Smallport AE71 Overheating issues/cluster issue, well I think so

[pauliee]

hey there guys,

Car - AE71

motor / part in question - Smallport 4age

problem - Overheating

i realise this has been covered before, but the threads were rather old and lacked any conclusions.

The issue is im currently having is my smallport will gradually overheat. Over approx 10-15 minutes the car will gradually rise to the last point on the gauge.

Im using a alloy radiator, as well as new genuine water pump and all new gaskets.

The thing thats confuses me is , if I take it for a squirt, on an uphill slope, the car temp gauge will drop, and vise versa on the downhill it'll rise. the gauge seems to rise and fall as it feels fit. I've replaced the thermostat and tested it prior in boiling water. As well as this, if i drain the radiator after driving it from the bottom valve, the water is not overly hot, say luke warm. My mate also mentioned he doesn't think its even up to pressure.

Which leads us to question whether the clusters playing up. Prior to the conversion, the dash worked 100%. Since then, the dash clock and backlight are not longer working, and speedo will fidget when the either indicator is switched on, as well as when the left or right indicator lights flicking in time, no matter which indicated (left or right) is pushed.

So i guess im asking whether anyone has had a similar issue, and wether its sounds to you buffs if it is mechanical or an issue with my cluster/sensor/dash wiring.

cheers,