[Daniel Jones]

> My just completed 351C seems to be running pretty hot ie: 220 and puking
> when at idle. The thermostat is 180 degree and I have a fan that comes on
> at 190 degree. Any ideas where I can start to get this thing sorted out?
> Air locks etc?

Are you absolutely sure you have a 351C thermostat and that the block
still has the brass ring in it? The Cleveland uses a special thermostat.
They have a shoulder which is sized to match the brass restrictor ring in
the block (make sure it's there) which other thermostats do not have.
Using a Windsor thermostat (which the parts counter monkeys will give you
half the time) will lead to over-heating because coolant will bypass the
radiator. The same thing happens if you remove the thermostat. I recommend
the Robert Shaw 351C thermostat. It's quick acting and has bleed provisions
(ball bearing check valve).

Puking at idle after a rebuild can also come from using the wrong head
gaskets or putting them on backwards. There should be a tab sticking
out from between the block and heads on both sides that says "front".

Check to make sure the lower radiator hose isn't collapsing (there should
be a spiral winding inside the lower hose to keep it from collapsing).

Dan Jones