There are a dozen or more reasons a Bird or any other car will overheat. In addition to the above mentioned reasons, I add the following: A) In any 35 something year old car, deosits of rust, calcium. and dirt settle to the bottom of the engine block- big time. The crap and corruption itself holds heat and when the engine is turned off, the heat is released to boil coolant . In addition when the coolant boils over , the crap & corruption goes gushing straight into your freshly cleaned radiator. Flushing the WHOLE coolant system is required to do it right. Note: the heater core is a mini radiator in itself and also accumulates rust etc. big time. The heater core must also be back flushed . B) Upper and lower radiator hoses must be replaced. They have a useful life of only 2-3 years top. Why? The water pump sucks coolant from the lower radiator hose as the pump circulates water. Ever notice the wire lining the inside of the lower radiator hose? The wire is there to stop the hose from collapsing as the water pump sucks coolant thru the hose. This wire has a useful life of 2-3 years even with "rust preventive" antifreeze. Also, 2 gallons of antifreeze is required at all times , to get SOME rust prevention throughout the cooling system. C) Incorrect timing of the engine will overheat the enging D) Kinked or bent transmission lines will cause overheating. 1 mechanic in 100 will put the lines back exactly in the line clamps where the factoy put them. E) Poor oil flow will cause overheating. Your oil pressure guage can read normal and still have a problem with oil volume. Oil voume is restricted by a clogged screen at the bottom of the oil pump. I have seen screens so plugged up just 1/2 inch of screen was left open to pass oil. F) Dragging brakes will overheat a engine. Drive a mile-get out- and lightly touck all hubcaps. Look for hubcap hotter than a pistol or hotter than the other hubcaps . A malfunctioning emergency brake release may be the culprit on the rear wheels or stuck caliper(s) on the front or neglected inspection maitenance of the shoes on the front. G) You will note all of the problems above originate with improper servicing at regular intervals according to the recommendations of Ford. Servicing at 10K 20K 30K intervals is only way to minimize "what's wrong".
