newbie cooling problems

[rdeeble]

hey folks. ive got some newbie questions (ive had my 76 2002 for years but just now learning to work on it). i inherited a second 76 which im learning to restore and ive only driven it for like 10 minutes but it heated up on me really fast. prior to turning the car over i added fluids especially coolant which seemed to be nonexistent and noticed that some of the new fluid hit the floor on start up which makes me wonder if the water pump is leaking. The car was sitting in a garage for many years before I purchased it.

What are the best ways to diagnose an overheating problem?

Also regardless of pump since the car sat so long i should probably drain the block and radiator yes? Where are the drain plugs located to do so and it what order should you attempt to make less mess?

Lastly... I spent some time taking off a lot of smog stuff yesterday since I'm in washington and its not necessary (I swear it took like a hundred pounds off the car - is going to use less gas - and is now probably better for the environment). Is it advised to hold on to the pump and other items just in case the laws change - or do you think us washingtonians are safe to offer up our smog goods to help out california?

[chat66]

Just had some similar heating issues on my 76'.

Do a Compression test. My valve was burnt and

knocking. Took it for a drive around the block...

noticed quickly on a 65 degree day heat was rising quicker

than should be. Turn around come home.

Almost home, heat in a decent zone...here pop, and notice

blue smoke. Pull plugs all good but number 4 is GASSY.

I Think the rocker broke, any way great time to do the valves.

Finally check compression...TOOOO Late. Follow proper order

of operations.

[c.d.iesel]

S.T.O.P. putting any more antifreeze into the 'new car' !!!

purchase a radiator pressure tester from any NAPA/AUTOZONE store

throw a compression tester into the basket also.

NOW FILL THE CAR WITH JUST WATER ( H2o )

pump the tester up to 16 - 20 psi and go to work listing all the leaks,

all the hoses, water pump, heater core, head gasket, radiator....

that you'll need. Keep filling with water as in 15 mins

your system will be down again. Keep it full while testing.

Work the Heater water valve by hand and note any

leak there. Squeeze the hoses to circulate the

water and move air pockets.

remove the spark plugs

crank the motor over with a like-new battery and use your new compression tester - hold throttle WIDE OPEN while cranking

do not do any more work, or spend any more money intill

you report your findings back here first.

-= "DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE

THIS CAR UNTILL IT HOLDS COOLENT PRESSURE,

DOES NOT LEAK GAS, WHEELS ARE FREE TO TURN, BRAKES

SET ON AND RELEASE FULLY. INSPECT FOR ANY LOOSE GROUND/POSITIVE WIRING

[rdeeble]

Thanks for the word. Will report back next weekend after another saturday on the car.

>crank the motor over with a like-new battery

got it - no battery when i bought it so it has a new one now.

>DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT HOLDS COOLENT PRESSURE,

drove once at night after purchase - heat built up after 5 minutes, pulled over let it cool down added water, drove another 5 minutes back to garage, it heated up again but not as fast.

>DOES NOT LEAK GAS,

so far seems good there, no smells.

>WHEELS ARE FREE TO TURN,

yep all good there.

>BRAKES SET ON AND RELEASE FULLY.

seem solid.

>INSPECT FOR ANY LOOSE GROUND/POSITIVE WIRING

doing this now.

[rdeeble]

well its been like forever but...

i finally got back in the garage to solve my de-smog wiring problem (had the solenoid connected on the wrong terminal & poor connection on the battery) and re-explore my cooling problem.

For the cooling mystery I did a radiator pressure test. Gave it 20 lbs of pressure with plenty of water in the radiator. Result... no leaks, not even the water pump or heater valve. I had some minor leakage at the upper radiator hose but it just needed to be tightened down a little (I don't think it would of caused the car to get low on fluid and overheat).

So where to now??? I am guessing swap the the thermostat and see if it overheats again? Thoughts??