Endless issues.

So got my mk1 back together 1.3 smallblock. 

When I flushed it  I flushed the block, rad both ways, matrix etc. 

Put a new water pump on etc, new stat. 

Filled with coolant and it still doesn't seem to flow properly.. the system never gets properly pressurised, no flow of coolant back to the expansion tank. Fan kicks in but temp gauge still not working. 

Also noticed it puffs out white smoke when I rev it. 

Shall I just give up and engine convert it?

Gonna pull all the pipe work off and check for blockages I think. 

Bud Don't chuck the small block!  just work at it and you will get there.remove the thermostat and see if water circulates first as that is easy.

Daytona said

Bud Don't chuck the small block!  just work at it and you will get there.remove the thermostat and see if water circulates first as that is easy.

 Hey bud, it's behaving exactly the same as before I did all the stuff to it. 

It wasn't running a stat before… I only discovered this once I'd ripped the pump out and went to renew everything. 

So it had poor flow without a stat, and still has poor flow now with one, and a new pump. 

Literally doesn't pressurise , tried two expansion caps as well. 

Gotta be a blockage somewhere or maybe my pipe work is plumbed up wrong?

Someone has clearly gone through the motions I'm going through, judging by the bodges  that have been made. 

I've put it all right and still it behaves strangely. So all I can do next is pull all the coolant pipes and check them out for blocks. Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and renew the rad. I'm getting tired of throwing money at it though. 

The only experience I've had with these was a Mk1 Polo I once had.
 There was a bleeder for the coolant on the heater if I remember correctly, a small white screw in plug that you removed, filled the system until coolant appeared there, then put it back and topped up.
Only a thought.

Have you felt the pipes if they are all getting hot around the same temperature

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