Small Block Ford coolant problem

[THR1LL3R]

Last year I ran a 74 302 in my 1952 F1 and over the winter decided to run a 90s SBF mustang HO motor. I switched everything from the 74 motor to the 90 motor including timing chain/water pump etc... the only thing different is block and heads. For some reason the truck likes to puke out antifreeze when ever it likes never overheats just seems to do it about an hour after driving. 50/50 mix, same aluminum radiator, Ive regasketed the intake and water pump twice, tried new radiator caps and thermostats. Is there something Im missing?

Thanks

 

[dmsfrr]

I saw something in another post about some SBF intake manifolds not having coolant passages connecting the heads side-to-side thru the rear of the intake manifold. Not sure if it applies in your case, just thought I'd pass it along.

 

[THR1LL3R]

Mines a Edlebrock performer...you know I was thinking of that
too... Link?

 

[dmsfrr]

Mines a Edlebrock performer...you know I was thinking of that
too... Link?

Found it.............
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153275

.................
This is the intake I chose:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Small-Block...Parts_Accessories&hash=item58a8f3c858&vxp=mtr
Why you ask? Because it has a feature Edelbrock and Weiand both lack if you look at the pictures of the bottom of the intake notice it has both front and rear water passages this will promote more even cylinder temps in the block rather than restricting flow, if you notice many used intakes will corrode where they are blocked off. This intake produces strong bottom and mid range acceleration over 6,500 RPM, big difference from the previous Performer intake.

 

[Fordors]

It's not the manifold. I asked my son, a Mustang racer, he said you need the early front cover with the early standard rotation water pump.

 

[Alaska Jim]

I agree it could be a water pump rotation problem.

 

[JeffB2]

Maybe you lack this:http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=6323 Most later caps are designed to pressure the system, as they cool the fluid recovers back to the overflow tank with no overflow tank it pukes out on the ground.Since you swapped your early timing cover and pump as a unit there is no issue with the direction of flow.

 

[416Ford]

I agree it could be a water pump rotation problem.

That was my thought also but he said he used the old water pump.

THR1LL3R, can you see the coolant moving in the radiator? Could be a bad thermostat also.

 

[Ford blue blood]

The water pump on the 90s 302 is a reverse rotation pump and the timing cover is different as well. Need to change that out as well.

 

[John S]

When you put the head gaskets on the block did you make sure they were faced in the right direction?

 

[THR1LL3R]

First off, did you guys even read what I posted?? I have the 70's style water pump and timing chain cover like I stated in the first paragraph.

It's not the manifold. I asked my son, a Mustang racer, he said you need the early front cover with the early standard rotation water pump.

I agree it could be a water pump rotation problem.

The water pump on the 90s 302 is a reverse rotation pump and the timing cover is different as well. Need to change that out as well.

I switched everything from the 74 motor to the 90 motor including timing chain/waterpump

Second, never took the heads off. This truck had no problems last year the only thing I basically changed was the long block. I also did a pressure check and all cylinders are good.

That was my thought also but he said he used the old water pump.

THR1LL3R, can you see the coolant moving in the radiator? Could be a bad thermostat also.

Yep, replaced it a couple times now.

 

[THR1LL3R]

Maybe you lack this:http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/detail.aspx?Item=6323 Most later caps are designed to pressure the system, as they cool the fluid recovers back to the overflow tank with no overflow tank it pukes out on the ground.Since you swapped your early timing cover and pump as a unit there is no issue with the direction of flow.

I have an overflow bottle.






I had this exact same setup up as lady year. No problems.

 

[416Ford]

First off, did you guys even read what I posted?? I have the 70's style water pump and timing chain cover like I stated in the first paragraph.

Yep I read it.

Do you have a radiator pressure checker? One that screws on where the cap goes to check a leak down?

Seams like you have checked the things I would have checked also.
Are you running a heater core? May or may not be relevant, just adding info to help solve the problem.

 

[John S]

First off, did you guys even read what I posted??


Second, never took the heads off. This truck had no problems last year the only thing I basically changed was the long block. I also did a pressure check and all cylinders are good.




Yeah, I read it. What you describe are symptoms of a head gasket turned backwards. I picked up a '66 Mustang GT one time for cheap because the engine was doing the same thing as yours is. Guy had put a set of heads on himself and turned the left gasket backwards. I had to figure it out the hard way.