Hello All:

1967 Volvo 122S Wagon. As you are all sick of hearing by now, I replaced burnt valves, then chased a knock, then had an overheating problem. Only the first condition has been rectified, but I am close to solving condition three. Two might follow - we shall see.

I removed the thermostat, tested it in a pot with a candy thermometer. It opened and closed when expected - sweet.

Bolted the beast back on, refilled the radiator (for about the fourteenth time since Thanksgiving, incidentally) and warmed Virginia up. No fluid ever came splashing through the top radiator hose. Even when I squeezed it several times. Even when I squeezed the bottom radiator hose. I opened the drain cock for a split second just to make sure we had coolant there - we do. I rapped on the thermostat with a wrench to ensure it was not stuck - still no flow back into the radiator.

It looks like a water pump folks, but the natural question is 'why?'. The car is 40 years old. Over 2,000 weeks and the pump dies the week I freshen the cylinder head? Seems a bit odd to me. If I need a new water pump I want to sort it out today. Is this something I can get at my local auto parts place or must I go through our friends at IPD? I am happy to give them my business but I was hoping to bolt this thing on tomorrow and get on my way. We are approaching the four-week mark of Virginia being out of commission, and that is simply unacceptable.

Cheers,

Jeff Pucillo