T-Stat Issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
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T-Stat Issues
I have a recently rebuilt 72 350 and have a problem with the coolant pushing out the over flow but it is not consistant. It will do it then it will be fine for a while. I don't see anything in the oil or in the coolant or out the pipes. I think it a bad T-stat. If it is, this is the third bad stat I have had. What is or who makes the best quality T-stat available???
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Install an over flow tank. All radiators push a little coolant out as they heat up when they are full. As the radiator cools it will suck coolant out of the tank and eventually purge all the air out of the system. Older vehicles without an over flow tank should not be filled to the top of the radiator.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Gulf of America
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My '72 with base 350 has no expansion tank from the factory. Overfill the radiator and it will overflow. After that it will be fine. The level will be down in the radiator about an inch and a half when cold.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 167
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From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Sounds like you have the radiator too full. With the cap off and engine running, do you see any air bubbles?
Generally speaking, 70-72 cars with aluminum radiators had the aluminum expansion tank. Cars with copper radiators did not get any tank, except the LS5 cars, which had copper radiators and brass tanks.
I have a 72 smallblock with the aluminum radiator and aluminum expansion tank.
Dewey
Generally speaking, 70-72 cars with aluminum radiators had the aluminum expansion tank. Cars with copper radiators did not get any tank, except the LS5 cars, which had copper radiators and brass tanks.
I have a 72 smallblock with the aluminum radiator and aluminum expansion tank.
Dewey
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
As a rule, 68-72 cars with the aluminum radiator have expansion tanks since there is no fill on the radiator. Copper\brass radiator cars do not have tanks since the they have fill caps. The copper\brass radiators are filled to within about an inch of the top leaving an air space for coolant expansion.
General info only; specific applications could vary. Check the AIM for your individual set up.
General info only; specific applications could vary. Check the AIM for your individual set up.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
My car does have an expansion tank. The car was fine for over 500 miles and all of a sudden started pushing fluid. I lowered the level and it still did the same thing. Tried a new cap, The radatior is new. The other stats had different issues. Its weird since it will do it the it will be ok for a while.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
My 72, 350 cu Stingray has the copper/brass radiator with no overflow tank. If I wanted to convert this arrangement to include an overflow tank (thus allowing for more coolant) is the change simply adding the tank and changing the rad cap to a vented type?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Sebring florida
You might want to check for compression in the cooling system,
ie cracked head or cyl wall or head gasket allowing compression into the coolant.
Very easy process. Stant makes a tester that goes on in place of the pressure cap and with a special liquid in a vile you see a color change that means compression in the coolant.
You can have compression in cooling system because of the greater pressure in the cyl than in the coolant and not necessarly have water in the oil.
GHunt
ie cracked head or cyl wall or head gasket allowing compression into the coolant.
Very easy process. Stant makes a tester that goes on in place of the pressure cap and with a special liquid in a vile you see a color change that means compression in the coolant.
You can have compression in cooling system because of the greater pressure in the cyl than in the coolant and not necessarly have water in the oil.
GHunt