too hot? radiator boil over and smoke from oil filler

[byersmtrco]

RE: too hot? radiator boil over and smoke from oil fil

Ok, now I know my guage is wrong (Like most 45 yr old cars)
I am going to use the info in the tech section of this site to calibrate it. When my engine is running at 180 deg (100 % sure on this) the guage is 3/4 of the way over (at the 5:00 posn with the needle btwn the M & the P) So of course just looking at that, I flipped out. But I did my high tech meat thermometer test in the surge tank, then to verify that we did the infra-red(spell chk) test at the shop. It never goes over 185. So if you want a true temp/gage reading best bet is an aftermarket under dash unit. Or just calib yours. Even if it's a little off, as long as you know where you are with it.

John Byers

ps
Body shop is almost done with it . . .
Lookin' SWEET !!!!!!!!!

________
Halfbaked

[BlackBird58]

RE: too hot? radiator boil over and smoke from oil fil

Update on my radiator overflow problems:

I bought the TBird in to my mechanic. He thinks my radiator is clogged with sludge from inside my engine, reducing flow and causing the overflow at high rpms. Since running cleaner through didn't solve the problem, he suggested pulling the motor and cleaning the coolant passages and cleaning out the radiator at the same time as the way to cure the problem. Any thoughts?

Mel

[byersmtrco]

RE: too hot? radiator boil over and smoke from oil fil

My old 390 had the same problem. Eng needs to be disassembled then the block and heads hot tanked. Then rebuild your engine. Watch out though, when you go into these machine shops and say "FE engine" either their eyes light up with dollar signs, or they turn and run.
You say you're from Oakland? I'm in San Jose.


John Byers

________
Wife double penetratio

[BlackBird58]

RE: too hot? radiator boil over and smoke from oil fil

Actually I'm from Alameda. Next weekend, October 8, there's a big car show on Park Street - something like 400 cars expected. I'll be showing my T-bird there along with some from the NorCal TBird club.

More info:
[a href="http://www.shopparkstreet.com/special_events/classic_car_show.html" target="_blank"]Park Street Car Show[/a]

Mel

[JohnG]

RE: too hot? radiator boil over and smoke from oil fil

At this point, if I were you, I would take the radiator off, take it to a radiator shop and get it flushed and tested. You have to do this anyways, it is relatively cheap (if the radiator is still good, you will spend maybe $50), and you will know how good or bad the radiator itself is. If you can get it rejuvenated to good condition then you can reinstall it and see how good the car runs (in terms of heat management). If it runs ok for a bit and then it clogs up, the mechanic you spoke of was right. If the problem goes away, you win!

If the radiator is original, be prepared for the worst - you need a new core. This is a bummer ($3-400) but has to be done in order for the engine to ever run properly. It sure beats having the motor taken apart though!!

When you put things back together, a) use distilled water with the new coolant and b) get a quart of Liquid Kool (about $4). both cheap things that make some difference.

All these things should be tried before hauling the motor out, in my opinion.

John
'58 Hardtop

[byersmtrco]

RE: too hot? radiator boil over and smoke from oil fil

Mel,

Are you in Norcal?
Shoot, I have to work on the 8th. Sounds like a good show.
My wife is the editor of "The Wing" the bi-monthly publication
from Norcal.

John Byers

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MAGIC FLIGHT

[BlackBird58]

RE: too hot? radiator boil over and smoke from oil fil

John,

I'm in Alameda. I got the Sept/Oct issue of The Wing - nice articles. Perhaps once I get the overflow issue under control I'll come to a cruise.

Take care,
Mel