Almost completed temp test - should have results late today.
Mal Ozstatman from Australia came by today and took some pics of the car to take back with him. Very nice man, wish he could have spent more time with us. Could have put some Bratz on the Barbie but he had to go.

Thanks guys. I did figure out the search engine and spent the time to read it regarding overheating. Wow so many possibilities. I completed the first half of the log on the original 4 bladed fan. I installed the new flex 5 bladed fan today and will start taking readings tonight and through tomorrow.
Big Kev - while Im not a computer genius I am retired and have time to help with your idea of a Trouble Shooting forum. Sounds like a great idea to me. Apparently I live in an area that doesn't have mechanics that will work on the old ones. Unless they can plug them into a computer and pump them out the door as fast as possible, they don't want to get involved. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
As to slow responses, I was just kidding. I've gotten more responses on this site to my questions in 3 weeks than I did on Classicars.com in 6 months. I broke a valve spring and didn't know what was wrong. There I got over 330 views and only 16 replies. 13 of them were mine. After a month of searching for a mechanic I gave up and my grandson and I fixed it ourselves. Only reason Im here is thanks to Turbopakman showing the way.
If Im asking too many questions - just tell me to shut up. It won't work but you are welcome to try. HAHAHAHAHHAHA

Sorry Owen
I'm new here and not a master of the computer either. Your reasoning makes since. Ill play with the search engine here and try to figure it out.
I spoke with the radiator shop guy and he tells me he super washed the block several times, and said the water distribution tube had to be clean when he was finished. Ill keep a close eye on everything for awhile. I did find a company that makes 6 Volt 10 bladed electric push fans. I could mount it in front of the radiator and keep the old fan. Thereby keep it looking original. The area between the grill and the radiator is almost impossible to see into.
Thanks for the info and for responding. Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks?
Ron

Clipper47 - I've never heard of water wetter. Can you suggest a product by name. It never snows here so that problem is eliminated. Im going to do and log some temp tests today so I can tell exactly how much difference the flex fan makes. I really wanted to keep it stock but I also want to enjoy it too. I've missed almost half the summer fixing a broken valve spring and waiting on parts and tools. It will never have a Chevy engine as long as I own it. Nothing is more disappointing than to see a beautiful old classic car with a modern drive train. The fan is easy to change out so maybe Ill just install it during the hot season here. You change your fluid and Ill change my fan. Our normal outside temp here from June to October runs between 90 and 105 degrees.
Ill keep everyone updated on my results.

Sure didn't get many replies on this one.
Update I took it to my local radiator shop - He boiled out the block and radiator. Told me lots came out. It was 96 degrees here today and on the way home it still went as high as 3/4 hot. I wanted to keep it as original as possible, but after noticing how little air movement the old 4 blade fan is putting out I have decided to go with a new 5 bladed flex fan. Ill keep the old one, maybe the next owner will want a winter car.

Hi guys I'm trying to get some info.
My 1940 120 has always ran warm since I got her. Now that summer is here the problem is a lot worse. I can only drive her about 3 miles till she pegged out full hot. I've flushed the radiator but it didn't do much good. I blew out the radiator from the engine side and got a lot of dust out. My next step is to pull the lower radiator hose and try to take a look see in the bottom of the radiator and into the water pump.
I had a guy tell me I might have to change out the "Water Distribution Tube" behind the water pump. I see Kanter has them for $171.00. Can anyone here give me some insight into the problem and a possible solution?
Once hot it seems like theres not enough air getting thru the radiator. While driving it tends to cool slightly but if I have to stop at a stop light it pegs again. The fan belt is not slipping and there are no leaks. Has a standard 4 bladed fan.
Replacing that water distribution tube sounds like a real pain. I guess its long and would have to come out through the grill. Im not looking forward to removing the front half of the car.

JD Owning these old cars can deffinatly be a drain on the wallet, but it feels so great when you pull up outside of a place and people come out just to look at them. When we broke a valve spring a few months ago, I searched everywhere for a mechanic. After towing it to his shop he said the job was to big for him and that I needed a new engine.
Soooooo we decided to do it ourselves. Turned out to be a $3.50 valve spring. The grandson and myself fixed it. No more mechanics for us - We found out thats the other half of the fun of owning an oldie and a goody. Ya should have seen the look on my grandsons face when he pushed the starter button and it came to life.
Put some miles on it to see if it breaks loose, if not - pull that head - those old flatheads are pretty easy to work on. And if ya get stuck - we're here to walk ya thru it.

JD looking at your pic - maybe its the camera angle but it looks like that valve has only half as much shaft as the other 2 below the bottom spring retainer washer. I realize the other 2 valves are exhaust valves. Do the other intake valves also look like this one. (short shaft)

I just went through the clack clack problem with my 40 but it has solids not hydraulic lifters. mine was a broken spring.
Good Luck keep us posted

Thanks Brian for responding. That's why I asked first.
The ones I want to Thank are all businesses, or members here and not individuals, .
These folks provided me with the information we needed to diagnose and fix our Lady, and not once did they profit or try to sell us anything. They gave us things like - head torquing sequences and valve adjustment procedures. Some even offered to loan us tools we didn't have. Without their help she would still be broken or setting in an expensive garage somewhere. These are truly Gentlemen I want to deal with again.
David of David Moe Packard Parts - Marysville WA.
Murray of Murray Motor Cars - Monroe WA
Danny of K Gap Hudson Parts - Landcaster CA
Bill Albrite Restorer - Fontana CA
And last but not least Turbopackman for pointing me to this site

Thanks BigKev I sure wish I had found this site before I started. It has been 45 years since High School Auto Shop and I was totally in the dark. Luckily I found some great folks that walked me thru the process. Id like to thank them here and if allowed give their address and phone numbers for anyone else that may need the help. With your permission.
I had my grandson turn the key and push the start button when we fired it up. He had a grin on his face a foot wide. Without him it would have been a real problem to get done. Hes 20 and this is the first time I've had him away from his computer longer than a few hours at a time.
Now that we are done, I just found the Project Blog area here. Figures.
Ron