Hey im new on here but i just bought a really clean 89 iroc with a tpi 305, with new radiator, thermostat, and water pump but after driving a few miles it starts to overheat so i was thinking it was the headgaskets does anyone know anything that could help me with it.

 

Define "overheat".

Tried a new radiator cap yet?

The fans work?

Sure it's the right WP? That car should have a serpentine system, which turns the pump backwards; putting the pump for an older car on there will pretty much guarantee weak coolant flow at best, usually not adequate, since even though it's a centrifugal design and therefore moves the fluid the same direction no mater which way it's spinning, the blades are MUCH more effective when going one way than the other.

 

I havent really checked out the serpentine system but the car smokes when i start it so i believe its burning oil leading to a head gasket or some other gasket maybe intake or exhaust?

 

Is it just a puff? If so, then it's just valve stem seals. Not a big deal. You can just ignore it for years if you want. Should be blue smoke.

If it continues to smoke after that, and it's whitish smoke, then maybe it's a headgasket.