New Rebuild Engine Coolant Bubbling

Dougsters

Member

Jun 30, 2010

77

3

9

Temecula Calif.

Dec 29, 2016

#1

• Dec 29, 2016

• #1

Just had my 289 C -code rebuilt to stock specs.with mild cam.When I drove car home 4 miles from shop, air/gas bubbles were coming out of overflow tank upon getting there.The Radiator upper reservoir was empty and over flow tank was full.Also mechanical temp gauge fluctuating. What really bothers me is the coolant smells like gas/combustion.Rented block test kit for coolant gasses and test came out OK. I would think head gadget breach but my test does not confirm. The builder will make good but it pissed me off.New radiator,water pump,thermostat 180 ,new hoses but builder LEFT OUT lower spring from old lower hose. Any ideas? Are engine block test kits for coolant gasses accurate.Hell when over flow tank sound like a tea kettle it sucks.No problems in coolant dept. before rebuild.Thanks in advance.

 

horse sence

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

12,194

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233

Wile Coyote's stunt double

Dec 31, 2016

#2

• Dec 31, 2016

• #2

Thermostat in back wards ,or reverse turn water pump .Head gaskets installed wrong is the most common .

 

Dougsters

Member

Jun 30, 2010

77

3

9

Temecula Calif.

Jan 2, 2017

#3

• Jan 2, 2017

• #3

horse sence said:

Thermostat in back wards ,or reverse turn water pump .Head gaskets installed wrong is the most common .

Click to expand...

Thanks for ideas,Checked Thermostat in correct as far as water pump will check with builder.Need to check if front tabs on head gaskets are showing up front. Did install spring in my lower radiator hose today and will test tomorrow. Also pressure tested block at 13psi held other then small sweeper on lower hose at pump.Thanks again.

 

RacerJames

Active Member

Mar 21, 2014

165

23

39

Kingman AZ

Jan 2, 2017

#4

• Jan 2, 2017

• #4

My good friend and coworker Dave built a '70 fastback for himself, left the spring out of the lower hose, and promptly overheated his new 302. What happens is the water pump sucks the lower hose closed when the engine revs. Put the spring back, and his car is all better.

 

Dougsters

Member

Jun 30, 2010

77

3

9

Temecula Calif.

Jan 3, 2017

#5

• Jan 3, 2017

• #5

Well put in spring in lower hose and the overflowing from tank continued.It smells like combustion to me.Cars going back to builder tomorrow.Will update later.TX

 

Dougsters

Member

Jun 30, 2010

77

3

9

Temecula Calif.

Mar 31, 2017

#6

• Mar 31, 2017

• #6

Update: So after all the above coolant issues I had another mechanic perform compression test on engine. So had 145-150 psi on all cylinders. But #5 had 130 psi checked out with bore scope,could see coolant dropping down from head into side of upper bore wall. So cracked head? who knows will talk to builder. This I sure wish I would have done a crate 302 this 289 rebuild has been a buzz buster.lol.

 

RacerJames

Active Member

Mar 21, 2014

165

23

39

Kingman AZ

Apr 18, 2017

#7

• Apr 18, 2017

• #7

I've got
2 289 C3AE Ford Heads Bare $80.00
2 289 C3AE Ford Heads Complete $100.00
If you're close to AZ we could make a deal.

 

Dougsters

Member

Jun 30, 2010

77

3

9

Temecula Calif.

Apr 19, 2017

#8

• Apr 19, 2017

• #8

RacerJames said:

I've got
2 289 C3AE Ford Heads Bare $80.00
2 289 C3AE Ford Heads Complete $100.00
If you're close to AZ we could make a deal.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer will keep in mind.Let off car today ,builder wants to look at cylinder #5 with his bore scope before head removal. Used to have cabin in Pine Az. But in Temecula now. Thanks again