QuestionI drove this car to high school. I am restoring it now. I have an overheating problem. I installed a new radiator but it still overheats. What can be the source of this problem? It in original except for the new radiator.
AnswerThat is amazing that you were able to find a new radiator for a 76 year old car! If it has been in storage all that time, it might be blocked up with debris from storage, or even a rodent nest, so check for that first. If you are sure the radiator is clear, then check your water pump to make sure the impeller is firmly connected to the pulley, sometimes they slip so that even though the shaft is turning, the pump isn't doing its job.
Make sure your engine is properly tuned - if it is not timed or the carburetor isn't adjusted right, that could make the engine overheat.
Check for blockage in the exhaust system.
If the block hasn't been flushed out with a pressure system, have that done, including removing any core plugs to get access to the internal water passages for cleaning.
Make sure the radiator hoses are not collapsed inside the hose - the lower hose is famous for doing that, and you cannot tell from the outside of the hose. Take it off and inspect it, make sure it has the spring inside it to keep it from collapsing.
Make sure nothing is restricting the air flow through the radiator, and that there is no buildup of paint on the radiator fins.
That's about all I can think of at the moment - run through those possiblities and see if any of them help your problem, and get back to me if you learn more about it.
Dick
