Alright now I'm dealing with overheating issues too. .She has always ran a little warm but the big issue just started this summer. My 54 has a stock 223. She is overheating during driving and sitting. The temp gauge will make it to half like normal, start to creep up like its running warm, the t-stat will open; temp will go back to half and slowly start to creep up until she's over heating and puking coolant. I was thinking sticky t-stat?I flushed the system thoroughly, slapped a new fan with more blades to get better air flow and swapped the t-stat. This is where the stupid questions come in… when I swapped the t-stat I noticed on there is a hole on the left side of the gasket that has a larger diameter than the other four holes like this http://www.brilesvintageautoparts.com/images/h8a.jpg It appears on the engine block there is a hole too, I only have two bolts holding the t-stat housing on, and I’m thinking maybe the housing is wrong from the previous owner (and I cant locate a good enough picture on-line to tell)? Or a bolt came loose on the block and fell out allowing air in/coolant out, causing it to over heat? I know this may be a stretch so please be kind. The only other conclusion I can come up with is a head gasket issue. Thanks in advance.
It's one of those "one size fits all" gaskets that are made ! Just use what you need and trim the rest away for a cleaner look . Did that help the overheating problem ? Jim
The overheating problem can also be timing, and carb adjustment, as well as belt slipping, a**** others.
I realized after reading my post again I wasent real clear about what I was asking, sorry. does anyone out there have a pic of a thermostat housing for a 223 or a pic of the front of a 223 block? (Ive looked and came up w/zip) or can you tell me if there is two machined holes on the left side of the thermostat housing on the block and one on the right? Thanks again.
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