1954 cooling troubles

[Guy M.]

I started the car today and when it came up to temp it pumped coolant out the expansion tank again. When it ran without the body there was no problem having looped in inlet and outlet on the pump and thermostat. The only difference is the addition of the heater core and valve which is open. It almost seems the flow is reversed. The freeze plug behind the water pump is out. I have no clue what to think here. Any ideas folks. Has this happened to any of you?

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Never had this issue. But maybe you need to burp the air out of the system.

[Guy M.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Why would 1/2 gallon of water erupt from the tank? It must have had no where to go once circulation started. I wonder if there is a blockage of some sort like a rag that might have been put in the lower radiator hose during the mating process. Would a stuck thermostat do it? I had the cap off so I could tell if it needed toped off after the thermostat opened. What a mess on pretty engine! Thanks Troy.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Guy,

Could be air in the system as Troy said. I use the Stewart components Robert Shaw thermostat on V/8's https://www.stewartcomponents.com/in...tegory&path=61

Stewart's modified Robert Shaw thermostat shouldn't ever block and has holes to help bleed out trapped air.

Question - did you fill the block completely before you installed the thermostat?

Gary
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[Leif A.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Guy,Could be air in the system as Troy said. I use the Stewart components Robert Shaw thermostat on V/8's https://www.stewartcomponents.com/in...tegory&path=61Stewart's modified Robert Shaw thermostat shouldn't ever block and has holes to help bleed out trapped air.Question - did you fill the block completely before you installed the thermostat?Gary....

Gary,Did you use one of Stewart's high flow water pumps as they recommend/require?Leif

[Gary C.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Leif,

Use FloKooler high flow water pump on non Judged Corvette.

Gary
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[Guy M.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Hi Gary, I had the chasis rigged to run and it ran well, so all I did was drain the radiator and removed it and sent the chasis on. Maybe I sould remove the thermostat after draining the radiator a bit and fill the block and install this thermostat? I havent done anything yet. It went over 180 degrees when I glanced at the temp gague as I shut it off. Maybe there isnt enough water in the block due to thr thermostat. This is the first fire up attempt since body drop and wiring. Thanks for the help, I dont want to start digging without a plan.

[Gary C.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Guy,

Would pull the thermostat and make sure the block's full and reuse your existing thermostat.

Don't know if RobertShaw makes a 6 cylinder themostat or not. Posted the Stewart info because they modify by adding bleed holes. Bleed holes help with getting trapped air out. Google and you should find articles on drilling thermostat bleed holes. There are pro and con posts on the Internet about drilling bleed holes in thermostats.

There's a "fail safe" thermostat available, but I've never tried one. http://www.motoradusa.com/fail-safe-thermostat/

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/Thermostats/03442/C0331.oap?year=1954&make=Chevrolet&model=Corvette&vi=1326507

Gary
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[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Guy....
Sorry for the troubles....
Just a double check - thermostat installed correctly ?
I have seen them in upside down
I know - ....but it does happen
Many t-stats have a giggler hole for air bubbles
Many guys drill a small 1/8 hole in the flange for air

heater hoses get hot ?
upper rad hose get hot?
Have you tried to run it with the Rad cap on?

[Guy M.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

Thanks everyone. Chris the heater hose did get hot. I picked up a new Murry T stat so I think I will drill a hole for air. The T-stat has to be in correctly because it ran fine before we put the body on. Heres my plan, drain it down and remove bottom hose just in case and chek for a blockage. Put it back on and remove T-stat and fill as much as I can directly there so I know the block is full. I left the cap off wating fot the T-stat to open to see if it needed more. Then I guess Ill try it again. Drilling a hole wont cause any problems will it? Thanks again

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 cooling troubles

if it has a "jiggle" valve in it - leave it alone
if it does - a small hole lets steam/air past the T stat and assists in burping the air out....