legacycentral bbs

But this time it wasn't my fault!!!!!!!!

I was coming home tonight from the Late Night Drags at PIR and when I hit construction and had to slow down to a crawl, the engine up and killed. And then a huge cloud of smoke enveloped me. The wagon started right back up but I now noticed the temp gauge was pegged. I turned the heat on. Nothing.

AND I AM STUCK IN TRAFFIC AT 12:30 in the morning! I assumed I HAD broken something at the track, and therefore caused a headgasket to blow, so I just kept driving. A towbill would be the same as a rebuild, I just hoped the motor would not sieze.

I finally get back to the shop where I can drop it off and get my van. The engine is kinda noisy and HOT. I jump out and start filling the radiator while the engine is still running to try to get it to cool down. Water starts pouring out from the bottom of the radiator.

The RADIATOR has a FUCKING hole in it. NO clue where it came from..

So I run alot of water through the engine to cool it down but since I don't have a hose, I have to run back and forth from the shop sink. I get it cooled down and start it up. Runs fine, but a little noisy. I suspect I need to change the oil...........

Well, I was kinda thinking of installing the turbo block next week, looks like my hand has been forced. I just hope I didnt warp the heads.


I am going to install an extra radiator tommorrow and see how it runs. It should run fine as long as the headgaskets aren't damaged. I ran it out of oil pretty bad a few years ago and once I finlled it back up, the weird knocking noises went away. However this time I bet I finally did some damage to the bearings.

Hope it runs for a week........

Hey Doug. Ive got an extra radiator for that thing if you want it. Looks like I might have another set of 2.5 heads for ya too.

Thanks for the offer Kelly.

But since I have to do it in a weekend, I am just going to pull and swap all the parts over this coming weekend.

i think you might need to consider a lower pressure rad cap. if you run your coolant temp to high it will make it so your cap cant bleed the pressure and put a hole in your raditor. but if you have a cap that bleeds the pressure at a lower point it lessens your chances of getting to cap failure.

The verdict is in.

Bad head gasket (or two).

Actually not bad considering it ran without water for at least 15 minutes.

I replaced the radiator this morning and changed the oil (P-U!!!!). Car runs great. Engine sounds strong and runs strong. Only problem is the bubbling air coming out of the radiator!

Driving it on the freeway 10 miles or so isnt a problem. But I think I might want to driver longer/harder down the road.

Doug, find some one who can do a hydrocarbon test. I will tell you for sure if the headgasket is blow and pressurizing the cooling system. It may be air pockets in the cooling system causing the bubbles. Considering that you ran it completely out of water it is a possibility.

Ken

Naw, its shot. I have done it twice now where the air is completely bubbling out in relation to the rpm!

You going to have it running by the 24th? I'm going to be up in PDX again.

I'm going to stop by Rallitek in the afternoon. I want to talk to Sean some more about the PP.

I hope so. If I get the money together I will have it running again this coming Monday (August 15th).

I have to get some heads rebuilt ($150), new rings $55, headgasket set $140 and misc $50.

I have extra heads, so I am going to get them done first, then rings and install heads, then when the motor is done, I will pull my existing motor, and swap over the intake manifold and drop it back in.

If I get lucky, I will find a stock flywheel and dump the heavy forester flywheel.

where do you get your heads rebuilt for $150? I payed over $300.
good luck getting that thing running.

Local shop, Cylinder Head Specialties.

If I bring in three sets, they will do them for $140 a set. Howerver, I don't think I need them that bad!