69 RR lives, BUT.......

[Shuboxlover]

LOOOOOONG story short...

New 426 Hemi crate motor in my RR...Fired for the first time last week (it didn't even crank over one complete rev. until she fired up )

Seemed to be getting hot....only ran it for about 5 minutes at ~2250 RPM's.

Couple days later I took the radiator cap off, checked the antifreeze (full) and fired it up again. (there is no thermostat OR heater core in the car) Ran it at 2250 RPM's again and it sucked down the antifreeze about 5", enough where I could see the fluid pumping through the radiator. While I kept the RPM's the same I filled the radiator full. Noticed the car was getting warm (too warm I thought) and let off the throttle to shut the car off then all the antifreeze I just put in puked out of the radiator.

Sooo......do I have an air pocket somewhere???

Any suggestions?

 

[Dako]

You may have had an air pocket initially. It is common when filling a 'dry' (new) motor. You didn't indicate you have an overflow tank, so we'll assume you don't. Remember, the coolant expands some as it warms up, so without an overflow tank that expanded coolant has to go somewhere. To prevent this you don't want the radiator full to the top when cold. I run mine (without overflow tank) down about an inch from the cap and have yet to have a problem.

You didn't say how hot you are getting. Are you looking at a factory gauge with no numbers? If so, and you are concerned with actual temps you have a couple inexpensive options:

1. Hook up an aftermarket gauge (loose) so you can monitor temps during break-in.
2. If you already own one or know someone who does...Use a hand held thermal imaging gun like what is used on a house to look for heat escaping. Simply point it at the intake near the thermostat housing.
3. What I did...Used an inexpensive Craftsman multimeter with a thermostat attachment taped to the intake to get a digital reading.

If your temp is actually high, are you running a fan shroud? Is the fan at least half way into the shroud? If not on either, these can contribute to increased eng temps. Maybe you have a large fan you can set infront of the car to aid in airflow across the radiator. You can run that motor a bit up over 200 deg. during break-in and it should be fine as long as the temp stays constant. I'm not sure why you want you want the T-stat out...having it in would help 'control' the temp. That IS, afterall, why they are in there in the 1st place.

Good luck with your break-in run!

 

[Hemi Rebel]

With the rpm's up, the pump will pull coolant out of the radiator. That is normal. I suggest an overflow bottle. How hot is it getting anyway?

 

[RustyRatRod]

What is it with people that they don't run a thermostat? I don't get it. If I spent the money on a Hemi crate engine, I sure as hell wouldn't risk it by not running one. Not saying that's your problem, but you need a thermostat.

 

[Hemirunner]

What was the ignition timing at?

 

[benno440]

probably a chebbie owner told him it runs better without one

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Yeah pretty big investment not to have a stat!? And all new motors run hot all of them if they are put together right lol Should have kept those rpm's up for a good bit longer let it break in, let those rings seat etc.

Fill the rad to just an inch under the ridge line of the cap neck get a catch can for sure summit and Jegs both sell pretty fancy ones now for under $40 let the motor do it's thing unless you have your timing way out but you can't check unless it's running ;)

and PICS!!! MUST HAVE PICS! especially a HEMI!

 

[RustyRatRod]

What was the ignition timing at?

Probably entirely too low.

 

[Shuboxlover]

HeyHeyHey guys.....taking a beating here about the T-stat....

One will be put in eventually....

(1) I do have an overflow bottle.
(2) I do not know the actual temp....the sending unit (new) reads about 330ish Ohms at ambient temp, when I thought the engine was too warm and shut it down, it was reading 34 Ohms.
(3) Our mechanic (one of the best around) is going to come out with his infrared temp reader and take some readings.
(4) timing??? I'm not sure, our mechanic had his timing light on it and said it was really good for now, until we get the temp thing figured out.

Thanks for the input guys, if you have anymore to say after reading this feel free, if not, I'll keep you up to date

 

[WP29440SE]

amazing that nobody would put a mechanical temp gauge on it at least to break it in with

 

[RustyRatRod]

HeyHeyHey guys.....taking a beating here about the T-stat....

Well what do you expect? Leaving a t stat out can actually CAUSE air pockets because the cooling system is allowed unrestricted flow. With a t stat, it kinda "calms the flow" just enough to allow the cooling system to fill completely and gently. You spent tens of thousands of dollars on a crate engine didn't put a t stat in it, come on here and tell us all about it and expect not to take a beatin? Really? Most of us will never be able to afford a Hemi crate engine. When we see somebody doin sumffin stupid with one, we gotta speak up. Put the thermostat in NOW, get some more timing in it and let us know what happens.

