All Small Six Oil in radiator

[kaden_.adams]

Hey. Got a new project falcon. It's a 1960 with a 144. I've done a lot to get it running. Did a oil change today and noticed the radiator had white stuff in it. Looks and feels like oil. Can that be from it sitting for like 40 years? I'm going to do a flush tomorrow and run it. Hoping it's not a headgasket. Any help is appreciated!

 

[DON]

Sounds like head gasket

 

[DON]

Sitting could be the reason, corrosion over the years. If it sat that long you will probably need a radiator soon. And while your at it a water pump and hoses

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, I would flush the cooling system and just add water for now. That way you can keep an eye on it without wasting antifreeze. As mentioned, it is probably time for belts and hoses. It is much easier to flush the radiator when the hoses are removed. Plus, I am always in favor of a compression test. Good luck

 

[powerband]

"... Can that be from it sitting for like 40 years?"
.
'after not running 40 years a few issues might be expected, after flush and fresh Afz - hope for no more mayo' in the system.
.
... wonder if original 144 steel head gasket is still in place and may seal-up as head heats up after 40 years ...

.
have fun

 

[kaden_.adams]

"... Can that be from it sitting for like 40 years?"
.
'after not running 40 years a few issues might be expected, after flush and fresh Afz - hope for no more mayo' in the system.
.
... wonder if original 144 steel head gasket is still in place and may seal-up as head heats up after 40 years ...

.
have fun

Thank you!

 

[kaden_.adams]

Hi, I would flush the cooling system and just add water for now. That way you can keep an eye on it without wasting antifreeze. As mentioned, it is probably time for belts and hoses. It is much easier to flush the radiator when the hoses are removed. Plus, I am always in favor of a compression test. Good luck

I will plan on replacing the cooling system. I flushed it and put water in it, not any oil so far. Hoping for the best

 

[Otto]

The last time I cleaned out an oiled radiator, I put a couple of cups of Super Clean in the system and topped it up w/water then drove around the block a couple times. Flushed this out twice (in the grass) and it was squeaky clean inside.

 

[sixtseventwo4d]

Cascade is another great cleaner to wash out oil from your cooling system. The plus is, there is usually some already in the house

 

[kaden_.adams]

Hey everyone! The reasone i changed the oil in the first place was because it smelled like fuel. I assumed the guy before me just tried to keep cranking it over. But after running only for an hour or so it smells like fuel again. Can my mixture not be set right? And that's why it's puffing as well? It also has a slight miss at idle but not when you give it gas. Hoping this is the problem.

 

[philford]

dont; know if its the same with the 240 but I found on my 300 that removing the temp sensor which is on the rear passenger side of the block, while flushing with a hose, let out quite a lot of brown stuff.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, two ways for fuel to get into the crankcase is if the carb floods or the fuel pump diaphragm is broken. Good luck