Overheating - VK

[paulntash]

Hello all, a new member. I am seeking any advice re a direction to go. I purchased a VK V8 auto about 6 months ago from Sydney, transported to the Northern Territory. Have spent some time sorting minor issues. My biggest concern is overheating. Motor is worked 308 (325), in the past couple weeks have installed large aftermarket alloy radiator with twin 14" thermo fans, new water pump and number of different temperature thermostats.

Car is fitted with aircon (usual cooling fitted in front of radiator). Temp issues remain with temp rising to v/hot within 5-6 k's. Water flow through motor seems fine.

[Deltak]

Hi,

Just a simple thing, but maybe the temp sender / gauge may be faulty or in error. If the temperature is comming up so fast and you have changed / checked the thermostat, then the temperature should be OK. You can check your thermostat by removing it and placing it in some water on the stove. Bring to boil and check that it opens (measure the temp if you can) bemovew from water and when cool confirm that it closes.

One question, how accurate is the fuel gauge?

Reason - both gauges take their power supply from a voltage regulator, and if this fails and gives full voltage to the instruments, both gauges will read high.

Just a thought.

[immortality]

180degree F thermostat should be fine. is it installed the correct way? that does seem very quick to heat up.

i too would look at the gauge or in particular the sender for the gauge. waht condition is the water pump in, have you flushed the block coolant passages?

i assume it's getting hot even as you are driving at speed, not just when stationary? how are you triggering the thermo fans?

do the headers (exhaust manifolds) get real hot? glowing? have you checked the timing on the dizzy (is it hard to start?)

[commsirac]

More information would be good.
under what driving conditions is it overheating and the ambient temperature.

My first reaction would be that two electric fans would fall well short of what is needed in the northern states with aircon and a worked v8

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Does the top radiator hose feel too hot to touch? If it is cool then I would agree it is a sender or gauge issue.