1971 Charger Superbee w 383 - 69,xxx original mile engine.
NEW radiator.
New hoses.
New thermostat.
New water pump.
New coolant.
Original shroud.
Original fan.
No clutch fan - direct drive fan.
Two years ago (Sep 2009) - we made it 1,000 mile round trip to St. Louis for Monster Mopar Weekend. No cooling problems.

Come home and back in the hive the Bee goes. Drive it a time or two and then in Sep 2010 I drive it to work and on the way home, the temp gauge reaches "uncomfortable".... (YOU KNOW - that white mark on the temp gauge to the far right?)

Today I take it out for a drive (88 degrees outside) and this happens:

Going...



going...



going..



Gone...



Thermostat Housing:



Top of Radiator:



Bottom of Radiator:



WHY IS IT OVERHEATING WITH EVERYTHING "NEW"? (2 years old)

Help......

Stuck or partly stuck stat

Bad fan clutch

No clutch fan. Direct drive. Thank you for the comment.

Even though the water pump is new....is it any good?


Was the impeller pressed on the correct amount ?

And perhaps worth pulling the thermostat out and sticking it in boiling water (or close that is) to make sure it is opening, and opening fully...

Lean...

air pocket in the block???

I THINK (assume) good water pump.
Welded on impeller.

Spring in lower hose.

Timing hasn't changed since the 1,000 mile trip to St. Louis. Runs like a scaled dog - no valve chatter - real powerhouse! Starts with the touch of the key hot or cold.

if you don't have leaks
then something almost has to be restricting flow
start simple at the thermostat
i would check or replace that first
the rad could of gottin clogged by crud left in the engine
flushing it would be my next move
let it run and watch it over heat
is the rad cap any good?
clues will stick out if you are observant

Remove the radiator cap and let it warm up. You should see a LOT of water moving through the radiator when the thermostat opens. If you don't see much water moving, it's likely your stat isn't opening.

DAMHIK

Theres a 33 degree difference of temp after passing through the radiator, so it appears that the radiator is doing its job.

What kinda stat are you using? What temperature? Just because its new doesnt mean it works. I bought the Napa Premium as well as the MOROSO / Mr. Gasket type. Both 160º. I bench tested them both and the NAPA opened at 157º and full port at 165º. The MOROSO/Mr. G style began to open at 172º and was full port by 185º...You can't trust any of them really.

I paid $12 for one 10 years ago and my engine was hitting 170º all day along in traffic and the freeway. 22" 4-core Radiator + Shroud, High Volume Water pump (cast iron), 7 blade fan + Hayden clutch. All timed and dialed in. 10:1.

I can't seem to find a decent stat anymore. She runs close to 185º all day now (given I am in a different region of the world but the weather is the same)

A trick I used to do on my Slant 6 Dart was open three 1/8" holes in a triangular formation on the surrounding area of the stat, chamfer the holes on both sides. My dart was riding 180º all day with a 180º Stant Stat