I'm not sure if I have a problem with my cooling system or not. I just got this 69 SS this past winter and haven't really driven it more than a few miles. I notice that the upper radiator hose gets very firm, as though there is something blocking the system. Should the hose be so firm that it can barely be squeezed? It has a new radiator and new 180 degree thermostat. I tested the 'stat in boiling water(it opened), and it is installed correctly. I flushed the system with one of those prestone kits thinking the heater core was clogged. It seems clear. If I leave the radiator cap off after letting it run for a while, I can see that coolant is flowing through the radiator. It is a 402 big block with headers. Is it possible I'm not allowing it to heat up enough? I don't have a temp guage, just the idiot light. I know I need to get a guage, but untill then I'm nervous about letting it run too long and risking over heating the engine. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.
Dennis S

------------------

yes, it's suppose to pressurize, what's the temp running??? if you don't have a good guage on it, get 1, cuz the idiot lights don't come on untill it's 240* or so..

------------------
1970 SS396 AKA 454/4spd
My Chev-Hell Page (http://hometown.aol.com/jnkb2cool/home.html)
Member #783
Ft.Worth, Tx
Big Block Chevy.net (http://www.bigblockchevy.net)
proud owner of this site
(oo|ss|oo)

The upper hose will be firm after the stat opens because of pressure in the system, a good thing. Read the top of the radiator cap and it will say something about pounds of pressure. You still need a good temp guage because just because you have pressure doesn't mean you are cool. Well you maybe but the the motor might not be.

Thanks for the input guys! It's probably ok, but I will get a guage to be safe.