' 67 Cooling System Puzzle

[bb67tlc]

So we got our '67 up and running (just an engine on a frame at this point). All good except for the cooling system. After warming up and the thermostat opening, coolant started pouring out the overflow outlet. My first thought were the little bits of solder that I found in the new aftermarket radiator (purchased from SOR 10 years ago, but never installed). I thought I'd shaken and flushed all of them out, but a couple more came out when I removed it after running the engine. So, where is the system not working? Could a metal bit have gotten into the engine passages and clogged? But then the pump wouldn't be sending coolant back to the radiator and out the overflow. Plus, I think there are multiple routes through the block. Going to the garden hose, water flows freely through the radiator, and it would take a lot of bits to clog the radiator to the point that it would stop going out the lower outlet. Could there be an airlock occurring? This engine had been completely drained and flushed and then filled again.
I'm guessing I need to open the heater send and return valves and the block drain plug a little bit and ensure coolant is flowing through the block.

 

[65swb45]

You need to hook up a coolant overflow bottle. It can burp as much as a quart while it is expanding to normal operating perameters.

Don't worry unless the overflow bottle overflows.

Best

Mark

www.marksoffroad.net

 

[65swb45]

A fan shroud is also a good idea. I have a few for sale.

 

[bb67tlc]

Seemed like a lot more than a quart was coming out... but I'll try some things. And I do have a fan shroud- waiting to be re-plated. In the meantime, steer clear of that fan!
Thanks Mark

 

[Rock40]

Just to ask the dumb question... Are you sure there's zero way an old rag got shoved up into the lower radiator hose or housing? Small bits of solder or not going to plug the radiator outlet up. Like Mark said, hook up an overflow bottle; there is likely a LOT of air that needs to burp out.

2nd question: is the lower radiator hose getting warm indicating that the coolant is in fact cycling through the engine block and radiator?