Longer Test Drive today including the dreaded "overheat hill"

[Jim Stoltz]

So I took Dead Metal for a longer test drive today. It really hasn't been driven since June when I had all of the overheating troubles coming home from Hershey. I went about 15 miles out that route to see how she did climbing that last hill where it's overheated on me twice (once slightly last season, really bad this past June).

First a bit of a digression and a shame-on-me. I wanted to check out the steering for play before I took it out on the highway, something I always do before a trip. There was always a bit of play in both bell cranks, with the driver's side being worse in typical P-30 fashion. Today I decided to bust out the grease gun and hit all of the lube points on the steering and suspension. I hadn't done that since I've owned it (shame on me part). I cannot believe the difference that made in the quality of the steering! The bell cranks tightened right up, it doesn't wander (as much) and it doesn't sound like a box of rocks when I go over bumps. Should have done that a while ago, and probably should do it frequently. I also need to re-pack the wheel bearings before my Columbus Day trip.

Anyway, back to the engine temps. The hill in question is a long, steep (for NJ) climb to a stoplight at the crest of the hill where I turn left to go home. I don't get the benefit of a long, downhill run after the big climb. I come to a dead stop and nervously watch the temp gauge while I wait for the light. The approach to the hill is a small town with many stoplights so I don't have the benefit of moving along at a good clip with air moving through the radiator. 

It was about 58 degrees and as per usual I hit every friggin stoplight before The Hill. I started the climb with temps around 190 degrees. I was able to easily maintain 10 over the 45 MPH limit (customary on that stretch of road) with my foot barely in the secondaries. It felt great. Temp climbed to 210 by the time I got to the top of the hill. As fate would have it, I caught the left-turn green arrow so I never had to stop. Would have gotten hotter at the light? Dunno. 

It's another 3 miles of 35-MPH up-n-down hills to my house. By the time I turned off the main road into my development it was back down to 190. I would have preferred the 170 I saw going down The Big Hill on the way out, but I guess I'll take it. I thought with 58 degree ambient temps it would have recovered quicker.

I backed it up my driveway, which always increases temps a bit. When I put it in park, it was at 210 again. The clutch fan was barely kicking in at this point. I kicked the RPMs up a bit and it dropped to 200 and the clutch let go of the fan. I guess I'm satisfied that I can get it to cool quickly with the fan.

So I don't know what to think. Success? Hard to tell with it being so cool outside. The Columbus Day trip takes me up a steep, 65-MPH incline in the Poconos where she got hot on me last year, but it was toward the end of the season where I now know the radiator was starting to get plugged up. 

Before I park it for the winter I'll backflush the radiator, but not before the Columbus Day trip. We shall see how that goes....

[Rich Thomas]

I think those Temp are quite respectable, my little GMC has a 194 degree thermostat  and consistently  runs around 200 after it's up to speed or pulling a hill. this after my near fatal melt down last month. 

[Russell E Johnson]

Hi Jim, I agree with Rich, nothing wrong with those temps what so ever, I think you have cured your overheating problem.

[Jim Stoltz]

Thanks both. I hope it's solved too!

[So ska noname]

So your clutch fan barely came on. That sounds good to me. i vote for success.

[Jimco_W001]

Hey Jim, good for you.Bet you could drive your motor home just about anywhere now.

[Jim Stoltz]

Thanks! I hope so.