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| | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 222 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2007 Posts: 222 | Rebuilt 216 engine still being set up and timed, had cooling problems before but corrected them. Now, some year later the engine is suddenly running hot, and boiling over. Still working to adjust the carburetor but out of no where I note the overheating, Nothing else has been changed on the engine so what is causing the overheating problem? Some mentioned that the head bolts may need to be re torqued and another mentioned that the radiator cap must be a 0 lb cap, mine is a 4lb cap. Please, your advise is greatly needed.
Regards,
Dave
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 | If you didn't give the head a hot re-torque when the engine was first put into service, you might have a leaky or blown gasket now. The most likely cause would be a stuck thermostat. Pull the stat and check it for opening temperature with a pan of hot water and a cooking thermometer. While it's out, fill the engine with water to the top of the thermostat housing, take the fan belt off, and start the engine. Quickly, goose the throttle a few times, and look for bubbles. If the head gasket is leaking, you'll see water gush out of the thermostat housing, or at least you'll get compression bubbles. The coolant will start to boil in less than a minute of running without the pump circulating, so be quick with your tests.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 222 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2007 Posts: 222 | Jerry:
I thought about the thermostat and will pull it as you advise, but both hoses are getting equally hot seemingly indicating that the thermostat is working? I thought about the re-torque, a friend said take the cap off the radiator and look for bubbles there, will this work as well? If the head gasket is not tight and blowing bubbles will a re-torque perhaps tighten the head gasket?
God bless,
Dave
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 | By the time you see bubbles in the radiator, things are in really bad shape. I'd suggest checking for bubbles at the engine, and pulling the belt to prevent any splash. If it's getting hot already, I doubt if a retorque will help.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | If you just filled this motor up with antifreeze, you could have air trapped in the system. Also, as far as the thermostat opening, if it gets hot and the top rad hose is cool, the thermostat is not opening. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,922 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,922 | Slipped ignition timing, or advance mechanism frozen. | | |
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