Overheating and what I did about it.

[prophetdaniel2]

     So my Clipper has always run at a very consistent temperature. So far as I can tell everything is normal as long as the needle covers the zero on the # 170. (there are only four numbers on my gauge which is difficult to interpret ) when that zero starts to creep into visibility my anxiety level rises with it. nothing terrible has happened so far, but I get concerned.
    Last night we went for a spur of the moment outing to a local campground/swimming hole 8 miles away, and I made tacos for dinner. On the trip home I noticed the Temp read the highest that I had ever seen around 200 is my best guess. the needle was about dead center between 170 and 230. Temp outside was an uncomfortably warm but enjoyable 80 degrees. I am sure I have run in hotter for MUCH LONGER with nothing like this happening.
     Today I decided to flush the coolant system and refill with pure water as a starting point. While I was waiting for the antifreeze to drain (from the good condition 4 core radiator ), I decided to remove the grille and more securely fasten the tranny cooler which had slipped down a bit from its normal resting spot. I then verified what I already knew to be true, that there was no longer a charge in the cab A/C (probable hasn't been since 1979) then removed the A/C radiator core! It felt great to purge Bessie of one more useless bit under the hood. I plan to tear out and replace quite a bit more soon.
     Testing: today was quite a bit cooler, around 65, but I have never seen engine temps as low as today, even on  cooler days. Took Bessie out on the Highway and temp gauge needle covered the #7 on 170. I like it. its not much in the scheme of things, but about a 20-30 degree drop since last night plus a lower average temp. Also noticed that idling temp was old normal (needle covers 0) and needle dropped after getting up to speed. This has never happened before to me. I have never actually witnessed the needle moving lower as I accelerated!
    This may not work for everyone, I just wanted to share my triumph for today with you.

If you need a cab A/C core and can pay shipping from Alaska, its yours.
-Daniel

[prophetdaniel2]

A few other things of note:
-I was contemplating how to fix the hole in the front passenger side of my doghouse when I noticed a dangling vacuum tube. A closer inspection revealed its counterpart. A piece of an old broken telescopic antenna donated a part of itself to fix my heater selector and actuation!
- I have very nice headlamps, seriously! these are the best headlamps on any vehicle I have owned that predates 2000, the make and model are:CIBIE part # 70-44-02. 7 " lamp featuring BOBI (?)
       ......however the tin brackets which hold them in place are perhaps the cheapest junk I have ever broken! I wasn't even being rough!
-On the inside of the grille bottom edge wedged in to the fold of plastic was a sensor conspicuously labeled SENSOR I removed it and discovered that it was not attached to anything. Does anyone have any idea as to its function? my guess is for an aftermarket thermometer?

[John Eversoll]

Sounds like mine!!! HOT &^#$%
Runs great on the open road But stuck in traffic is another thing.
I know I am going to replace the head gaskets before I go on the road again since the rig has been down for four years
plus new water pump and new air bags...At which They are very expensive"
Hope you can fig out what that sensor thing was or is!  John

[Steve-O]

Hi Daniel,
You mean you removed a part of the radiator (which is unnecessary if you don't use the A/C) and this reduced the engine (coolant) temperature? My Clipper is heating up now that I had a new fan clutch (see my previous post) installed. The old clutch made a terrible squealing sound at 50 MPH but never allowed the engine to overheat. I suspect the new clutch disengages at too low RPM. Any recommendation for a fan/clutch?
Steve
(email to microglass@aol.com) if you like...

[John Eversoll]

Hey there Dan, Sounds like you had a great time in cleaningh the block..

I am haveing my 440 rebuilt just to avoid the nasty stuff that is inside the block.

and I am sure it will run cooler.  The rig has always run extreamly hot.
I put in a new fan clutch and it didn't help and then I did clean the block out and that did seem to help but it still ran hot.
This way having the block hot tanked before they rebuild it, I know that there is Nothing in the block to prevent a good flow of coolent.  I will just be happy when this make over is done.! Then I can Move out of this GOD forsaken state!!!!
Happ Clippering!!!   John