81 Spider Running Hot

[VinniedeFiat]

My 81 Spider was running hot, so I replaced the water pump and the thermostat. Refilled system and still having the same results. Heard that air in the system could be the issue. Any suggestions on how to remedy this?

[narfire]

Any suggestions on how to remedy this?

Yeup......RAISE THE FRONT OF THE CAR, DRIVE UP SOME RAMPS OR SOMETHING. Take the cap off and run the car untill you see the coolant flowing in the rad. Top it up and good to go. The car has to be high at the front. There will be a bunch of "burps" for a while but will stop when all the air is out. Last time I did this,it took 5 minutes or so to get all the air out.
Some will install a water T in the hose to the heater,this works as well.
Chris

[VinniedeFiat]

Thanks. I'll give that a shot.

[rlux4]

The point being to get your fill point to be the highest point in the system. Parking on an incline is one way to do this.
The flushing T installed in the highest loop of heater hose at the firewall will be the highest point in the system, so it wouldn't be necessary to park on an incline. Here's a picture of the T in the heater hose (behind the dist.):

I also highly recommend drilling about a 1/8" hole in the stat. This helps clear the air being pushed out of the bottom radiator hose up to the stat. With the stat closed, this air has nowhere to escape and is the worst culprit for air in the system. Here's a picture of my stat:

Ron

[AndyS]

its not a bad idea to drill that hole in the thermostat,and I just did that on a friends car. it does make the engine take longer to warm up though. I like putting the T fitting (for power flushing) in the radiator hose, and then i can top it up at a high point that way, and also get any air pockets out of the heater core that can become trapped in the thermostat.

[VinniedeFiat]

I don't mean to sound ignorant, but can I get the T at any auto parts store?

[124JOE]

I don't mean to sound ignorant, but can I get the T at any auto parts store?

yep its a heater core flush kit
get a black one

[AndyS]

be sure to have the heater valve open when doing the flushing/refilling. I am convinced most of the trapped air pockets come from the heater area.

[VinniedeFiat]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Followed the instructions to the letter and now she's running as cool as a cucumber. Would've replied earlier, but have been doing something I haven't been able to do in a year - DRIVING!!!

[dmwhiteoak]

Enjoy and drive safley !!!!

[MikeysFiat]

Seriously good thread.