Gang,

I am just getting started on my next project. Buddy, my stock '46, is running well so it's time to start on the hotrod.

As a bi of an introduction: I bought the project six years ago from the widow of the guy who started it. He was an airplane mechanic so the truck is done nicely. The first problem that I have is that the 350 has radiator water in the oil. The oil was in layers when I drained it with the top layer being an grayish emulsion of oil and water. The engine and drivetrain are installed on the chassis, but the radiator support is not. I am thinking that he ran it for a less than 15 minutes just to check things out before installing the front sheet metal.

My questions: Is there some sort of ram-down test to check to see if it is a head gasket? I was thinking to pressurize the cooling system and listen for leaks. But how do I do this" What pressure? Where do I listen? How do I listen? Do I forget about any tests and just remove the heads? Does anyone have other ideas on how to find the problem?

Thanks in advance.

Michael Lubitz
(512) 306-1681
'46 3/4 ton stock named, "Buddy"
'49 three window hotrod