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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1965 289 mustang fastback overheating

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Expert: - 4/16/2009


Question
Hi, the engine gets very hot at highway speed. At idle and cruising at 40 mph
the temp is normal. The water pump is new, lower hose has spring in it and
heads are rebuilt. Also checked that the head gasket was installed correctly
(front label faces to front of engine. Any idea? I also noticed that the head
gasket covers one of the water jacket ports in front of engine and the other
port has only 1/8" hole in the gasket. The gaskets are correct for engine but
why block one port and restrict another? Any suggestions. Thank you.

Answer
It sounds very much like a partially plugged radiator. There is enough flow to remove the heat from lower fuel use running like low speeds and idle. But when you ask the engine for more power by burning more fuel then the restriction slows the flow of coolant enough so that heat is not removed from the engine. Most of the time this calls for a radiator replacement as the stuff gets so hard and crystallized in the radiator that flushing will not touch it.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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