Now It's My Turn for Help - Page 2

Jack21 · #21 (**permalink**) 08-15-2002, 04:39 PM

Some other ideas.

Before starting up, reverse flush radiator from bottom up with garden hose and some clamps. Any trash come out the top?

Reverse flush engine.

Like suggested above, take the thermostat out altogether for some of the diagnostics. leave the rad cap off and check for erratic flow, and gas bubbles. Check rad for cold spots.

Road test it with rad cap just barely caught, i.e. no pressure. Stant has lever actuated rad caps that let you do this without getting a face full of boiling coolant. No thermostat pushes a lot more water through the system. Same problem? If OK, put 160 in, try test again.

If the car was running OK, and just now started acting up, we have either gas displacing water in the coolant, or a blockage in the coolant flow. Eliminate one, and we can pinpoint the other.

Roscoe · #22 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 11:28 AM

Well I bought an AirEvac from Mityvac. It is supposed to create a vacuum in the cooling system and sucks fluid into the system and eliminates all the air.

While hooking up the unit and trying to create a vacuum in the system I could only get about 7 or 8 in of vacuum. When disconnecting the air line I could hear a gurgleing coming from the radiator. I traced the noise to a small crack in the front of the radiator all the way on the bottom, passenger side.

I'm getting out my JB Weld and will report back tomorrow.

larger image at http://www.priveye.com/dls/rad1.jpg

Roscoe

Okiesnake · #23 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 07:26 PM

I wonder what the crack can be attributed to? Corrosion? Freezing? Over pressure?
Good Luck and Keep us updated how it all works out.

JT · #24 (**permalink**) 08-16-2002, 08:55 PM

I just love a happy ending.....I hope this is it.
BTW; I just love those vinyl graphics.

Okiesnake · #25 (**permalink**) 08-17-2002, 09:02 AM

Rosco,
How effective is your Cobra for blending in when you're doing private investigation surveillance? Do your subjects notice that they are being followed by a Cobra?

Roscoe · #26 (**permalink**) 08-17-2002, 09:10 AM

Okie,
Actually I had to take pics of a guy and his girlfriend in one case last year. They owned a couple of classic cars and would go to cruise nights regularly. I fit right in. That's about the only time.

I usually use my HumVee!! Just kidding! But check out the pics at
http://www.priveye.com/van/

Roscoe

Okiesnake · #27 (**permalink**) 08-17-2002, 01:15 PM

Is that some kind of a parascope inside the van?

Roscoe · #28 (**permalink**) 08-17-2002, 01:46 PM

Torpedo Los! Jawoll mein capitan!

Roscoe

wadesdad · #29 (**permalink**) 08-17-2002, 09:18 PM

Roscoe,

I hope congratulations are in order about your relatively minor problem!

Throughout my build and now final tweaking, I have had to remind myself about "KISS" (Keep It Simple Stupid).

Roscoe · #30 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 09:01 AM

Well I epoxied up the crack and let it sit overnight. On Sat I tried the vacuum again and got over 20 in lbs of vacuum. It still leaked around the epoxy a bit but it looks like that was the problem.

I yanked the radiator and am waiting to hear from Griffin. I do not expect them to replace it and will probably have Afco Racing build me one to my specs: no filler cap, AN fittings, built in drain, etc.

Roscoe

Jack21 · #31 (**permalink**) 08-22-2002, 05:05 PM

Griffin should be able to repair it. The transit is a hassle, but now that you've identified the source of the problem, it can be fixed.

Roscoe · #32 (**permalink**) 08-27-2002, 10:01 AM

Well I finally heard from Griffin. They said they would replace the radiator for 150.00 instead of 189.00. When I asked about custom fittings: no fill cap, 16 AN fittings top and bottom and a NPT fitting for a drain he said 300 something but I could have it for 290.00.

I told him to pack it because Afco will make me the same radiator for 255.00. I have dealt with Afco in the past and have found them to be very good. I have their Girling type master cylinders for my brakes/clutch. http://www.afcoracing.com/

I ordered the Afco today. I may have it by next Friday.

Roscoe

Roscoe · #33 (**permalink**) 09-06-2002, 10:49 AM

Next Friday has arrived as did my new Afco radiator. Will be working tonight and tomorrow to get this puppy back on the road.

Roscoe

Steve R · #34 (**permalink**) 09-06-2002, 07:36 PM

Roscoe,
Good luck buddy, I hope the new rad works out for ya.

I guess Griffin doesn't care much about customer satisfaction. Thanks
for the heads up.
Steven
PS,
Let us know how the new rad works out....

Roscoe · #35 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 11:08 AM

Well I installed the new radiator and I am very pleased with the way it went in and the AN plumbing. HOWEVER, it did not solve the problem.

It still overheats but I noticed that it really does not run up while at idle but when I rev it or take it out for a mild run. I idled it for about 20-25 minutes so the therm could open. Got up to about 185. Shut it down and let it cool. Went to top it off and it didn't really need anything.

I took it out around the neighborhood and got about a mile and it climbed to about 210. I turned around and by the time I got back it was pushing 240!

I'm going to start it up again and just let it idle for as long as I can to see if it will overheat butI think I'll take a look at the water pump again. Maybe the impeller is slipping at higher revs? Sigh!

Roscoe

RACER X #99 · #36 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 11:22 AM

Roscoe,
Those symtoms are very similar to the problems Hank Dondero was having with his moter. BLOWN HEADGASKET.
If that turns out to be your problem have the heads cut for the O ring type head gaskets.

Cranky

Steve R · #37 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 01:08 PM

Roscoe,
Your air/ fuel ratio could be real lean in off idle conditions. What color are your spark plugs.?

Roscoe · #38 (**permalink**) 09-07-2002, 01:37 PM

I pulled the plugs during the first troubleshooting session. They were grey to black. A bit rich due to all the idling I was doing.

Just pulled the pump off and it is making a squeeking noise like that commercial for clean dishes. Don't know if that's it or not at this point.

Thanks,
Roscoe

Roscoe · #39 (**permalink**) 09-08-2002, 05:38 AM

One more thing. The pump seems to have some drag to it when I try to free spin it. I don't recall how it was when new. Should it spin real free a couple of turns when I give it a spin? If so then this could be it. I can't get one turn out of it when I free spin it.

Roscoe

427Aggie · #40 (**permalink**) 09-08-2002, 07:38 AM

Roscoe,

Have you needed to add any coolant to the car? I would also change the oil!!!!! If you are getting no white smoke out of the car and it is a head gasket the water is going somewhere.....into the oil..

I had the same symptoms when I blew mine..I could idle all day long but when I drove it the temp spiked..when I drained the oil to check it I had ohh about 2 gallons of coolant in with the oil..

I hope you don't because it required the engine be rebuilt with new bearings....

Good luck.

Matt