My first car venture

k not so sure about this upside down theory anymore... I'm debating replacing the pump, as the next place to start. If it's on there upside down then the radiator hoses do some crazy contortions. It overheats bad, and fast. The heat will get warm as the engine warms, but then it gets cool again when it starts to overheat bad.

Arieldouglas- I had the short block assembled by a family friend who is a retired mechanic/car guy with his own shop. It's possible that he made a mistake but I think it's safe to figure he did his part right.

What year is the motor? Does it need a reverse flow pump?

What heads are you running? Some chevy heads have different water passages, and need the gaskets orented right or no water will get to the back of the heads.

Are you running an electric or mechanical fan?

If elec. is it a pusher or a puller? I have seen elec. fans wired backwords and are then blowing the air the wrong way.

If mech. is it close enough to the rad? Do you have a fan shroud? Is the fan large enough? Do the blades have the right set to them? (yes they make fans for either direction) Is it a clutch fan? If so is the clutch working?

You said the weep hole was on top, but then called it a drainplug thingy. A weep hole is just a small open hole on the bottom of the pump, no plug in it.

Did you check to make sure the rad. is full? Some times air will get trapped in the heater core. The system will seem full, but have an air pocket.

Stock harmonic balancers have been known to spin the outer ring when they get worn out. I had a v6 in an S blazer come in with the outer ring completly off. Yes v8 balencers are made the same as v6.(for G.M. at least) If you find the balancer to be in good shape, just the wrong zero mark, you could refind #1 TDC and put a timing tape on the balancer, then you would have good marks. Will at TDC I would try to drop the dizzy again, sounds like you may be a tooth off.

Also a lean condition (fuel mixture not rich enought) can cause a car to run hot, but it usally takes some time. Although I have seen headers glow from a lean mixture.

Sorry to through so much at you at once. Just start with the easiest and work you way through them one at a time.

Chris55 wrote:Stock harmonic balancers have been known to spin the outer ring when they get worn out. I had a v6 in an S blazer come in with the outer ring completly off. Yes v8 balencers are made the same as v6.(for G.M. at least) If you find the balancer to be in good shape, just the wrong zero mark, you could refind #1 TDC and put a timing tape on the balancer, then you would have good marks.

I've had them spin on Fords as well but always replaced them. Just didn't trust them to come apart at the worst possible time after they moved.

Arieldouglas wrote:

Chris55 wrote:Stock harmonic balancers have been known to spin the outer ring when they get worn out. I had a v6 in an S blazer come in with the outer ring completly off. Yes v8 balencers are made the same as v6.(for G.M. at least) If you find the balancer to be in good shape, just the wrong zero mark, you could refind #1 TDC and put a timing tape on the balancer, then you would have good marks.

I've had them spin on Fords as well but always replaced them. Just didn't trust them to come apart at the worst possible time after they moved.

Thats why I said " If you find the balancer to be in good shape, just the wrong zero mark."

I very much appreciate the discussion folks.

To respond to your suggestions Chris55, I have a 90's era block that I purchased on the running car with the water pump on it. I guess I don't know for sure if it's the right pump, but it is reverse driven( I determined this by the smooth pulley). I have and electric fan with a shroud, no idea if those are from a v8 Camaro or original to the 3.1L chassis. I replaced the harmonic balancer, and the plugs are darker than tan, lighter than brown.

I think that what I was calling a drain plug is a port for a heater line or something, but there is a little open hole next to it that seems like a weep hole. I'm going to take a picture of it and see what you guys think.

If the pump is upside down the water hose will be pointing up. If it's on right the hose will be pointing down.

Hey Nate,
You figure out your temp problem yet?

No I went to Colorado to spend the holidays with the lady friend's family. The water pump is definitely right side up. I took it apart and checked it out, everything seems fine. I guess the weakest link/most suspicious part of the equation seems to be my methods. I'm going to just try carefully putting everything together and topping it off as it warms up... I don't know what else to do.

Thank you for your interest

Just make sure you burp all the air out of it. I took in a Dodge Intrepid with a leaking thermostat. Once I found the dang thing and bought a book to change it out without breaking more things than necessary, I had a heck of a time getting all the air out of it. Another lesson in staying away from Mopars.