Sound coming from engine

[65fback]

Yeah, the thermostat housing was caked. I cleaned it out. It promptly disintegrated while torquing it down on reassembly.

The engine got flushed 2-3 times last summer. I can't remember what product I used but it was one of those 'clean your clock' types for the coolant system. I was real nervous about it but I haven't had an overheat since.

The block is already .040 over. If I pull it apart at this point the block is pretty much done unless I sleeve it, right? I think my best bet is to put the new pump on, use it sparingly for now, get a new block and get a build done. Maybe I'll do another flush of the system while I'm at it this week. I guess that changes plans for the year.

 

[Frankenstang]

Congrats on rooting out the issue

As for boiling the radiator, it's seen better days. I think when they swapped engines out they didn't pull the radiator when they first tried, if you get my drift.

My $.02, that's not worth messing with. As Jack Collins has suggested, the zig-zag heat dissipaiting fins that attach to the vertical rows of tubes in a radiator become separated over years, incrementally decreasing efficiency.

Inexpensive 2-3 row radiators abound, which makes vatting and rodding hardly worthwhile given the above...and next to the oiling system, the cooling system is the life blood of longenvity for an engine...good investment for current and future use. You might also be surprised how exhausted you old rad was compared to a new one. I certainly was. Good luck

 

[65fback]

Thanks for the advice all. I have a decent tax return coming. Just did my taxes this weekend. If I'd known how good of a tax return I would have done it February 1. I think a radiator goes on the list.

In the meantime, what's the best way to get an accurate reading of engine heat? Would one of those infrared thermal sensors be good enough to decide whether the engine is running cool enough? When I say the engine wasn't heating up late last summer and fall, I mean it. The gauge moved up a little but it was still well in the cool quadrant.

 

[hutchstang]

I had the same sort of problem, First thing I did was new radiator... bought a decent 3 core and a new 6 blade flex fan..... I havent seen the temp go over 170 for the past 6 months

I bought a cheap gauge and sensor combo and mounted it under the dash for my temp... really no other way to do it, but make sure you buy the pair sensor and gauge because they are calibarted together....

Good Luck