LT1 Overheating, can't find problem?!
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Slc, utah
If I were you do a full top end build. Or now is the time to do a full build. Lol. Pull the block have new plugs put in get it flushed and do all your gaskets. That way you know about everything. That's if you can afford it. Playing with used stuff isn't fun.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Well I wish I could, but being laid off dosen't help. Once I get some money rolling I might either do a 5.3 LSx swap or a forged 355 build. For now I'm just worried about keeping the car on the road so I can get a job and have transportation to and from it.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
I had a freeze plug goes year's ago. The crack was small enough to were it would boil off before hitting the ground. So leaks were hard to find. Plus just because you have new hoses, doesn't mean the restriction cant be more internal. Have you done a coolant pressure test?
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
So you only replaced one head gasket? To me that's a big no no. If you do head gaskets always do both. Sure you can get away with it but in most cases if one is bad they both are. That and you never now if someone else before you didn't put a stock one back in or put a perf in.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Hmmm..... Never thought of the crossover pipe clogging. I think you're onto something. I've have to try that out. But reguardless, the car still uses coolant and is spitting out blue smoke out the rear.
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Registered User
Joined: Jul 2023
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Overheating can't find problem Okay, my 95 Formula has been overheating and I can't find the problem. I'll drive it for 15-20 minutes after letting it idle for 5-8 minutes on the driveway. It'll creep up to 210 and then all hell breaks loose and it rockets to 240-250 and the coolant boils away and I shut it off. I've been fiddling with it for the last month and I'm pissed off 
I flushed the radiator, flushed the block 5 times, tested the thermostat (works) manually wired the radiator fans so I turn them on with a switch, took the front plate off the water pump and it turns when the engine fires up, no coolant leaks anywhere, the rear steam pipe is on correctly on both heads, replaced my main two coolant hoses even. WHAT THE ****! I let it idle on the driveway with the fans going and it slowly creeps up to 240. I raised the front nose all the way up and bled any air bubbles that might be trapped and pumped out all air pockets and tested the pressure and it all holds pressure. ***I feel the engine and it feels very hot, but I touch the radiator and hoses and they are ICE COLD*** why is that? Water pump works fine. 
I flushed the radiator, flushed the block 5 times, tested the thermostat (works) manually wired the radiator fans so I turn them on with a switch, took the front plate off the water pump and it turns when the engine fires up, no coolant leaks anywhere, the rear steam pipe is on correctly on both heads, replaced my main two coolant hoses even. WHAT THE ****! I let it idle on the driveway with the fans going and it slowly creeps up to 240. I raised the front nose all the way up and bled any air bubbles that might be trapped and pumped out all air pockets and tested the pressure and it all holds pressure. ***I feel the engine and it feels very hot, but I touch the radiator and hoses and they are ICE COLD*** why is that? Water pump works fine. 