HOT ENGINE!!

[Anonymous]

Howdy, I have a 1966 200 and it get's really hot. I will start the car and idle it and it will make the coolant in the reservoir boil! I heard that a blown headgasket will cause this. Is that true? If so, please give me a few pointers.
Thanks a ton!

 

[rbohm]

8) a few things that will cause an engine to overheat;
1: bad thermostat
2: bad radiator
3: ignition timing too far advanced or retarded
4: bad radiator cap
5: poor cooling system maintenance
6: coolant that needs replacing
7: bad head gasket
check the first 6 items before replacing the head gasket as you might replace a good head gasket and still have the same problem.

 

[CobraSix]

If you were running the cooling system with no cap on it, it can easily boil over.

I'd add one step before step #1. Get a mechanical temp gauge and use that to verify your temperature while you hunt down temperatur problems.

Slade