53 Victoria overheating

[Johnnydidd]

I just finished flushing the radiador and block on my 53 flathead, backed flowed through the sending units on the heads, replaced the thermostats to 160 with holes drilled in them ran alot of water both directions. Did everything that O'Ron suggested except didnt have any evapo rust. Temperature is still running about 200 @ 75mph in overdrive slow down to 45 it drops to 190. I have both gauge on the dash and under the dash temp gauge. Help. John

[Tinker]

I'd look at the timing next, retarded spark. If you are running the original distributor, I would maybe contact GMC Bubba for the replacement unit he sells.

Heat issues causes:
Blockage of cooling system.
Timing (retarded spark)
Lean condition.

my .02$

[Johnnydidd]

I am using a Mallory Dist with electronic ignition, timing is set at 4 degrees at idle. Really runs good.

[sortkaffekop]

I would suspect the radiator. If its old - its clogged. Unsolder the top and have a look.

[Johnnydidd]

Been thinking about replacing with alumimn radiator, are they more efficient?

[charles in east texas]

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Aluminum or a Walker radiator would be a good start and maybe an electric fan to boot.
Charles

[51 MERC-CT]

Don't change anything until you can confirm that whatever gages you are using are accurate.

[Marvin/TN]

Aluminum is NOT more efficent. The only reason Detroit uses them is because they are lighter. And the only way they can be repaired is to pinch off a tube and apply epoxy to it and hope it works. Jut like the Horz flow Radiators they don't cool better just have a lower profile so the frontal area of a car is smaller.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

Don't change anything until you can confirm that whatever gages you are using are accurate.

51 Merc is right ! I thought my '52 F1 w/8BA was running a little warm . ( the original gauge pointer was going to the next mark after the long center mark ) I figured it was running around 200 . Then , I took my laser/temp gun to the engine . The heads , block , thermostat housings , and radiator tanks were all 165 - 170 . I don't know what t-stats are in mine , but I'm suspecting 160 's . Try a laser temp gun on your engine .