ok, I have an adjustable fuel regulator, but the darn auto store gave me a compression tester instead of a fuel pressure tester. so until i can go get the correct part, i gotta assume my fuel pressure is the reason im still overheating. is it possible though, that my water pump is no good? what are the signs of a bad water pump?

 

It's unlikely that your FP is causing the overheating. A bad water pump is one that's leaking. If it's not leaking, it's likely fine. Is you fan(s) coming on? Have you tried changing the thermostat?

 

could be the fan...just replaced one of the fan motors, the one on the drivers side, is that one the main fan or just the heater/AC fan? prolly should replace the other motor too... just replaced the thermostat today and thats why i was puzzled.

 

One fan is turned on by the ECM at around 220F. The second one is turned on by a switch in the passenger side head (or by a switch in the A/C compressor). It should come on around 235F. If you're overheating and both fans are not running, that's likely your problem.

 

havent looked at them while it was overheating...i'll give it a try. but then again, the way my car used to be, it never even got up to 220 unless i idled for a long time. It never got that high while i was driving it (so it wouldn't need the fan), but now it is. so something else may be wrong.

 

Does the radiator get as hot as the engine? If not, it might be a bad thermostat.

 

replaced the thermostat yesterday before i took it for a drive though