Topic: head gasket toasted

[bumati]

 Well with the bank's header debacle now the head gasket is well toasted.   I looked in the rear view.   All I saw was steam. Sweet smelly steam.  It drank 3 quarts antifreeze in 4 miles.  Oh well at least it's not in the oil.

[bumati]

Well the head is back.  It was decked and rebuilt by s local for 155$  he said it got hot and distorted all the seats.  Spent the afternoon installing it. Ran great then proceeded up overheat.  As it turns out there was an air pocket in the water pump. I removed the thermostat.  Ran it for a few minutes reinstalled the thermostat and now it works rather well.    Has anybody heard of this bubble?
Lastly is it necessary to Re torque the head?  Box said no but ET racers say yes.

[Jeffy]

It's common to get air pockets when flushing the coolant system.  Having a thermostat with a purge hole is a plus.

You don't have to BUT he's a racer and they like to make sure.  Probably a good idea anyway.

[dwtaylorpdx]

Typically you re-torque gaskets that have no crush. If its crush-able
FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!
The Felpro web site documents some of this I believe...

Even the best engine builders have "superstitions" from back in the day.

I know that  you will get 100% failure on some head gaskets if they
are not torqued to spec and left alone.... :)

Dave

[aw12345]

To get the air bubble out of the engine quickly leave one of the heater hoses of when filling the engine with coolant when the coolant comes out of the heater hose most all of the air is expelled, then reinstall said heater hose, top of the radiator and the engine will not overheat

[95 Lowbuck]

Had the same problem the first time I changed the coolant.
I installed a Prestone radiator flush kit, it puts a port on
one of your heater core lines, and was able to purge the system.