1954 Corvette (early model)

[Robert V.]

The car is recently restored and on the first hot day it ran hot (213 per the laser thermometer) but did not boil over. The timing is set at 0 degrees per the manual. Would it help to increase the advance some? Also, does anyone have any recommendations on what is best to use to clean the exhaust smudge off the body (it has the short exhaust extensions).

[Al E.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Robert.. you may want to see if you have the right thermostat in. I've got one from Autozone and it was the wrong temp. I went back to change it and she was not overheating anymore. What a big difference a $4 part and 15 degrees can make. I would start there as its a common mistake.

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Was the engine recently rebuilt?
If so was the big block plug behind the water pump removed?
If not - it will never cool down and will always overheat regards of the T stat
Common mistake - engine restorers forget there is a difference between Vette blocks and passenger/truck blocks

[Robert V.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Thanks for your inputs, Al and Chris. The thermostat is a 160 degree that I got from Corvette Central. I rebuilt the engine myself and I removed all the plugs and had the block boiled out. It has about 400 miles on the engine now and it is the first time it got hot. I was in stop and go traffic on the freeway and once it got moving again the temperature went back down to normal. The only change was a newly rebuilt water pump and timing changed from 3 degrees advance to zero degrees. The bearing went bad on the first rebuild so I had the same pump rebuilt again (different rebuilder). I am tempted to go back to 3 degrees advance and see what happens.

[Eric F.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Robert,

I had a similar problem on a 56 V-8 and discovered it was a timing problem. I thought the overheating was the result of a problem in the cooling system; which makes total sense. Then I spoke with an old timer (funny to say that now that I'm almost 60) who suggested the overheating was the result of improper ignition timing. He suggested I use a vacuum gauge to set the timing rather than a timing light. It worked for me and others I've shared this with. I'm not saying this is the problem but it sure was an easy way to verify and solve the problem. Good luck!

Eric

[Todd H.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Has the radiator been replaced or checked out? I had mine re-cored because it had some small leaks, but the guy at the shop said the original core was almost totally plugged.

[Robert V.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Thanks for your inputs Eric and Todd. The radiator was re-cored and has just 400 miles on it. I am thinking of playing with the timing, Eric, but have never heard of using a vacuum gage to time it. How does that work? Can you give me some detail on what readings I should be looking for? The idea sounds intriguing.

[Eric F.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Robert,

Rather than re-type everything I have, I thought I would give you a link to a site that has all the information the "old timer" gave me. There is lots more information on the web but this will give you enough to determine if your overheating issue is the result of a timing problem. Here's the link http://www.ehow.com/how_8756861_use-...et-timing.html. Oh, and here's a great link for a wealth of information regarding the reading of a vacuum gauge. http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm.

Good luck!

[Robert V.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Thanks Eric. It looks pretty straight forward per the first link. I will give it a try. The second link wouldn't open. There is apparently something wrong with the site. I will try it later to see if it is straightened out.

[Guy M.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

This may be a dumb question but what is the procedure to check timing with a vacuum gauge? Thanks!

[Eric F.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Guy,

Here's a link that will guide you through the process. http://automotivemileposts.com/garage/v2n8.html

Good luck.
Eric

[Guy M.]

Re: 1954 Corvette (early model)

Thanks Eric, much appreciated!