[Mgs] Thermostats and overheating - 80B

[Richard Gosling]

You can never fix an overheating problem by fitting a lower temperature
thermostat, unless of course the current thermostat is broken and failing to
open properly.  If your engine is running at 200 degress, a 180deg
thermostat will be just as open as a 160deg thermostat.

Have you tried flushing the coolant system?  It could just be clogged up
with years (decades?) of muck.  Buy a bottle of radiator flush from your
local car accessory shop and follow the instructions.

Is the engine running right?  Too advanced, or too lean, can cause
overheating.

There is of course the possibility of a false reading on the temp gauge,
caused by a failed voltage stabiliser.  But if you are noticing a different
behaviour in your fans then I guess your overheating is more likely to be
real.

Just a couple of ideas for you to work on...

Richard & Sammy ('73 Black Tulip BGT)

2009/5/21 Eugene Balinski <eugeneb at nni.com>

> All,
>
>    My 80B is running too warm. It used to run one needle
> width to the left of center no matter what the outside
> temperature.  It now runs 1 - 2 needles to the right of
> center, and the fans come on when moving at 20 MPH or less.
> It is hot.
>
>   My first thought  was coolant level.  I checked and it
> seemed to be at the right level both in the cylinder head
> at the thermostat housing, and at the overflow container.
>  So my second thought is the thermostat.   180 degrees is
> standard.  Is there any harm in going to the 160 degree
> thermostat ?  I do use the car in the cooler fall months.
>
>   My other thoughts for overheating (if the thermostat
> does not cure the problem) is a clogged radiator,
> and perhaps a water pump problem ?  I seem to remember that
> the water pumps can "partially" fail with the impellers
> breaking off, and/or wearing such that the move less water.
>  Does anyone have any experience with this ?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
>   Gene
>
> 80 B
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