12A engine. I put a new thermostat on it tonite to solve my overheating problem. Earlier today I was looking under the car and saw the rear of the main cat glowing bright orange. Not good I thought, must be clogged. Sometimes it blows rust out the tailpipes (been sitting almost a year; and 2 years before that only ran about a month between there) so cats are probably rusted out.
So the car still overheats even with a new 180 degree thermostat. And 50/50 or so water/antifreeze.

What else could it be guys? Is the clogged cat making the engine get WAY WAY too hot? I don't think it would but then I dunno so I asked...
thanks
Joe

 

I know that if you are running the engine to rich you will make the cat glow from the overheating. This could also cause the car to run hot. How are your hydro carbons? If they are high you will be running hot.

 

I don't know, I haven't had the engine smogged yet. It DOES seem to backfire and generally gurgle out the tailpipe alot though... ok, this is a possibility I guess, but the temp gauge just keeps climbing, I mean, it doesnt just run hot but I think it would burn itself up if I let it run long enough. Neither of the other two engines I had in the car did this. I don't take it any further than around the block when the cops arent looking because the tags are expired.
Can I adjust the mixture on the carb? I can't remember if theres a screw or not but I'll start tinkering with it tomorrow.
Any other reasons its overheating?

 

Waterpump?

Just heard tonite that there are certain issues with the air pump that would make the cats glow.

Good Luck

 

Actually, a 50/50 mix in your coolant isn't the best to keep your engine cool. Water is actually much better at keeping your engine cool than antifreeze. For optimum cooling in the summer I use 80/20 water to antifreeze, and 50/50 in the winter.

 

When it’s running does it smell like it just pumping the gas right out of the exhaust? If she’s running real rich it will darn near bring tears to your eyes if you’re in the fumes. This could cause the cat to glow red-hot, would imagine it’s melted the heck out of that cat which then would cause it to plug.

I’m not part of the carburetor crowd, (-SE) how hard is it to rebuild one of these, or can you still get them from your local rebuild? I’ve got a shop here that’s done a few carbs for some of my piston-powered cars, just bolt them on and go…