I have a set of mech gauges on my 46 Ford Coupe, high volume pumps, no stats, new hoses, and a properly adjusted carb and although the temps hold around 160-165 while I am cruising around 55 mph, when I take it on up to around 65-70 mph, the driver's side gauge reading climbs up close to 190. However when I slow back down to around 55, it goes back to 160-165. The p***enger side head maintains at 160. Any ideas what I'm dealing with? I tested my gauge senders and they are good.
I would try swapping the senders to see if it makes any difference. If not, then I might try a restriction in that side to slow coolant circulation and check the results. Have your block water jackets been cleaned out, thoroughly, that you know of? I cleaned one of these old blocks and it was amazing how much crud settles in the base of the water p***ages. Ray
Ditto on what he said. I ran a magnet back in my 8ba, the kind tha tyou use to pick up dropped bolts etc. And I just kept pulling casting **** out. Small pieces of slag, spattered casting pieces etc. It had been in there for 60 years. All the antifreeze changes never flushed it out. With the pumps off I could get at it.
190 isn't really that hot. I would however run thermostats. It'll keep the coolant in the block longer. 180's Did you put new heads on? The gaskets should be put on with the smaller hole to the back of the block on both sides. Flatheads basically have two cooling systems. Drivers/p***engers. So one side can be hotter then the other side. my .02$
Possible: Corroded water pump vanes on that side. Blocked coolant in p***ages on that side. P***enger side has heater core and therefore more coolant area and capacity. A crack in the exhaust p***age (through to the water jacket) will cause exhaust g***es to heat up on the side of the block with the crack especially under load.
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