After replacing the radiator cap ($5), and gasket, everything was back to normal.



    Have you opened your cap when the engine is cold and watched the coolant flow? To make sure that it is flowing.



    I have an overflow on my radiator. In warm weather, I tend to move a lot of coolant from my radiator to the overflow and back.



    I AM NO EXPERT: just re-sharing advice given to me and what worked for me.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Kinda doubtful your stat housing cracked cause of the heat, but possible. Sounds like your overheating problem is because not enuff coolant is going thru radiator core. I'd have the radiator checked by a reputable shop & rodded out if needed. I had the same problem with my Buick a few years ago, would overheat at speed and cool down when driven slowly[ hiway & city speeds] I could take off the cap & look at the top of the core & it looked like a N.O.S core. Took the radiator to my local shop & explained the problem so they removed the top tank. The core was 2/3rds plugged with calcium deposits! I opted for a new H.D. core cause the plans were to add A/C and end of that problem. Looks CAN be deceiving!
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    I betcha the housing cracked when the last guy put the thermostat in there and didn't stick it into the housing recess with some gasket cement or something. If ya don't, it's almost impossible to get it centered so you don't break an ear when it's tightened down.



    Probably leaked enough coolant when it got warm so there wasn't enough to keep it cool so it boiled and blew the cap.



    You can braze the ear back on but make sure the thermostat is centered. And check out the suggestions above.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Also make sure the bottom of the housing is absolutely FLAT! Most I've seen are 'bowed up in the center and will snap one of the ears off when tightened down. Best way to correct is to draw file the surface flat before installing.
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