ka24de getting too hot??? tried everything

[first240vert]

I bought this vert for 2100 rebuilt motor/tranny 5 speed. Drove fine on the 3hr drive home but over heated 3 times cause the radiator had a leak so I had to keep putting water in it. I got it home and the next day noticed the head gasket blew. I replaced the head gasket, rad cap, upper hose, radiator, water pump, thermostat. Havent done the bottom hose yet but im thinking thats wat is causing it to still get hot. It stays normal then wen I start to drive it it will go up to the line above half way for a minute the kinda go up. I shut it off and let it cool before anything else happens. Im replacing the bottom rad hose tomorrow but im wondering if theres anything else I should look at. The bottom hose looks old and crap looks like it may be leaking and not letting enough water get through. Idk. I dont wanna do the head gasket again want this great problem figured out asap.

Thanks in advance

[silnv]

It is possible that the system still had air in it. These cars can sometime be a pain to "burp". Search for a write up on here on how to properly "burp" the coolant system.

Also since you blew your gasket from overheating, it is possible your head has been warped due to the heat. Did you have it milled? If your head is warped it can blow air into your system and cause heating problems.

That being said I would make sure there is no air in the system first.

[Gar9854]

Burp the coolant system.
I went out and bought a snap on spill-proof funnel just for this reason. If it'll hover just above normal then creep it's way up there's a bubble in there

[antigravity]

Also check your clutch fan to make sure the fan is even turning on...might as well throw in a new thermostat while you're at it assuming you've purged your radiator for air pockets..

[Kingtal0n]

there are a few things that can cause your symptoms. Everything mentioned so far, about air pockets in the engine, is completely true.

some possibilities:

timing is wrong (retarded timing causes high temperatures)
clutch fan is bad (easy to test, swap with another one)
thermostat is bad (stuck or filthy)
air pockets (as mentioned)

Did you remember to bleed the system with the bleeder bolt? there is a special bolt on the engine specifically for this purpose.

[pancakes562]

Mine doesn't overheat but my KA runs above average for some reason?? Kinda scares me sometimes...

[zurud]

Did you have the block and head checked for straightness when installing the hg? Overheating will warp your head and block.

[waxball88]

KA's are a PITA to bleed. Thank god the shop nextdoor has a vac bleeder.