Hot 400
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Rolla USA
Hot 400
Well, my son come driving my 79 in the other day , just a steaming, the truck was so hot it wouldn't shut off untill o put it against a tree to kill it . Well it took a hour before i could open the radiator cap, to hot to touch. After cooling for a hour and a half i started putting warm water in it , and it started blowing out like a inferno. I know ill have to rebuild it , but is there anything i should be looking for, I know i should magnaflux the block for cracks, but is there anything else? Thanks John
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Rolla USA
Hot 400
Well i should have said it in my first post, the top of the radiator split, and he drove it about 15 miles home spewing water.. I put water in it tonight and truck runs , doesnt sound to bad, i'm wondering just how bad its hurt.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Hot 400
Fix the radiator and drive it, keeping close watch on the fluid levels, both coolant and oil. You may want to run straight water for a while until you're sure of it. If possible, pressure test the cooling system. You want to make sure you don't get any coolant in the oil or any other leaks. As far as the condition of the rest of the engine, if it runs OK, count your blessings. The only way to know for sure if there are any other problems is to drive it. A compression test would be nice if nothing more than a reference for the future. It may show if there's a possibility for problems.
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From: chicago burbs
Hot 400
that'd be interesting if it'll start! might be a waste of money to put new oil in it, do you have any drain oil on hand? another vehicle need an oil change? i would seriously consider not using that engine for a rebuilder, if it got that hot. no telling what will happen down the road after who knows how many heat cycles? another running engine to start with will be cheap reassurance later. cylinders become excessively out of round, head and block surfaces tend to warp, you know the drill! maybe your crank is still good and you can pick up a 351M to convert? boy must have had a hot date to trash the truck like that?
