i have a slight cooling problem , with my '82 D150 . I live in Kingman AZ. elevation 3450 ft.) Yesterday I had to go to Yucca , 30 miles down I 40 (elevation around 2000 ft.) Its along steady climb up I 40 at 65mph . After about 15 miles the hot light came on, so I stopped and let it cool down, after another 10 miles it came back on , so I stopped for a bite to eat and let it cool down again. The coolant was clean and to the bottom of the neck and the recovery tank was to the top mark. Belts are good and adjusted, no leaks at the pump or anywhere else.
I don't want to shotgun it and throw parts at it , maybe some one has a suggestion?

I had a'60 Valient that had an overheating problem,
I had the radiator dipped and a new thermostat and water pump. In the end I couldn't keep it cool on the freeway , later learned that the early /6's had a pressed in water distribution tube , which had a tendency to rust out. i was also told that later engines had a cast in place water tube .
If any one has any suggestions please post them , I would appreciate any help.

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Rick G

What temp of thermostat do you have installed? A lot of people like to use the 180 degree one, but it depends on where you live.

If you have a 195 degree, you might want to try changing to a 180 degree. There could also be crap in your engine block, but others would have better solutions for how to clean that out. I think you just remove a freeze plug and check the passages.

The specified thermostat temperature for that application is 195°. If your thermostat is defective, replacing it will cure resultant problems, but putting in a colder-than-spec thermostat does not cure overheating. It may temporarily mask the problem, but it does not solve it — sort of like shoving a cork up the tailpipe to try and stop exhaust smoke!

You've got a water flow problem in the radiator and/or block. See this thread for suggestions to cure high-speed overheating such as what you're encountering.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Do a quick check by partially draining the radiator so you can see the tops of the cores with a bright light... you may find that some of the cores are plugged, if so, have the radiator serviced. ("rodded-out")
DD

Thanks for the suggestions , I'll take a look at it in the morning.

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Rick G

You might even find a LOT of clogged tubes. I did 2 rads I had.....
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/sho ... hp?t=43837

my slant was only getting hot at hwy speeds and would idle for 35 minutes stuck in rush hour traffic with out overheating.

Player1up, nice to see you over here as well.

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Y'know, my Dart sounds a lot like Anthony Michael Hall's Canadian girlfriend in "The Breakfast Club"...

yeah, I lurk from time to time. I know a fair amount about a-bodies, but I'm still a /6 noob. I try to keep the plans for the "daily duster" simple but there is enough info here to make my thoughts run wild. I don't post much because it's just about all been said, but I did have to chime in with my "poor man's fix". It is truly amazing what a /6 will put up with.

Really, your fix is quite professional...I didn't hear the words "JB-Weld, Chewing gum, Duct Tape, or Baling wire" anywhere...Although, I think I'm gonna be useing a bit of the JB-weld to put together my 'baby tunnel ram' that I'm building...just as an added measure of security, though.

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Y'know, my Dart sounds a lot like Anthony Michael Hall's Canadian girlfriend in "The Breakfast Club"...