- - - Updated - - -

amazing that nobody would put a mechanical temp gauge on it at least to break it in with

Isn't it?

 

[Shuboxlover]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks guys, you really know how to hit a guy where it counts!!!!!!!!

I guess I'll look elsewhere for advise....I belong to lots of other forums (from garden tractors, other cars, and a bunch of other stuff) and haven't taken a beating like this on them, even though I've done some not so smart things (only human) they have never made me feel like SHI#

good bye!!!!!!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Sorry you don't know good advice when you read it. If you want to feel all warm and fuzzy, maybe you should go join Oprah's site so you can cry with the girls and sing kum bah yah. I mean really man, we're trying to help you....just like you asked for. Just because it's not in a form you like doesn't mean it's not good advice. There's are a lot of good people here. You've gotten good advice so far. You won't find a better site.....but if that's what you choose, good luck.

 

[Shuboxlover]

Yes, you're right....I got great advise from.....


DAKO...Hemi Rebel...Hemi Runner and bigmanjbmopar....

And amazingly enough, they did it without being a DB a-hole AND gave constructive criticism!!!!!!!!!! Maybe you could take some pointers, I'm not some soft hearted mommas boy, but damn dude, take a lesson in people skills!!!!!!!!!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Ok, who needs lessons in people skills? I'm not the one callin names here. YOU spent thousands of dollars on a Hemi crate engine. YOU fired it up incomplete. Not any of us. YOU did. No thermostat, no temp gauge. NONE of us did that. YOU did. Then you come on here come on here tellin us about it and expect not to get ribbed some. You got ribbed. Nothing more, yet you act like I insulted your family heritage. Not only that, but then you start calling me names......nobody called you names. ...........and I probably gave you the best advice of all. I can promise you one thing. It'll be a cold day in hell before I throw out anymore advice your way. But you know what? I still wish you luck. I hope you get your Hemi running right. It'll be one more MoPar on the road.

 

[super-bee_ski]

LOOOOOONG story short...

New 426 Hemi crate motor in my RR...Fired for the first time last week (it didn't even crank over one complete rev. until she fired up )

Seemed to be getting hot....only ran it for about 5 minutes at ~2250 RPM's.

Couple days later I took the radiator cap off, checked the antifreeze (full) and fired it up again. (there is no thermostat OR heater core in the car) Ran it at 2250 RPM's again and it sucked down the antifreeze about 5", enough where I could see the fluid pumping through the radiator. While I kept the RPM's the same I filled the radiator full. Noticed the car was getting warm (too warm I thought) and let off the throttle to shut the car off then all the antifreeze I just put in puked out of the radiator.

Sooo......do I have an air pocket somewhere???

Any suggestions?

Well,
First off....
1. The Hemi has already been run at the shop that assembled it.. (You did not say if it was INDY/Legend or Ma Mopar of FHO..)
2. All info stated above is valid data.
Now to extrapolate...

As Rusty and the Forum point out, the thermo-stat slows & controls coolant flow.
BUT YOU KNEW THAT because if your playing w/ a Hemi, your not a beginner.

So, it could be cavitation, air pockets etc.
As far as heat, when I ran my 1970 hemi on the dyno I had 1,200 degree + exhaust temp degrees...
Sounds like your in "Good Hands" with your mechanic friend...
Good, keep us posted..
Again, numerous issues to be worked out.
As with any new/re-built engine...

 

[Shuboxlover]

Thanks Super_bee_ski...

Indeed the motor was run at the place of assembly. That exhaust temp is good to know, once I get my hands on the thermal gun, that will reveal a lot of info. A T-stat will be put in (what degree should I go with) and then we'll see what happens.




Rusty....sorry for calling you names, I was wrong to do so!!!

 

[WP29440SE]

run it with a good ole 180*

 

[RustyRatRod]

Accepted. That's why we're harpin on timing. Retarded timin is the number one thing that will make a new engine overheat. Because it allows the fuel to keep burnin comin out the exhaust since the firing of the plugs is late. Couple that with no thermostat and you have a recipe to overheat. It's possible that having no thermostat is not letting the water stay in the radiator long enough to cool off....not to mention all the previous problems mentioned before. Just finish it up and get it complete and try it again. Give it a little more timing too and I bet it'll be fine. .....and stop bitin the hand that feeds you.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Hey I got a compliment right on! ;)