Hey fella's

i'll be takin the van to melbourne(from sydney) for a bit of motor sport!
[not the van!]
the last time i went on a road trip (to Bathurst) i had an overheating problem when i went over 90km/h
when i got back to the garage, it proved to be a little retarded!

So, i think i have advanced to timing enough now, but haven't tested it above 80km/h
(inner city sydney has nowhere for a decent run).

Before i head down i intended to get a radiator thats had both tanks taken off and flushed!
any other recommmendations?

stock 998cc '78 van

>>Falcon

_________________
>> From outer space

i always start with the simplest:

1. get a thermostat (i reckon all cars should have one) (do you know where it is)

2. take out the radiator, have a look into the spout. if the brass inside has gone all crap then replace it $150 down in smithfield

3. if a little dirty, but not so dirty you think its clogged
use radiator flush

4. i heard a radiator recondition was about $100 so why dont you buy a new one. i think you'd be hard pressed to find a guy who'll take off both tanks, clean them, and solder it up back again cheaply, if at all

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

What engine/carby combination are you running? Might also have a high end lean out problem, like myself.

Get someone to rev the car while it's OUT OF GEAR, and look at your radiator hoses. Make sure they arent collapsing and restricting flow.

But in the first instance, Yeah, check yer thermostat and radiator out.

_________________
"He's always been a dickhead, He always is a dickhead, He will always be a dickhead. So stop complaining when he acts like one."

yeh another thing, what phildo said
lean fuel = heat up
rich fuel = cooler.
you can hear the idle go down as you richen it

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

retarding or advancing the timing may help, and also a good clean radiator, but also remember that your carb has a needle in it. It may well be incorrect up at the top end and leaning out too much, hence gets hotter as there is less fuel to burn. If it is getting hot on the way give the carb a half turn to increase the fuel at the top end. yes it'll run alot richer at idle, but if your sitting at 90km/hour for a sustained period it might help keep it cooler. Of course to do this correctly you would put it on a rolling road.

Cheers

Aaron

hey doc
was that radiator for $150 new or recored?
The guy in mini kindom has one for $96 bucks thats had the top and bottom tank removed and been flushed, and pressure tested! is that a normal price??

i had put a new thermostat in it just recently (73C) just before i left
there is usually a one-way float valve on a thermostat, to allow the water to drain back for when your filling it cold(when the thermostat is closed), but these mini thermostats don't have them?
the old one i threw away had a couple of small holes drilled into it, to allow this to happen i presume

does anyone know if mini's are prone to an airlock in the system?

_________________
>> From outer space

Air locks can happen in the head..Warm her up till the the theromstate opens and pump the top hose.... but do check that the hoses are good.
You dont need to take both tanks off to flush it..Overkill

_________________
Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

paul
$150 brand new
we got one recently for the moke

do you know how to adjust the fule mixture?
(ie without taking carby bell off)

im not sure about this air lock business
duc

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

on the older style HS series SU's with the external float bowl there is a spring loaded nut underneath the carby. Turning one way richens it, the other way leans it out(who actually ever remembers which it goes LOL). On the later HIF series, there are mixture adjustment screws.

if you have the car running full rich at idle, and it stinks the place out, but it's still running lean high up, you may need to change the needle, or fit a larger carb(that would be why i'm getting a larger carb

EDIT....... The two small holes in the thermostat are there to allow a small amount of coolant to pass each way, before the thermostat actually opens.

_________________
"He's always been a dickhead, He always is a dickhead, He will always be a dickhead. So stop complaining when he acts like one."

paul
turn the tap on your bathroom sink
clockwise = tighten
anti = loosen

now imagine the knob is upside down
with the same hand,
clockwise = tighten
anti = loosen

if you keep this concept
find a nut about 20mm diam
5mm thick
under the carby

clockwise = tight = close off fuel = lean
etc

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

Thx guys
i'll have a closer look when the exams are over!
i'll let u know how i go!

_________________
>> From outer space