Low coolant on startup rebuild

[Paul K.]

After 14 min run time startup on rebuild 427/390 AC, (engine running great) we noticed the engine getting warm,
At 17 min, Infared gun at thermostat housing showed 240, temp gauge showed 215. we lowered idle and shut off, some steam came out of reservoir overflow hose. (not much) I discovered that i only put in 17 qts of 50/50 coolant instead of recommended 21 qts w/o heater,
The next day, filled with 4 more qts coolant, we fired it up with no problems. let it run for anotherr 15-18 min.ran great, no overheating
Do you think I did any damage, or what can I do to check out the engine since the body is not on yet

Paul klemetson

[Michael W.]

Re: Low coolant on startup rebuild

Sounds perfectly normal and no damage was done. The 4 quarts was simply a big air bubble that needed to be burped.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Low coolant on startup rebuild

Paul,

I don't think you hurt anything at 240*. I know it's hot but with a good radiator cap the boiling point of the 50/50 mix should be about 265.

Make sure the radiator cap is holding pressure as this is a very important component of the cooling system.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Low coolant on startup rebuild

Paul,
The only thing I can think of damage wise would be the new rings.

I saw it happen once and think the engine was much warmer than yours.

The rings were file fit to .012 on the top and .011 on the lower compression ring and when the end gaps butted and the temp rose, the rings broke (tops only).

later a compression test showed low compression on all cylinders and eventually the oil consumption rose.

It was a much warmer than yours and you should be OK. If you fitted the rings with minimum gap (file fit) then you might have a small chance that you damaged the rings or cylinder walls.

You can take a look with a borescope and check for cylinder scratches which happens with to much heat after the rings butt, expand, and sctatch the cylinder.

Cosco has the bore scopes for under a hundred bucks and do a pretty god job if you really think you did damage.

Perfect circle rings said (back in the 60's) that their rings were designed to be round at 180 and now later engines run at higer temps.

DOM

[Paul K.]

Re: Low coolant on startup rebuild

thanks for your replys