Overheating or not?

Well i just picked up a '67 cj5 with a 225 v6. Driving it back home I noticed the aftermarket temp gauge going up. I kind of got scared and pulled off the road. When i opened the hood, I noticed some coolant coming out the overflow hose connected to the top of the radiator. Not sure if this is a overheating problem or not. I am more familar with newer vehicles that have a overfill or reservoir tank. This one just spills on the ground.

I decided to just keep driving and see what happens. What the gauge did was go up and then come down. This keeps happening every couple minutes. Is this normal? Could it be a problem with the thermostat or something?

I am not too sure the temp gauge is accurate but the coolant coming out concerns me. Thanks for any help.

 

First things furst: welcome to ECJ5, please take the time to introduce yourself when you get a chance.

the overheat sounds like a sticking thermostat and an overfilled radiator. if the radiator is filled to the top when it is cold and you heat it up the cap has to allow some to escape due to expansion. you can and should hook up an overflow bottle to it, get one from the junkyard or somewhere to keep the antifreeze contained. what condition is your antifreeze mix in? what color?

 

Welcome from Central Va. Sounds to me like a thermostat.

 

Welcome from Ohio!

I agree it sounds like the thermostat. I would change it and flush your system while your at it.

 

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Wow, I didnt expect that quick of a response. I will introduce myself in another thread.

Ill have to look at that thermostat. I never had to purchase one of these before. Are they just standard sizes or do i have to tell the parts place the make and model and whatnot. I know this one is supposed to have a 190 degree according to the manual.

 

should be specific to model but alot of them used comon sizes. shouldn't bee to much work for the auto parts dude to find it for ya.

 

I agree that it is the thermostat and it should be easy to get at the parts store. They are cheap too compared to some of the stuff that I have had to replace. Welcome aboard.

 

If the thermostat is working good and you have a good gauge you should be able to look at the gauge and tell that the thermostat is working due to the gauge going up and down about 10° or so. Since you just purchased this thing I would change the antifreeze and the thermostat and put in a 180° unit instead of the 195° stock recommendation. An overflow bottle is a good idea but not completely necessary.

Welcome aboard!!

 

did that to mine as well. no isuues with overheating yet with 450 miles on the rebuilt :v6:

 

Glenns right the last two thermostats that I have bought already had the hole in them, can't remember who made them though. If they don't have the hole it is a good idea though.

 

Thanks guys for the reply. I got a 180* thermostat and drilled that 1/8th hole, flushed the whole system, and everything seems good so far!