I just replaced my water pump, thermostat(180 degrees), and had my radiator boiled on my 66 Tempest with a 3 core radiator and a 326. Now, I can only fill it with a gallon and a half of coolant. It looks like the radiator isn't circulating. It isn't moving around in there. The coolant does get hot and both heater hoses are hot with hot air blows inside, but there is no pressure in the top hose. I have left the cap off waiting for the coolant level to drop so I can add more as it begins circulating, but it hasn't dropped.

Do you think it's a bad thermostat? Could there be a pressure lock in the cooling system somewhere?

I just replaced my water pump, thermostat(180 degrees), and had my radiator boiled on my 66 Tempest with a 3 core radiator and a 326. Now, I can only fill it with a gallon and a half of coolant. It looks like the radiator isn't circulating. It isn't moving around in there. The coolant does get hot and both heater hoses are hot with hot air blows inside, but there is no pressure in the top hose. I have left the cap off waiting for the coolant level to drop so I can add more as it begins circulating, but it hasn't dropped.

Do you think it's a bad thermostat? Could there be a pressure lock in the cooling system somewhere?

Pull the t-stat and throw it into a pan of water (on the stove) and watch it as it heats up. with a temp guage take note of the temperature the state opens. I have found several t-stats defective. I have had 180 stats open as 160 and 190 stats not open at all. There is a few that get through the cracks as QA is watching.

You could just buy another one and see if that works, but you would never know what the actual temp of your t-stat is.

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM


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My thoughts exactly Air Ram. I had two brand new NAPA 'stats that were opening late (200-210 on a 160 'stat.)

Upper hose unpressurized means the 'stat is still closed.

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Thanks guys, I'll give it a shot...

Hey If you dont want to boil the t stat..you can just remove it and bolt the water neck down without it and then see if you get instant water movement.

Always boil a stat before installing to confirm opening.
Also boil with a temp guage or thermometer to get opening temp and compare with guage in car to note difference.