little help please

[GREASEMONKEY72]

i have a 72 custom/10 with a stock 350sb and a stock radiator and ill fill the rad up and the will truck sit for a day and i check the level it will be like 1in or more down and the engine didnt run or anything it just sits so what i want to know is if anybody has ever had this problem with the level in the rad dropping before and what it is or may be?????? oh and it does it if the engine runs or not

-steven

[junkyardjohn]

Well Theres Not Very Many Places It Could Be Going. It's Either Leaking Out On Your Driveway (you'd Probably Notice That) Or Going Out Your Exhaust (noticable Too) Or Air Is Working Out Of The Water Passages In Your Block & Being Replaced With Coolant Mixture. I Vote For The Water Passages. John

[cdowns]

are you filling it when its running hot and thermo open if so the 1inch low will be because the water shrinks when cold

[wibilly]

i agree with john but you could always put a presure tester on to see that your cooling system holds presure

[larry may]

heap was doing that same thing. Never did see any leaks. Kept adding coolant finally stopped being low. Like Said above for a possibility Air pushing out .Am sure that was my situation. Took several times adding to get it right after I changed out the heater core..

[Steelawork'n]

I always add the coolant, turn the engine on, let it get up to temp and as the thermostat opens the coolant gets circulated, at that time I add more coolant to the top. Then I shut the engine down. As the engine cools, the excess coolant will run out the overflow. I do one more cold check and top it off if need be.

All that said, the pressure check will tell you if you have internal leaks. Also, just for kicks, change your oil and check it for coolant.

[Longhorn Man]

Don't forget... per design, it is supposed to be an inch or so from the top.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

i add it when cold and it holds pressure cause when i lift the lever on the cap coolant squirts out the overflow and i havent seen any puddles under it or anything and i guess the exhaust could be possible but i dont think so cause i dont see alot of water spiting out the exhaust, you guys think it could be the head gaskets? i surely hope it isnt, Longhorn Man - how do i know if its part of the design or not? Thanks for all the help guys

-steven

[Longhorn Man]

well, you mention now that there has been an overflow bottle added.... it should stay full if you have the right style cap. Remove your cap and look at the bottom of it... is there one O ring, or two? *O-ring...gasket...what ever*

[GREASEMONKEY72]

its got a gasket on the cap, and i checked it tonight while the engine was warm and it was full so i think i either need a new cap with a higher pressure rating or just a new cap period

[lngbed71]

Since you have a stock radiator, look on the back side I think where the trans cooler lines would go and you will see a "fill line" marking stamped into the rad. I ignored that for years, and for years the coolant spit out until it setteled where the stamping mark was. I have given up the fight and have had no problems since.

[1933 Gasser]

The only way to completely purge the air from the radiator is by using a coolant recovery bottle. Air and coolant are pushed out into the bottle when its hot and only coolant is drawn back in from the bottle when it cools.