Overheating pinto no header or expansion tank

[Tickover]

Hi all

My S3a lights to get hot quickly and over heats. It has an electric fan that is operated by a switch on the dash. I'm thinking about replacing the rad as the car had been sat for a number of years before I got it sorted. The core has cool spots when the car is up to temp. So one question is what one should I get to there isn't a lot of space..

It has no header, expansion tank or overflow bottle. I'm looking at putting an overflow bottle in but reading a few threads on here I'm wondering if some of my issues could be air locks as the rad cap is lower than some or the water system.. it has a heater which I'm looking at taking out at some point and the Weber carb that uses the water to operate the choke. Do I need to look at putting in a header tank up high? 

Any suggestions on this setup?

[Daveo]

Hi,

could be the thermostat that`s stuck if its been sat for a long time chance are that`s  it  you could try flushing the system ( when cold ) with an hose pipe for my money i plum for the thermostat.

 

 

[Tickover]

Sorry should have said in the original.. I've replaced the water pump and there was no thermostat in it so put one in with a 2mm drilled hole..

 

 

[Daveo]

well  it might be if it didn't  have one before you put on in then i would think its being over heating before now. check the oil on the dip stick see if its creamy looking if so head gasket needs replacing if its black the oil then it would seem ok from a gasket point of view if I had this problem I would get radiator flush remove the thermostat then put the flush in reconnect the pipes etc. run it ,  it could also be heater matrix is blocked hence over heating due to water circulation not getting passed you can by-pass the matrix by simply take of both pipes join then together so that you bypass the matrix .

Edited March 19 by Daveo

[MAHATMA]

the main thng is to ensure all the cool air pass through the radiator so make a cardboard template for a nosecone deflector also paint eginebay black

[Tickover]

 

53 minutes ago, MAHATMA said:

the main thng is to ensure all the cool air pass through the radiator so make a cardboard template for a nosecone deflector also paint eginebay black

I am aiming to make sure the air passes through the rad and not around it. 

Why paint the bay black?

[MAHATMA]

4 hours ago, Tickover said:

 

I am aiming to make sure the air passes through the rad and not around it. 

Why paint the bay black?

IF THE BODY IS SHINY STAINLESS STEEL IT REFLECTS HEAT BACK TO ENGINE DONT FORGET THE BONNET. SIMPLES

[phaeton]

Just a question, why would you take the heater out? It provides extra coolant capacity along with always being useful to have warmth around your legs

[Jez Morton]

Having no expansion tank is your biggest problem. When the engine warms up the coolant expands and is pushed out of the cap but when it cools and the coolant contracts it will suck in air instead of coolant from the expansion tank. Look at old ford tanks Capri/cortina they're ideal. 

[MAHATMA]

If all else fails, you need a workshop/garage with access to a vacuum coolant equipment, worked fo me