***OVERHEATING!***

[Rsporty]

My car is STILL OVERHEATING and I can't figure out why!
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Here's the set up...
- '95 LS B18b
- rebuilt, stock bottom end
- "built" LS head
- 2" dual core aluminum radiator
- All new coolant hoses
- new thermostat
- new water pump
- new head gasket (head resurfaced)
- cooling fan straight wired to come on with ignition (yes, it's blowing in the right direction.)
- coolant drained and replaced with 50/50 coolant/water mix
*Filled with coolant, then let it run for a little while with the radiator cap off to bleed any air out of the system and topped it off, so I don't think it's that.

Just finished a head gasket, water pump, thermostat, and coolant replacement, yesterday.
Took it for a drive around the block and as soon as I got on it a little, the needle on the temp gauge started to rise.
I let off the gas, pushed in the clutch pedal and just let it coast and the needle slowly dropped back to normal.
Drove it easy back to the house and it was fine, so I went back around the block, again.
Same thing...got on it and the needle started to climb. Drove it real easy and the needle dropped again.

Any ideas?

[4wslude]

are you sure its over heating or are you just going by the gauge maybe the gauge is wrong

[Theycall_Metue]

do you have a cat on it? could be bad. happen to a customer's impala, only over heat if your over 4k rpm for longer than 30sec.
at idle, itll stay middle all day.

[im_hung]

have you checked the radiator cap?

[Rsporty]

The cat is actually brand new, also.
As far as I know, the gauge works right. I've never had any reason to doubt it, before.
Actually, I'm gonna replace the radiator cap, later today and see if that helps.

Thanks, guys, for the suggestions!

[gottraction?]

i would be a radiator cap that has the temp on the top. they are like 30 bucks but are pretty accurate

[Tech5]

sounds like a air pocket

[Rsporty]

Well, replaced the radiator cap and thermostat, again.
Tried to bleed all the air out of the coolant system, but it just kept bubbling.
Deff still getting coolant into one of the cylinders, because It's blowing white smoke that smells like antifreeze.
Guess I'm going to have to rebuild this other Ls block I have and start over.
FUN!

Thanks, for all the input, people.

[1civic]

Don't use that same head, unless you have it checked, same goes for block.. Have Machine shop check for cracks, and be sure to tell them it was leaking coolant inside the combustion chamber..

[Rsporty]

I just had the head pressure tested, inspected and surfaced.
I'm rebuilding another block that's bored to 81.25.
It was just inspected and checked for a flat, level deck and cleaned.
I'm going to rebuild it with 81.25 GSR pistons and new everything, except block and crank, then put my built head on it.

Maybe then, I'll finally get to enjoy my car again.

[1civic]

PR3 piston...

[Rsporty]

PR3 piston...

Nah. I already have the 81.25 P72's.

BUT, I do have a brand new set of 81.5 PCT Civic Type R pistons/rings for sale, cheap, if anybody wants them!

[1civic]

Nah. I already have the 81.25 P72's.

BUT, I do have a brand new set of 81.5 PCT Civic Type R pistons/rings for sale, cheap, if anybody wants them!

Go out the box, run the CTR with the 404's and e85...


Edit:

What made you think GSR piston? So many better choices...

[Rsporty]

Go out the box, run the CTR with the 404's and e85...


Edit:

What made you think GSR piston? So many better choices...

Just running on a really tight budget and the 81.25 block and 81.25 GSR's are what I already have.
I don't really want a crazy compression ratio, any way.
This set up should put me at about 10.6 : 1.
That's plenty for me, for right now.