So I redid my heads gaskets on my 89 chevy pickup with a 350. Had my heads rebuilt at the same time.

Now when I run the truck, the temp gauge continues to climb past the redline and the check gauge light comes on. I dont think it is actually getting that hot. I replaced the temp sending unit and the temp switch with no luck. I have tried "burping" it a couple times, with no luck.

Shortly before we realized it was a head gasket leak, I had changed the thermostat.

I am at a loss on which way to go right now. The parts counter guy is making me second geuss my install. he asked me if I installed the intake gaskets correctly, I believe I did, I remember having special instructions with the gasket kit for the intake install.

Any suggestions short of removing the intake to check the gaskets?

 

The first thing to do is decide if it is overheating. Stick your wifes candy thermometer in the filler neck and see what the temp is. They will usually show around 20 degrees less than the thermo temp. You didnt forget to hook up the ground strap on the back of the R Head did you?

 

Well I just pulled the intake and I did have the gaskets in correctly.

I did rehook the ground on the rear of the engine, but I lost that jagged washer. After I get the intake back on I will redo the ground. Man I am going to kick myself if that was it.

 

changed the water pump. ALso got a digital temp gun.

At normal running temp, I measure the head right next to the temp switch and am getting around 210 F. Is this normal?

My temp gauge in the truck at the same instant is reading at the redline.

 

I beleive you have enough evidence to convict the temp gauge system.

 

dont know if I am being paranoid or what, but each time after I drive it and let it cool down, I take off the rad cap and it is a couple inches low. Shouldnt it be sucking from the overflow tank so theres no air in the system?

Also noticing that I can hear fluid flow in the heater core when I go around corners, I am assuming this means there is still air in the system, or else I am sucking air from some where.