stangcoupe1970

Hey guys, so I finally got the 70 on the road and beside a few hiccups, so far so good.

I fixed the temp gauge sender and after going around the block for the third time (first time with the temp gauge working) the gauge was nearly pegged! I have a flex fan, that's about 1 inch to an inch and a half away, an aluminum 2 core radiator. I tested the thermostat before I installed it by putting it into a boiling pot of water. Water pump is new with new houses. Intake is an edlebrock if that matters.

Any ideas where to go from here?

rmodel65

install a mechanical gauge and see if it is also reading hot...

stangcoupe1970

mechanical gauge installed. went around the block 1 time it was already reading 190. went around a few more times the needle didnt move, sat in the drive way for a few minutes and it was up to 205. took it back out to see if driving would restore it to 190, it didnt and got up to 215 pulled it back into the garage and sitting there off it went up to 230. there is a bit of coolant on top of the radiator near the opening and the overflow is fuller than it was.

andrewmp6

Do you have a fan shroud on it ?

stangcoupe1970

I don't have a shroud. will it make the difference between over heating and running cool though?

jctman491

I have heard that it will make a difference, but i dont know for myself

merc64

Fan shroud definitely works to keep things cool. Also it's not abnormal for you to turn key to the "on" position and have the temp go higher when the motor is not running.

andrewmp6

I would try getting a fan shroud and maybe add some water wetter to the coolant system it helps.Have you burped the radiator tho?

69mach1377

Is your radiator cap keeping the pressure?

tcrote5516

Two biggest causes:

1: Air in the system (causing irratic temp reads and hot spots).
2: There are many different water pumps used in the 70s, some flow in reverse but look identicle and bolt right up. Are you 100% positive you got the right one?