Hi Jobe, first, what is the story on that 2.1L, was it running fine before?
Also, what is the story ont hat van, was it overheating before?
Are you sure it's overheating? I mean can you check with an infrared temps gun?

Did you use any used parts on all those parts?

Is the new rad comme very hot, does the fan start?

I'm just trying to pinpoint the problem! eliminate some stuff.

Cooling hoses, are they under pressure, hot everywhere?

Do you have a way to check the oil temps?

With a new rad and all the parts you have changed, i don't see how the
system could be dificult to bleed.
you may have a electrical short or a false reading somewhere.

The only thing left to do is to pressure test the cooling system.

May i ask how you bleed the van?

Keep us to date.

Ben
http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm

------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recently put a 2.1l in an 86 Westy that had been sitting for 5 years.
Along the way I replaced a ton of parts... distributor, cap, rotor, spark
plugs, radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, thermostat (several times),
thermo fan switch, temp sensor... and the list goes on.

After starting the new motor, a head gasket leak was suspected, and a
compression test and leak test was done with good results. It has been
timed, and the van seems to run great but gets way too hot. I have bled it,
and bled it, and bled it... There may be a couple of very minor hose leaks,
but the temp keeps climbing even as I bleed it.

I did alot of the work myself and have been through 3 mechanics. The last of
which thought that some object must be stuck in the system (ie. a rag, a
plug, a dead mouse, etc.) I went through and found nothing.

ANY other possibilities?

Thanks, Jobe Pilgrim