71 BB Burping Coolant!!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 143
From: Manalapan New Jersey
71 BB Burping Coolant!!!
Just wondering what you all are running with thermostats!! Have a 71 454 4 speed and never ran into cooling problems until the past couple of weeks. Car always ran ar 210 and now occasionally it bounces to @ 220 or so. After turning the car off coolant boils up and pops out of the car. I havent done anything and figure start with a thermostat. Had the car now for 3 years and never changed it. Any advise out there?? Car is original with 81k on it. Thanks!!
Anthony
Anthony
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
I would replace the radiator cap first. It should be good to 15 pounds of pressure but they wear out.
If it won't hold enough pressure it will cause overheating as well as overflowing.
I used to have the same problem with a 65 small block. New radiator cap fixed it.
cc
If it won't hold enough pressure it will cause overheating as well as overflowing.
I used to have the same problem with a 65 small block. New radiator cap fixed it.
cc
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
cc
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
If it's running to hot, then something else might be wrong..bad tstat, restriction, fan clutch, shroud sealing...No?
Shouldn't a street engine be running around 185 to 195 degrees? Plenty of cooling threads on the forum. Hardly anyone using/recommending a 160.
Just wondering why you chose a 160 that's all. No biggie.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
If it's running to cool, then a 180 might be better. No?
If it's running to hot, then something else might be wrong..bad tstat, restriction, fan clutch, shroud sealing...No?
Shouldn't a street engine be running around 185 to 195 degrees? Plenty of cooling threads on the forum. Hardly anyone using/recommending a 160.
Just wondering why you chose a 160 that's all. No biggie.
If it's running to hot, then something else might be wrong..bad tstat, restriction, fan clutch, shroud sealing...No?
Shouldn't a street engine be running around 185 to 195 degrees? Plenty of cooling threads on the forum. Hardly anyone using/recommending a 160.
Just wondering why you chose a 160 that's all. No biggie.
SmokinBBC, I for one have never heard of a big block running too cool. They generate so much heat it's almost impossible.
cc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
Cap mostly is not holding to the lbs rating and thats why its burping
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Remember a Thermostat's Job.
is to set the Minumium operating tempature of the motor.
If.... the rest of the system is working properly it will maintain that temp.
The higher temp. thermostat became standard, because of the
Emmision requirements..... Not for Optimum performance conditions.
69VETT
also, I live in Texas, we don't need heaters in the winter time!
IF I lived up North I might consider a warmer thermostat.
is to set the Minumium operating tempature of the motor.
If.... the rest of the system is working properly it will maintain that temp.
The higher temp. thermostat became standard, because of the
Emmision requirements..... Not for Optimum performance conditions.
69VETT
also, I live in Texas, we don't need heaters in the winter time!
IF I lived up North I might consider a warmer thermostat.
Last edited by 69Vett; Aug 26, 2008 at 11:55 AM. Reason: more info.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
My 502 takes forever to warm up to 180. At least 5 0r 6 miles. And once it gets there it never gets any hotter.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
But, the wear rate is dramatically higher when cooler. That is the reason that the majority of engine wear is at cold start up.
You DO want to get your engine up to temp as soon as possible. That is the purpose of the stat.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
radiator level
my 70 with A/C has the big radiator and it shows how high the level should be cold. The level is not at the top of the cap, if it was filled to the top the fluid could be on the ground. Always have used the 180 thermostat. You may be keeping to much fluid in the radiator. I installed a coolant recovery tank on my 70. Real easy to do, just remove the vent grille and set it on the splash pan for installation, no more burping on the ground. This month makes 38 years driving this first new car I had ever bought, heck the 96 LT4 is the second and last.
Last edited by 70ZZ3 96LT4; Aug 27, 2008 at 12:13 AM.