Hey guys-
Well I was driving my 1969 F-250 home the other day. I was watching the temp. gauge rise and hoping to make it to my exit before it got too high. I didnt make it. Steam started shooting out, so I pulled over. Apparently a small hole appeared in the radiator and shot fluid all over the engine. Well after patching the hole, filling the radiator, etc. the truck wouldnt start. I eventually had it towed home- after drying off everything, still no start. In an attempt to find out why it was turning over but not roaring to life, I decided to go a possible cheap fix- new cap, rotor, and plugs. I had spark, and fuel, so I figured the problem was some where in that line. When I was replacing the spark plugs, I looked in open hole on the number 4 spark plug. What did I see? Antifreeze! I checked all the other cylinders- clear and clean. Why is there antifreeze in my cylinder? I am by no means a mechanic, but I know its not supposed to be there, and its not good. I sucked it all out, and sprayed some WD-40 in there to counter some of the water. What happened? Something crack? The engine sounded fine and was running fine right before this. Is it possible that a ton of antifreeze got sucked in the engine when the radiator shot fluid all over? I am very confused and not very happy. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Tristin

 

it's kinda unlikely that only one hole would suck in antifreeze... the not starting sounds like the ignition system just got soaked- that and antifreeze leaves a residue behind so you have to clean or replace everything, which it sounds like you did. the number 4 hole, in my past experience, is the one that breaks if a cylinder is gonna break. I had 2 blocks break sleeves when I punched them 80 over to make a 428-had the pistons and was too cheap to buy new ones- and they both broke on that hole. it may be something easy but thats just my experience. FE's are a tough motor, I'd do a compression check and see what you get. might just be a head gasket...

 

Sounds like you lost a head gasket or cracked a head or worse the block, the block is unlikely though. Getting them real hot will do that. Compression check would be in order before spending money on any parts.

 

Yep...I have too agree with Bear...sounds like you blew a head gasket between that one cylinder and the water jacket... Hopefully you didnt hydraulic a cylinder by trying to compress water?

but it still should have started even with one dead cylinder? But before trying to start it again... I would just go ahead and pull the head on that side.. JMO

RJ

 

Did you look at the oil to see if you got a milkshake ? Just a little antifreeze in the oil is not a good thing at all.

 

Dip stick looks clear- I just changed the oil before this happened so the oil is still nice and clean. Thanks for the advice guys- I was hoping it was something simple but in the back of my head figured it was the head gasket... looks like more $$$ for this truck, surprise!

-Tristin

 

Tristin!! Welcome to the world of Old ford trucks!! LOL...I wouldnt change a thing!!

Funny thing happened the other day..some chevy boys came by the house after I had the truck out.. I lost the Air cleaner somewhere between SoCal and Virginia..So I put a 429 air cleaner hood on the carb to keep the country crap out!! and the one guy says to the Other "ask him to race your 74 chev 1/2 ton? The other kid says sure! They asked if they could look under the hood..I said of course and opened it up! They saw the headers and the sticker on the cleaner and said No way DUDE!! thats one of those Bad A$$ 429's in there!! LMAO!!

RJ

 

I might suggest that you look into the possibility of a leaking intake gasket before pullling the heads off.

 

lol Russ, good times.

 

If the intake is leaking at the head, there is only one wy to check and thats pull it off. The intake has to come off before the head anyway and it should be pretty obvious if there is antifreeze in the intake port.