Posted by Brian on November 06, 1998 at 07:45:08:
In Reply to: "HAD" to "JUMP ON THIS" posted by Tom Laskowski on November 05, 1998 at 22:09:47:
Well, Tom, I hope nobody does dump on you. You corrected a few things that needed to be. Yeah, the easiest way to check the thermostat is to look at the flow in the radiator. (for some unknown reason, I seem to like to do things the HARD way...) As for the "VAPOR LOCK" thing, yeah it sounds stupid as hell, but, that is how it was explained to me by the mechanic who worked on one of my other cars. That is how he said he fixed it, word for word. Maybe he was full of it, who am I to say. Autozone offered me a choice of a 165, 180 and 195 degree thermostat for my Maverick when I replaced mine. I have not been doing this as long as you, (was not born until 1968) so I will always accept constructive criticism from someone with more experience. I have alway maintained my own cars (oil changes etc...), but, this is my first project car and I am learning....
: It seems that Matt S. got a few suggestions to fix his heater problem. Well what Brain wrote (and Brain I mean you no harm here,just my thoughts)
: #1 a heater core in a car as old as a 73,just may mean a plugged core and not a leak.
: #2 To check a thermostat,you do not have to drop it in boiling water,if it's stuck in the open then what? Best way is just look in the top of the radiator,if stuck closed what to you think you have? And if it's stuck open then what? (come on folks i want to hear all the answers on this one)
: #3 The temp setting on the thermostat is a very good guess,never seen one for 165 degrees except for a 454 Chevy. (but what do i know)
: #4 COOLING SYSTEM VAPOR LOCK! (this is the best one yet) How does one add anti-freeze to the coolant system "while" the engine running via a tee in the heater hose? I know how to burp a system,but never ever heard this one!
: I have only been doing this type of thing since 1953 so I may have missed alot along the way.
: Once again Brian I don't mean to put you down at all.you tryed your best,and that means alot,so don't let me or anyone that post's on this board make You feel like Your not welcome,cause you are! anytime. I have been a bit of a AH the last few days ,must be that flu thing. And yeah the rest of you guys can dump on me ,go for it. TOM