Likely. It happens. As long as your water pump is pumping I'd say thermo is culprit

Don't mean to question your intelligence, but is the thermostat installed correctly? If it's put in upside down, everything will still go together with no problem, but the stat would take MUCH longer to open.

I would do as was suggested a few posts back.....take the stat out, toss a pot of water on the stove and bring it up to a good boil, then carefully drop your stat in it. If it opens right up, then the problem is elsewhere, if it doesn't open up, then you need a new stat.

- Justin

DO NOT 'drop' the stat in, as it needs to be off the bottom of the pot. Then put a cooking thermometer in the water (again, off the bottom of the pot). Then check it that way.

Another thing is to drill 2-3 small 1/8" holes around the edge of the stat so water (and any trapped air) can circulate out.

Have a friend that had heating issues. Ended up being a small air pocket around the temp sensor and he had to 'leak' it out to get rid of it.

Hey Justin, didn't you post that EXACT SAME THING like months ago ?? :?:

8-) maybe someone else ?

When I've tested thermostats I've hung them in the water with a wire shirt hanger.

i've never done it, just heard

Yes, hanging them in the pot would be better.....any maybe I did post the same thing before. I didn't copy and paste though, I swear

- Justin

Their was like no water in the radiator!!!! I filled it up ran the motor with the cap off to get all the air out and it sits at 165 even whilst burning rubber down my street like a bat out of hell...yes I got the carb back and was able to drive the car and tear the rubber up!! But its missfiring/hesitating still needs some tuning but even with the hesitating it has more power than before!!

Hurray! Great success!

.....remember to check your oil too! :wink: