Surging radiator. I cannot fill it
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
Surging radiator. I cannot fill it
Just like the title says. New Hi-vol Edelbrock waterpump. With the thermostat open, the radiator level surges(rises and falls) dramatically, making it impossible to fill up. The happens level or with front end jacked up. 2 different thermostats have been used. This is at idle and at 2k rpm. Temps fluctuate during driving although they tend to be high.
Water flows nicely thru rad core toward the opening. Fluid is very clean.(new motor)
What am I missing? what is my problem? Help/advice greatly appreciated.
Motor is a carbed 383.
Water flows nicely thru rad core toward the opening. Fluid is very clean.(new motor)
What am I missing? what is my problem? Help/advice greatly appreciated.
Motor is a carbed 383.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Something isn't right here. I have a Stewart waterpump on my 87 and Stewart claims higher flow than the Edelbrock and I can watch my coolant level drop when I slightly race the engine so I can fill it. You should also be able to do the same and a high volume pump isn't related in my opinion. If you have a bad head gasket leak, cylinder pressure can put air into your cooling system making the level unstable, maybe that is where your problem is.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
centrl coaster.... yes... engine is at temp. another interesting note: I added another temp sensor with a seperate gauge, this one on the intake next to the T-stat. While the temp sensor(brand new, replaced old one. new one reads same as old one) in the block may read 240 or even 250 degrees, the temp in the intake is only 190.
If I had a leaking head gasket, wouldn't I notice that in the exhaust?
JFB, you're right.. something isn't right...I'd sure like to find out what.
If I had a leaking head gasket, wouldn't I notice that in the exhaust?
JFB, you're right.. something isn't right...I'd sure like to find out what.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Partial Quote:
If I had a leaking head gasket, wouldn't I notice that in the exhaust?
________________________________________ _________________
Do you have sweet smelling exhaust and/or white colored exhaust smoke ?
If I had a leaking head gasket, wouldn't I notice that in the exhaust?
________________________________________ _________________
Do you have sweet smelling exhaust and/or white colored exhaust smoke ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Could be bad water pump. Take the thermastat completely out and if it surges the pump may be toast. Similar situation with major surges happenned to me, turned out to be water pump.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Don't do it. The t-stat helps keep coolant under pressure in the block, preventing hot-spots (boiling coolant).
Without the t-stat the engine will take forever to warm up, wear faster, and might overflow your overflow tank from over pressure at the cap.
If it's just temporarily, then sure, no prob.
Without the t-stat the engine will take forever to warm up, wear faster, and might overflow your overflow tank from over pressure at the cap.
If it's just temporarily, then sure, no prob.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Water pumps can surge if the system is too restrictive, or the pump is oversized, or if there's air in the system. The water basically stops moving intermittently, and the suction pressure at the pump goes away, causing it to flood out of the radiator cap.
I'd make sure the system is burped well, if that doesn't cut it, I'd try a new waterpump.
I'd make sure the system is burped well, if that doesn't cut it, I'd try a new waterpump.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Tomahawk WI
If it were the wrong rotation would I get any cooling really? Would I see water flowing out of the core rods by the cap? I truly dunno.
Central the burping thing is the problem. I'm tying to burp it, add fluid to top it off when the surging occurs.
Central the burping thing is the problem. I'm tying to burp it, add fluid to top it off when the surging occurs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
Originally Posted by AZC4Guy
Central the burping thing is the problem. I'm tying to burp it, add fluid to top it off when the surging occurs.
The other that I have done to help it out was to fill up the block first(you mentioned fresh build) before installing t.stat, so it doesn't get the chance to overheat and maybe kill the stat.
Last edited by mseven; Jan 2, 2006 at 11:17 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by hippy
What about buying a funnel that has the adapter attached to it so you put in on your radiator like your radiator cap? Depending on the unit you find you can gain 10".
While pouring the coolant, bow up and down at the same rate the coolant surges up and down in the tank 
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
While pouring the coolant, bow up and down at the same rate the coolant surges up and down in the tank