Just started up " new engine" - with issues...

[JRL]

Hi,

the new stroker I was supposed to put in the car was delayed from the machine shop so i "trew" the old block back in with some parts i had laying around, to be able to use the car in our wedding.

The motor is now stock bottom with trw slugs, 9:1 compression, and a 7quart oil pan.
camshaft is a mech. roller .600 lift, 250 duration @ .050.
Heads are heavily ported and milled 906, with a stock six pack intake manifold with no port match at all - terrible port match...

carbs have pro max billet plates 65 jets in center and 82 and 83 jets on the secondaries. 7,5 hg power valve.

Ignition is MSD 7 power grid. 13 degree bottom and 35 degree on top. Stock heavy MSD springs.

My problem is I get no pressure or temprature in cooling system. Temp gets to approx. 130f. Probably have a leak on the head gaskets as there a little bit white smoke coming out of the exhaust, but there is no bubbeling in the radiator or water in the oil. The exhaust does not smell like coolant, but a little bit of petrol and oil.


I'm also not shure what to think of the plugs. If anyone have a oppinion of how they look feel free to tell me.

So what do you guys think? Shold I start tearing the motor apart again, or would it be OK to use it as it is for a short while?

The motor itself runs really nice with 14 hg vacuum, and runs really strong.

 

[dieseldazzle]

Have you ran these heads before? On a different engine? Did you mag them?

 

[JRL]

No, they are new to me. Bought them directly from a well known machine shop in the US. With the workmanship involved it would not be a surprize if they where cracked upon arrival. Unfortiently they have been sitting on the shelf for years before I disassebled them and saw how bad they where. Anyway no point in taking that discussion now.
If I had some brains, I should have had them checked for cracks before installing them...

 

[miller]

No pressure or temp in the cooling system? Are you sure the thermostat is opening?
If you have a cooling system pressure tester, I'd suggest doing that check. If it doesn't hold, might call for pulling the heads. It will show if there's a leak, or crack, somewhere. And keep track of all the fluids in the motor, to be sure none are mixing.

 

[slepr1]

Could it be as easy as a bad rad cap? I see a little white smoke out the exhaust on almost all older cars. Your oil will be foamy if oil is mixing with antifreeze. You could also do a hydrocarbon test to see if you have a head gasket leak. Post your findings.

 

[magnumdart]

Is 130 degrees F accurate? At that temp there will be little pressure or flow I would guess. that is, if the thermostat is correct. You could just take the thermostat out and let it warm up without the cap, just look for flow. Maybe the thermostat is upside down. Sometimes a lower hose that collapses can be a problem. Just do as already suggested, and be sure fluids are not mixing. You can always take samples and have them checked.
,

 

[skrcsmith4]

I agree could be as simple as thermostat upside down or bad. Check easy stuff first

 

[Garys1969RR]

Put in a new thermostat

- - - Updated - - -

I agree could be as simple as thermostat upside down or bad. Check easy stuff first

I agree, white smoke usually isn't an issue. Could be high humidity. Drive it around for a bit, see if it works ok.

- - - Updated - - -

Try a new 180 degree T Stat. Check to see if your gauge is working ok.

- - - Updated - - -

My 451 hardly ever builds any pressure unless its over 100 degrees. Radiator is getting rid of heat real well.

 

[JRL]

I took out the thermostat with same result.
As this just is a temporary solution I poured in a box of Bars leaks which reduced smoke, but still just 130 f in the coolant. Meashured about 70 celsius (150 f) in the radiator.
Most likely I have a leak somewhere, but i thought this would cause the cooling system to over heat and boil.
Will have to get me a test kit and check the coolant.

 

[dvw]

If the head gasket(s) were leaking it would pressurize the coolant system and overheat. It appears to be doing neither. What is the issue? Low temp? T-stat stuck open.
Doug

 

[magnumdart]

Unless it is using coolant I'm not convinced you have an issue at all. 150 degrees F is not even minimally warmed up.

 

[Garys1969RR]

Put in a new 180 degree T Stat. It wont build any pressure or heat with no T Stat. I don't think there is much of a problem there.

 

[miller]

If you have a coolant leak 'somewhere' in the system, it's going to depend on where, and what's leaking.

Either going to leak to the outside...or, could only leak internally, and would mix with the oil, showing whitish foam.
Only other thing I can think of is, if the leak is straight into one of your cylinders. But, even that would slowly drain back into the oil pan.

Good luck on it.

 

[Garys1969RR]

One way to see if you really have a leak: Is the coolant level in the radiator dropping? Is coolant going away, and you see no obvious signs on the ground, then you prob have an internal leak. Drive it around awhile, check it out. Any updates?

 

[roadrunner69440]

If the head gasket(s) were leaking it would pressurize the coolant system and overheat. It appears to be doing neither. What is the issue? Low temp? T-stat stuck open.
Doug

what it sounds like to me . If the t stat was stuck closed it would build temp , overheat and build pressure , as well as upside down stat . Could be a bad rad cap also . Can't be much more than these couple things , all else causes overheating

 

[magnumdart]

Not hearing much from OP. Must be on ahoneymoon.

 

[Bigal75]

I'm not seeing an issue here LOL...

 

[JRL]

Well, work and family also need some attention so I haven't done anything the last couple of days. Ordered me a new termostat so we'll see what happens.

 

[miller]

Be sure to test it, before putting it in!! Just takes a pan of water on the stove.

Just because it's new (and probably improved), don't mean it will actually work. Hell, they got your money, right?

 

[JRL]

Just a little update. Lookin at the termostat I discovered the groove being too deep. Made an o-ring to make it seal and temrature got right up to 170f before the termostate opened. This was a 160f termostate so at least the temprature issue seems to be solved.

still no pressure in the cooling system but the temp dropped too low after it opened. Just have to wait for the new 180f.

Getting higher temp on the motor made most of the smoke go away also. Thinking it might be condens from the exhaust.

But offcourse I have a problem with the fuel pressure now. Usually it's 4 psi at idle, but often dropping to 0-1 psi. No flooding or any visual leaks. Where should I start...