cooling system woes

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Jul 16, 2013 | 01:01 AM

#16

tygerof2

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checking impellar clearance can be checked with a piece of glass laid on top and use a feeler gage for reference

Okay, so you mean when I take off the pump, check the clearance with your method? Not really any way to check it with pump in place, I guess. I've got a Robertshaw T-stat on order. the 333-180 version everyone suggests using. Hope that makes a difference. I'll keep updating to let you know the status. Thanks for the suggestions.

Sep 1, 2013 | 03:35 PM

#17

tygerof2

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Update on my cooling system woes: I put a new Flowkooler water pump in with hopes it might help my situation. No better. Finally, found a post from SteveT and he had the exact same thing going on. I thought I was very thorough when I put the head gaskets on facing them both "FRONT". Well, after pulling both heads and checking, one of the gaskets was facing the wrong direction. So, yesterday I got it all back up and running. Problem solved- my own lack of attention caused the whole thing. Lesson learned. Anyways, for anyone else after me, MAKE SURE THE GASKETS ARE FACING FRONT-BOTH OF THEM!

Sep 1, 2013 | 08:00 PM

#18

crsmiffy

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Joined: Jan 2011

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From: Tanilba bay NSW Australia

glad it wasnt something terminal. Tim Meyers facebook site shows a good picture of head gaskets, indicating a visible tab if the gasket is around the right way. Very handy AFTER you have to pull your gaskets to check LOL

Sep 2, 2013 | 09:35 AM

#19

bjmayberry2

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From: Wentzville, MO

Great info to know. I'm sure you have put in way too many hours and $$$ trying to solve the overheating problem. Maybe someone will avoid your headache with this post!

Sep 2, 2013 | 01:38 PM

#20

tygerof2

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I sure hope so. I thank everyone for their ideas and input. Its invaluable having the help on stuff like this.

Sep 2, 2013 | 02:37 PM

#21

baddad457

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From: south louisiana

It's a wonder it didn't do what I ran across in a 400 a few years ago. It too had a gasket on backwards, it never overheated (according to the gauge) but it would have a sudden explosion of pent up steam when the coolant that was blocked on that side of the block, & built up enough heat to flash to steam and backtrack it's way thru the pump into the radiator.

Sep 6, 2013 | 05:47 PM

#22

tygerof2

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I think that is exactly what was happening to me too. It was making the thumping noise and it sounded like it was inside the pump, when in reality, it was doing what you described. I had several people who told me it "just needs to run for a while." I'm glad I didn't take their advice; I would probably be rebuilding the engine.My truck never overheated either. Glad I wasn't the only one to experience it.

Sep 9, 2013 | 08:29 AM

#23

baddad457

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From: south louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by tygerof2

That's exactly what the thumping was. With the coolant system design of the Cleveland (dry intake), if you put the head gasket on backwards, it completely blocks the coolant path back into the block to the T-Stat, so with it blocked it goes nowhere but builds heat til it flashes to steam (that's the thumping sound), then backtracks it's way thru the pump to the radiator and the cap that serves as the relief valve for the pent up pressure. With the other Ford engines, if you get the gasket on backwards, the coolant just shortcuts it's way back up to the T-Stat instead of circulating to the rear first, it'll still tend to over heat the coolant in the rear, but take longer to do it.