Overheating Issues

[dcozzi]

So, I had some issues with the cooling system. When I took off the thermo housing, this is what I found. I do not think it is a 2 piece unit and it should not live inside the mainfold.
One of the three "arms that holds it together is somewhere in the cooling passages. Likely, it is stuck in the head somewhere.

 

[76z28]

How old is that for that to happen? That is wild!

 

[dcozzi]

It has to be 15-20 years old.
Since it is non ferrous metal, I cannot fish out the broken piece with a magnet. I will see if I can find the missing piece when I pull the water pump.

 

[Twisted_Metal]

The last couple of thermostats I've changed were made of stainless steel, instead of brass.

Now I see why the material was changed.

Considering the direction of the coolant flow... It's probably at the bottom of the driver's side of the radiator.
(It should never get to the output tank through the radiator cooling tubes.)

 

[dcozzi]

The last couple of thermostats I've changed were made of stainless steel, instead of brass.

Now I see why the material was changed.

Considering the direction of the coolant flow... It's probably at the bottom of the driver's side of the radiator.
(It should never get to the output tank through the radiator cooling tubes.)

Bummer. Lower hose is on passenger side

The new one I bought is stainless because I thought that was a better material to use.

 

[dcozzi]

Cool article about the 400 SBC.

Small Block 400 Cooling Tricks - Tech Article - Chevy High Performance Magazine

Read the tech article on Small Block 400 Cooling Tricks, brought to you by the experts at Chevy High Performance Magazine

www.motortrend.com

 

[sandlapper]

any bits of brass or steel would likely bother me, but only because I'm A-R. Although, I doubt they will cause any functional issue.
In fact, they may have already gone into solution entirely or nearly so anyway.

I DO suggest you CLEAN (not just a flush) out the entire system with a strong chemical as I outlined in a recent post .... and in future, more frequent inspections.

 

[Twisted_Metal]

^+1

I doubt that little piece of brass will ever cause a problem.
Especially if it's sitting in the bottom of the radiator tank, where I suspect it ended up.

 

[Bandit723]

Looks like you are in the suck zone. Might try a wet vac to see if you can pull something up.

 

[dcozzi]

Looks like you are in the suck zone. Might try a wet vac to see if you can pull something up.

This with a piece of clear PVC tubing. Great idea for the heads.