The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Overheated What to Look For? - UPDATE!

Threw the fan belt on my 1948 low pressure 235 last night. I was a fair distance from home, with no where to stop safely, no tools to replace the belt, and no-one to call, so I had to limp it home.

During the course of getting her home, she got very hot, pegging the temp gauge. Wasn't sounding at all good, but continued running.

This morning, she started back up fine and sounded good. No initial indications of any issues.

What should I be watching for, in the event I caused some or more damage than I think I might have?

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge.

She still runs, which is a good sign. It takes a lot of heat to screw up one of these engines, and I think that you're probably fine. But, better to be safe than sorry...

Usually, when an engine overheats, you need to look out for the following:

Blown head gasket (Usually on engines with aluminum heads, but it can happen to cast iron)

Damaged pistons, rings, or bearings (Did it ping at all? That usually means that the gasoline is detonating instead of burning)

Water hoses - did any burst?

Radiator - Weak points can burst if it gets hot enough

How's your coolant/water level? Did any of it boil away? They say that in an unpressurized cooling system, the 50/50 mix will boil at 225° F, and slightly higher if the mix is 70/30.

Keep us posted. Hopefully, I'm right, and there's nothing wrong with it.

You could warm it up and then drain the hot oil in a clean pan. Put it in sunlight and look for metal particles.Look for small shiny particles or any signs of gray indicating excessive wear. If you see nothing then just refill and forget it. The oil probably lost it's viscosity from the excessive heat and needs changing anyway.

Curt B.

Brendan and I.B. Thanks for the info.

I'm really hoping that everything made it through the ordeal ok. I tend to overthink/worry about these types of issues, but just want to make sure.

I'm not really sure of the current status of the radiator or fluid levels. Hoses all seemed to be okay. There was some antifreeze residue blown across the valve cover, but I'm assuming (until I have a better chance to look it over) that it was from the radiator boiling over.

You mentioned 225 as being a boiling point for a 50/50 mix. According to my gauge, it was at least there.

Internal damage and/or head gasket is my main concern at this point. Hoses and such are quick/cheap fixes in comparison.

The changing the oil is a good idea, and cheap insurance.

I'll try and get it all checked out this weekend and report back on my findings.

Keep your fingers crossed.

I'd forgotten about the viscosity thing...

Yeah, probably a good plan to change the oil.

If you don't find any coolant in the oil or vice versa and you're not losing coolant and all cylinders are firing...well, there's a real good chance you're gonna be ok.

The oil change and test for metal particles is a good idea, but finding a few particles my or may not be an indication of a problem. Now a WHOLE BUNCH of metal is a completely different story. But I'd think that would be accompanied by some other symptoms like lotsa steam out the exhaust, knocking or other bad noises. If ya don't got none o' these, then yer prolly ok.

Ray,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. You guys have eased a heavy burden from my mind today.

Based upon the short bit I ran it this morning, I'm thinking I'll probably be okay. But, I guess I won't really know, until I check the oil, let her run a bit, and get her up to temperature.

See if the oil smells real bad. If it smells "cooked", keep an eye on things like oil comsumption and smoke out the tail pipe.
Scott

Thanks for all of the insightful information.

This morning, I finally got around to putting a new belt on, refilling the coolant, and changing the oil.

Glad to say, she started up and ran like a charm. Nothing odd in the oil, and no strange noises. I did have a slight panic attack, as I let her sit in the driveway running. When she got up to operating temperature, she spit a small bit of anti-freeze on the drive. Turned out I'd over filled the radiator just a tad.

I was so happy, I jumped in her and drove her to work today. On the way, I got a couple of "thumbs-ups", and had a truck load of concrete finishers pull me over to take a look.

Life in a Bolt is great.

Whew.

You lucked out.

I'm glad.

I did! But, I'm completely OK with that.

Thanks!