Hi,
I just recently purchased a 1966 volvo 122s, it started over heating on the drive home from where i bought it. It was a drive of about 90 miles. When i got home i opened it up and looked at it and noticed a loose drive belt. i tightened it and still it was overheating, i took it to my local volvo shop, and we discovered there was no thermostat. The mechanic said it could be a blown head gasket, but the engine runs smooth and quiet. Could it be as simple as a new thermostat? Any help is appreciated.
Jim

 

Welcome Jim,

Yes, could just need a new thermostat. Your best bet is to do a compression test and a leak down test. That will tell you if the engine is healthy or not.

Also, check the coolant and engine oil for anything that should not be in there. If everything is clean and you past the tests, then you will be good to go.

 

Welcome to the forum.
Start simple. Put in a thermostat and then go from there.

 

they are doing both the compression and leak down test on the engine but i havent gotten the results yet, thank you fir your answers i just wanted to know if i was in for a few hundred dollar or few thousand dollar repair

 

oh also there was no exhaust gas in the radiator but there was stop seal(i think its called, little silver flakes) in the coolant