New Problem With 65

Scrasauge

Active Member
Sep 24, 2003
118
5
29
Reserve, La
I changed the water pump then I changed all the hoses and radiator then started the car up and the water was shooting out the radiator like crazy when it got warm! Does this mean I have a blown head gasket or should I be looking for something else? No water in the oil at all! Trying to solve this issue! Anyone can help me also changed the thermostat and hoses....
 
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I'm led to believe the water pump is the right rotation? But how do I figure out if it isn't ? It has a 302 out of a 74 maverick I believe and also the water pump water neck comes out on the bottom driver side! And also I had plugged off the by pass hose because I couldn't get it on with top radiator hose
 
it sounds to me like there is a big air bubble in the block somewhere. usually what i do is drill a 1/8" hole in the thermostat towards the edge, then install it with the hole pointing up, and then fill the radiator. that way as i fill the system, the air can bleed out thus minimizing air pockets. i would also put the rad cap back on, but not fully tightened, until the engine warms up. that way you again minimize the possibility of coolant shooting out the rad while the engine fully warms up.
 
I just did a motor in an expedition ,i know it is two different things completely , but i took the heater hose off at the intake and filled the block there ,that is behind the thermostat and it filled the block completely .check it at the radiator cap after you replace the heater hose to make sure the radiator is full. This should remove any or most any trapped air .
 
Ok, I put a 180 thermostat in and got the bypass hose back in and it seems to working good now! I have friend coming with an exhaust gas tester to put in the radiator just to verify that I don't have a blown head gasket! Before I go any further! But did let it run the driveway for about 45 minutes and used a temp gun pointed on the side of the temp sending unit and it got to almost 200 but never went above that unlike it did yesterday
 
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Ok seems it was fine for a while earlier then we put the combustion gas tester on it and it seems it turned yellow indicating that it has a blown head gasket, but also while running it so long in the driveway it started to boil over on me! Looks like I'm pulling the engine today and re sealing it and changing them and putting a coat of paint on it
 
It's pretty hot for older engines that were designed to run on leaded fuel. Modern engines are designed to run much hotter for emissions reasons. They also have higher quality pistons, rings, and hardened valve seats to tolerate the much higher combustion temps associated with unleaded fuel, exhaust gas recirculation, and higher cooling system temps.
 
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