Peugeot 2.3 diesel overheating

[kustomtony]

i have a Peugeot 2.3 diesel engine (out of a ford sierra) and I've fitted it complete with the 5 speed gearbox into my 1959 ford zephyr.
i am using the sierra radiator/pipework and expansion tank but I've had to remove the viscous fan due to clearance problems.
my problem is overheating!....i removed the thermostat....this made no difference.i do intend fitting a kenlowe electric fan but i thought as its cold and frosty today i should be OK with no fan at all.
are these 2.3 engines known to run hot? and is there a way to bleed the water system?......and will fitting an electric fan make any difference?.
thanks guys

[504gld]

The operating temp for the stat is only 72 degrees C so you need to keep it cool. The magnetic fan on my 504 is kaput as well but it has only in the last couple of weeks shown to be a problem after long motorway driving. I known Dean Hunters's 504 Cabriolet with diesel transplant had clearance problems too so he cut down the length of the fins. I'm going to go the kenlowe route myself shortly. To bleed its a good idea to fit a header bottle to the expansion tank so its a good few feet in the air. Fill and run the engine at a very fast tick over until all the air is out of the bottle. In 504 / 505 you shouldnt need to do this, but if you are having air lock probs its wise to do so.

[garrydog]

Hi
I had ran one of these engines for 13yrs in a sierra ,it had an overheating prob from 30,000 miles.it turned out to be a crack in the cylinder head in between the valves .I had the crack repaired but did not last long.found another head in a srapper prob solved.
It was the crack in the cylinder head that was presurising the head ,and stopping the water circulating.

[504gld]

oddly enough mine is now behaving itself like nothing had ever happened, all I did was a very cheap fix of black pvc electrical tape around the two discs of the electromatics fan coupling and hey presto it runs all the time. I have noticed a benefit as well, becuase when the stat opens which it does quickly even on cold days, the extra fan action, closes more quickly too once cooled meaning I get a more effective heater in the cold.