Reply to "Help Needed - Cooling System problems"

Mark,

Have you checked for timing chain stretch? If you have the original timing chain and sprockets, then you will have considerable chain stretch and sprocket wear (original cam sprocket has nylon teeth).

The sending unit for the temp gauge (or the gauge) could be "deteriorating" with age, giving an incorrect reading.

Have you used an IR temp gun to check temps when the cooling system is indicating "high" temps?

The distance from the bottom seat of the swirl tank's filler neck to the top of the neck (sealing surface to sealing surface) on my SS tank measures .760", and on my original tank it measures .770".

The swirl tank should always be full (hot or cold) to the top (lower sealing surface), and the overflow tank should be about half full. As the coolant heats up, expands, and builds up pressure, it will force some of the coolant into the overflow tank. This is normal. As the coolant cools, whatever coolant that the swirl tank needs will automatically be drawn back into it (the swirl tank). If the overflow tank is too full, then any excess coolant will be pushed out of the overflow tank (via the tube) and onto the ground (and probably on the car).

Did you retorque the heads after installing the new head gaskets (after the engine was run)?

John