1965 318 cooling problem

I have a 1965 Barracuda with a Chrysler 318. Having an issue with half of the cooling system. The back half of the cooling pump draws immediately with good flow, but the front half does not seem to draw at all. Within a couple of minutes the front of the pump is very hot (back side cool) and the driver side manifold is very hot (other side normal). Impellers appear to be fine. Tried priming it and running a hose etc but nothing seems to help. Could the manifold, or the cooling ports in the engine be clogged? If so would running CLR through it clean out any rust etc?

Any ideas and help would be greatly appreciated. Already had the drivers side manifold crack once due to heat. Don't want to risk anything else.

Thanks!
Tom

Tom,
Have you looked at the Chrysler manual cooling Schematic?
You have a dual pocket (two impeller) RWP (raw water pump). Put two new impellers in it and see what happens. You haven't by chance been running the engine without water hooked up? The rubber impellers are water lubricated and without water, it doesn't take long to burn them up!

Also, I did look at the schematic and all looks good.

THutchins wrote: the left side gets hot at the front. but stays fairly cool at the back of the engine, Thanks!

How "hot" and how "fairly cool"? IR temp guns are pretty cheap these days and great for accurate temperatures but the rule of thumb is the human hand can take a constant 140 degrees

Now I have some checking to do! Mine are both getting fresh water from individual hull intakes.