Radiator leak and exhaust problem

Gofastoldguy · #1 (**permalink**) 04-09-2012, 09:11 PM

Before leaving Barlett Lake on Saturday you may remember my dripping antifreeze on the ground. Mike C was kind enough to give me a bottle of stop-leak to try. I also picked up an exhaust leak of sorts at the same time.

Got home OK and discovered a small hole in the top of the radiator cause by some abrasion of a bolt or something. I also looked over the exhaust system and discovered that the driver's side header was missing some bolts...like 6 out of 8!!

All this happening with 5 days before Don and I leave for AHA in Pomona.

Sunday was spent pulley radiator + shrouds. Monday went to the local radiator shop (Don's Radiator in Avondale) for the repair. It took 10 minutes and no cost to me. I then spent the rest of the day looking for the proper 1" header bolts. All in all a fun couple of days.

Hopefully I will finish tomorrow PM. What fun!

Bill B

Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2012, 10:07 AM

Good going old guy. I knew you could do it. Have a great trip. May be some weather stuff ahead of you. Dress warm and stay dry.

AZ Bob

Car Nut · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-2012, 02:17 PM

Wow, glad you got it fixed.

I suppose I should tell you about that other thing I saw Saturday.

Danr55 · #4 (**permalink**) 04-10-2012, 04:19 PM

Nut, you're really bad.

Gofastoldguy · #5 (**permalink**) 04-10-2012, 05:25 PM

Car Nut...I know, it will cost me $200 to fix. LOL

Gofastoldguy · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-2012, 11:03 PM

Looks like I finally fixed all my faux pas' on the Cobra.
Header bolts when in w/o problems...with lock washers this time. Found another exhaust leak at the collector, one bolt was loose and causing some weird vibration noise.

The radiator problem was another thing altogether. After reassembling all the components and filling up with anti freeze, I encounter a fluctuating water temp guage. I went from 85 to 125 Celsius and back again. Went back to the radiator shop to pick some brains and found the water level was low again. Jimmy at the shop said this is a common problem with the Cobra Ford motors. You usually encounter a air blockage when purging the system. You have to keep filling the system frequently until the water temp stabilizes. I did this about 10-12 times until the temp settled down to the 85 degree normal temp. Drove a bunch today and no problem.

I was at the point where I was going to cancel the trip to the AHA show in Pomona Friday. Looks like we are back on again.

By the way, if anyone is interested in rooming with me at the SEMA show in October/November let me know so I can add their name...(Robert ?)

I'll take lots of photos while in Pomona and get them posted on Az Cobra site.

Ciao!
Bill

mikiec · #7 (**permalink**) 04-12-2012, 05:45 AM

One thing to remember when working on the cooling system, you must purge all the air out of the system. Automechanics 101. LOL.

Glad it's up and running.

Enjoy your trip.

HighPlainsDrifter · #8 (**permalink**) 04-12-2012, 08:06 AM

Hi,
I put an air purge valve in the top heater line(a prestone backflush T).
It's the red T just behind distributor in picture.
You just fill the last 2 cups of water through the highest point and good to go.
Perry.

Gofastoldguy · #9 (**permalink**) 04-12-2012, 05:03 PM

HPD...good idea but one must first have a heater/ac line to make it work. Sometimes I wish I had both in the car. Your Daytona is perfect for that. I just had to have some patience and it was OK. I never had a problem purging any air block in my previous non-Cobra life. At least I know what to do now. Thx for the tip though...
Regards, Bill B

Mike Brasfield · #10 (**permalink**) 04-12-2012, 05:11 PM

I always carry a few extra header bolts with me on a long trip. They seem to like to fall out. Last time it happened it was on the Route 66 Fun Run.

cobrajo · #11 (**permalink**) 04-13-2012, 09:22 AM

two words for you guy's "SAFETY WIRE", problem solved or buy header bolt retainers

HighPlainsDrifter · #12 (**permalink**) 04-13-2012, 03:57 PM

Bill,
I haven't had an exhaust bolt back out for along time since I've done this;
I do not use an exhaust gasket as they compress and that causes the bolts to loosen up.
I put a small amount of copper silicone sealer around header ports after I run a file across them to make sure they are flat and have no burrs.
Tighten all the bolts evenly to about 30 ft/lbs, you can feel them tighten up as metal to metal there is no slack.
Good luck,
Perry.

Gofastoldguy · #13 (**permalink**) 04-16-2012, 07:33 PM

Perry...thx for the advice. I was able to find bolts with lock washer included. I drove to Pomona and back and everything was at torque spec of 30#.
Bill

cobrajo · #14 (**permalink**) 04-18-2012, 09:34 AM

Check out this product they work great for header bolts and any other bolt that could come loose.

Products - Nord-Lock

Gofastoldguy · #15 (**permalink**) 04-19-2012, 10:57 AM

I have use them for all my exhaust down pipe/J pipe and 4 bolt flanges. They are great and never a problem. If I continue to have any more manifold leak problems I'll use them.
Bill