131mirafiori forum

OK,
cars on the road and only now do i notice something strange (or is it).
As part of the work i  fitted a new water pump, didnt need one but as a precautionary measure and as the engine had been stood a while i thought it a good idea.
The engine is from a Strada Abarth, and i inadvertantly ordered a water pump for a 131 TC, initially they looked the same, however after fiting the pump to the block it was apparent the pulley would not fit over the centre spindle on the pump, no problem, with a small file i opened the pulley hole up about .5mm and all was OK.
Thats not the problem, pump is now fitted tensioned and seems OK, i have noticed however that when i start the engine i get a very high pressure in the top hose from the thermostat housing, the hose goes from soft to very very hard, almost impossible to squeeze between two fingers! Is this normal?
I have good compression so no leaks at the head gasket.
Steve

Is there a bypass hose issue perhaps? Perhaps it is air locked.

Because i have an efi set up fitted i have blocked off the by pass hose that used to go to the manifold.
Is that a possible cause?
If so what to do?
Steve

I think the bypass hose is there to allow flow when the thermostat is shut and may well prevent the symptoms you are having, not sure what to do about it though.

if im refering to the  right bypass hose, it was there to operate the automatic choke and the other end went to the heater pipe. i really need a photo of what set up you have.THE 131 AND TWIN CAM STRADA WATER PUMPS ARE NOT THE SAME!! THE STRADA HAS NO BOTTOM HOSE CONNECTION AS THIS RUNS UNDER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH A MUCH THICKER PIPE AND OVER THE GEARBOX BELL HOUSING TO THE THERMASTAT.your best bet is to have the heating on full with the engine running and try disconnecting various hoses to get the air out that way