Seem have an issue with the white Capri. It keeps leaking out the overflow. In saying that I drove about two weeks ago got to my destination with steam and water coming out the bonnet. Opened it up and the radiator cap was missing waited for Nrma and he found the cap in the motor ( I was looking for about half an hour and he saw it straight away) we refitted with new water and drove around the block and water kept coming out the overflow without it even being hot (waited for 1hr 45mins for them to come) the top radiator hose was really stiff and hot and bottom hose cold. So we pulled the thermostat and he reckoned it stuck closed. So we cut the end off and put just the housing back in which seemed to fix it. Now though whenever I drive it and especially like today it just comes out but my temperature gauge is not overally abnormal( it's well before halfway on the gauge). In the past two weeks after the cap came off and I don't know how that happened for starters, I have radiator flushed it twice and got a new radiator cap. Yesterday I pulled the valve covers and retourqued the heads to 80 pounds as it was meant to be a reco motor and don't think anything was done after bedding in. All this in vain and today at 38degrees in the shade she just leaks like the proverbial. Drives well feels too hot but has no proper thermostat just its housing and I'm buggered to know what it is. I was taught to bleed all air from radiator so am sure it can't be overfilled. The motor water jackets might be blocked but I doubt it. And I'm not confident that the head gasket is blown (but now I'm not confident with any of it). Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. Only thing to try now is pull the heads and replace the gaskets but just not sure it's the issue.

does sound like a head gasket / cracked head....

With the radiator cap off and radiator full of water, are there any bubbles?
Pressure Test the complete cooling system.  This will identify if there is a leak, then locate.
Any water in the oil?
 
Regards
John

id try the pressure test before doing anything else
 
my car was doing it as well not a capri and was the radiator cap rubber seal ..but since you have a new one dont think its that not sure what the psi rating for the v6 capri radiator caps are
 
but sounds like a head gasket ,,,

I know I'm trying not to understand you but I'm thinking the only answer. If I pull the heads they need crack testing and machining and blah blah blah which means I lose my chosen transport over xmas. If I do it then contemplating converting it to Dport heads and manifold which I have and hoping for a C3 conversion. That's all I can do for the girl to update from its current stats unless varying from original. Understand then not original bit more driveable though.

I pressure tested it as well and no signs of leaks. Car started fine and no major pressure loss after 30 minutes. But water comes out the radiator overflow. Dammned bloody old girl. Things I've learnt. Check and clean your fuel tank and radiator before you install and drive. But still I swear it's a good motor so head gasket and hone it will be.

Seems to bubble but not excessive. Rev it up and water goes down not up. Will overflow with the xtra heat after wards though.

Always try simplest/cheapest options first before jumping the gun.
 
When engine is cold remove radiator cap make sure coolant is full and start engine and let idle for a few minutes (only).
Do you see a constant stream of air bubbles appearing in the coolant?
 
If answer is no:
Remove radiator and take to repairer and ask for flush and reverse flush and pressure test and repair if necessary.
Reinstall and run engine without radiator cap (as above).
 
Let us know results and if there is any change.

its been that long since I had over heating probs - would a compression test show a stuffed head gasket?

Is it a constant stream of bubbles?