Re: 1950 Packard 288 Auto overheating HELP

Posted by otgdy On 2011/2/16 7:14:08

These are some great ideas. Need to check the vacuum gauge and rev the engine. Didn't know that was how to check for a blocked exhaust even it it does make sense.

Took the radiator down to a local shop when I first got the car thinking it needed to be rodded out. The shop said it passed with flying colors, didn't need anything. Someone earlier said to use a UV temp device and note the temp at
each tube to check for temp differences. (excellent check by the way). Unfortunatly (?) the flow and per tube temps checked perfectly. If I remember correctly there was about 15deg drop bottom to top of the radiator. Didn't seem like much, still doesn't.

A question about timing. There is one mark on the balancer and a pointer. Is this mark TDC or where the timing should be ? Haven't pulled the #1 plug and checked it. I believe the marks are aligned.

Going to take it out this weekend. Supposed to be 35+ degrees out. Wonder if it overheats and if it doesn't wonder what that proves ?

Owen; I agree that the mixture isn't likely. On aircraft the mixture is adjusted to get max rpm then opened an addl 1/4 turn. The addl richens the mixture and cools the engine.
More likely to foul the plugs than cool this beast. ;)
I purchased the fan belts from NAPA they look ok, however I am not real sure what a "bad fit" would look like. If it doesn't fit right wouldn't it squeal or something ? Don't understand how it could change things if the belt is bottoming out since its not slipping.

Just remembered. The radiator guy said the fins in the radiator are too close together and that restricts the airflow. However as noted earlier this radiator has as many fins per inch between the tubes as all of yours. Assuming original is correct this shouldn't be a problem. Noted that after running the engine on the hose I wasn't getting real wet from the spray until I revd the engine then the fan started pulling the water from the fins of the radiator. Seems the dude was right to some degree. Problem is it would cost over $1500 to recore this radiator again.

OTG