Rebuilt B16a overheating, any ideas?

Here's a run down:

Engine threw a rod so we rebuilt it (professionally)
Engine now runs like a charm.
However, it's overheating.

All hoses are properly located
Coolent is good
Thermostat and water pump have been replaced with new
Top radiator hose fills with hot air as the engine overheats
Lower hose doesn't get hot at all
Heater hoses get no heat, and thus no warm air into car

We're tired of the car sitting on the lift, but we're doing the job for a friend and need to get it done.

Anyone have any suggestions we could try? I've searched through the forums enough and not found anything that's helped. Thanks for any help you can provide.

(Oh, one more thing, the engine was from a 95 Del Sol, DOHC VTEC if that is important)

Andy

does the fan come on?

yeah check to see if the fan comes on. also could be air in the system. maybe have a bad heater core as well. kinda sounds like thermostat though. good luck

Yes, the fan comes on. Everything else works as it should. Here's an update.

The temp finally levels off after reaching 200 (on a 170 stat). Seems to be stable and under countrol. Still no heat in the car, we think the core rusted or clogged since it sat dry for about a month. Though there may be some problem we're not seeing that'll come up.

Thank You
Andy

I am far from an expert, but I had this exact thing happen to me when I bought a new thermostat. It was sticking shut.

Oz

hmm went the engine threw a rod how far was it bored out? Did you get oversized rings or pistons. Engines that have oversized rings tend to run much hotter!

I am far from an expert, but I had this exact thing happen to me when I bought a new thermostat. It was sticking shut.

Oz

agree, even new ones fail like a Genuine Honda one that I bought and only lasted a week.

hmm went the engine threw a rod how far was it bored out? Did you get oversized rings or pistons. Engines that have oversized rings tend to run much hotter!
They do? Never heard that one before. :rolleyes:

Try burping your coolant system a little better.

you can check the rad cap. if that is bad it can effect the cooling system. buy a new one. go down the line with the cheapest and easeist things