First 360 / 390 Build
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 178
Likes: 32
The oil level hasn't dropped any so I'll try other stuff before going right to head gasket. If I have to put head gaskets on it I guess it's not too big of a deal, really just more inconvenient than anything
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 53,997
Likes: 2,399
From: NY and VA
Been a while since I worked on a 390 but, aren't both head gaskets the same but, one gets put on "right side up" and the other "up side down" ? Or something like that. Thought that was mainly for cooling passage for the head. 
but, if rocker arms are getting oil ok those passages might be lined up . Still could be a head gasket though. Just thinking out loud on the key board.
Good idea to check an "easy" thing first before going into something complicated.
Another thought:Automatic transmission? coolant lines in radiator leaking?
Ford had a problem with FE porous blocks in 1966 and 67 allowing coolant to seep outside the block. Don't know about the inside.
but, if rocker arms are getting oil ok those passages might be lined up . Still could be a head gasket though. Just thinking out loud on the key board.Good idea to check an "easy" thing first before going into something complicated.
Another thought:Automatic transmission? coolant lines in radiator leaking?
Ford had a problem with FE porous blocks in 1966 and 67 allowing coolant to seep outside the block. Don't know about the inside.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 178
Likes: 32
Been a while since I worked on a 390 but, aren't both head gaskets the same but, one gets put on "right side up" and the other "up side down" ? Or something like that. Thought that was mainly for cooling passage for the head. but, if rocker arms are getting oil ok those passages might be lined up . Still could be a head gasket though. Just thinking out loud on the key board.
Good idea to check an "easy" thing first before going into something complicated.
Another thought:Automatic transmission? coolant lines in radiator leaking?
Ford had a problem with FE porous blocks in 1966 and 67 allowing coolant to seep outside the block. Don't know about the inside.
but, if rocker arms are getting oil ok those passages might be lined up . Still could be a head gasket though. Just thinking out loud on the key board.Good idea to check an "easy" thing first before going into something complicated.
Another thought:Automatic transmission? coolant lines in radiator leaking?
Ford had a problem with FE porous blocks in 1966 and 67 allowing coolant to seep outside the block. Don't know about the inside.
it is a manual transmission. It's a 1973 block I believe
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,879
Likes: 2,367
Oil in the water, or water in the oil are not something that just happens now and then and it goes away. unless you introduced it into the system somehow the problem will have to be found and fixed.
a cracked head, cracked block or head gasket are the most likely cause. places where pressurized oil can get into the lower pressurized cooling system aren't that many.
It takes very little oil to make the water look like that.
a cracked head, cracked block or head gasket are the most likely cause. places where pressurized oil can get into the lower pressurized cooling system aren't that many.
It takes very little oil to make the water look like that.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 500
From: Kenai
Could be the radiator if it also has a transmission cooler in the bottom. I got a rebuilt radiator with the transmission cooler in the bottom for my 75 manual truck. I had just left the inlet and outlet ports open as I wasnt using them. Then they started dripping antifreeze out. So I capped them. I'm not sure if it will bother me much as I am not using it. My thought is it will just fill up with antifreeze eventually.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 178
Likes: 32
Good ideas. Im not completely convinced it's oil in there, yet. I didn't flush my block at all after re assembling. Im going to give it a good flush and use only antifreeze and see what happens. My block was checked at the machine shop it was good.
The oil level hasn't changed one bit.
The oil level hasn't changed one bit.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2024
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Likes: 32
Again, not sure how much this proves, but I drove the truck the longest I ever had before today. It didn't overheat, stayed in the middle the whole time. Drove for about 30 minutes and made two stops. Got home, shut the truck off, all was fine.. so, I guess its not that bad yet. I typically jump to worst casenarios but I figured I'd try the easy stuff first. If it's a cracked block or something honestly not sure what I'd do, but I can do head gaskets again..
For what its worth, before driving the truck today I popped the cap off and it was nice green coolant. Not sure what it is now, figured its not a good idea to take it off when its up to temp lol.
For what its worth, before driving the truck today I popped the cap off and it was nice green coolant. Not sure what it is now, figured its not a good idea to take it off when its up to temp lol.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 178
Likes: 32
I planned on getting a aluminum radiator anyway. Did it for my 68 truck and made a nice difference
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 178
Likes: 32
Havent updated in a bit. Haven't drove it too much, been having issues with the distributor and the points slipping. Need to drop in a new distributor. Anyway, I've also been looking to get this spot in the frame fixed. Passenger side where it is on the engine cross member
It was like that when i bought the truck and I paid no attention to it. I know I can probably drive it, as it's not cracked on the side just up top but need to get it re-welded.