Thanks George. I agree with you that my gauge might be suspect. However,
when I bought the car, I couldn't idle it for more than 5 minutes, even in
70 degrees F, without heating it up past 220 degrees. If I opened the hood
the car would cool down to 190. I flushed the cooling system, refilled with
a 50/50 mix, replaced the radiator cap and replaced the thermostat. Now she
doesn't heat up no matter what.
Stephen I. Early
Portfolio Conversions
MBNA America
302.457.4788
800.441.7048 x74788
stephen.early@mbna.com
-----Original Message-----
From: GLCurley@aol.com [mailto:GLCurley@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2002 5:46 PM
To: bricklin@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: On the subject of overheating
Stephen,
You have a 74. Engine cooling on 74's is a little better due to a number of
factors including fan placement relative to the radiator. Still, if you are
idling for 20 minutes in 95 degree ambient temp and your temp gauge does not
go above 190 that sounds unusual, and maybe it would be worth checking your
gauge. Underhood temps can be a problem in all years. Unless you have
additional electric fans, or a modified hood with a vent in it, there is
going to be significant heat build-up when idling with the hood closed.
George Curley
PS I'm hopefully digging up some scoop/spoiler pics this evening.
> One of the most common themes I read about regarding Bricklins is running
> hot and/or overheating so I thought I'd offer information to anyone
> interested.
>
> I have a 1974 automatic that is, as far as I know, bone stock except for
> the
> air door conversion. The mileage is under 3,500. I have driven the car
in
> temperatures as cold as 30 F and as hot as 95 F with heavy humidity. I
> have
> seen a variety of driving conditions from highway to city to stop and go
to
> sitting idling for 30 minutes or more. No matter what, the engine
> temperature does not get above about 190 F
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