Hey all, I have a 70 chevelle with the 305 in it. So to start, about two weeks ago we had a scorcher of a day out here she over heated. I couldn't figure out why because it shouldn't have a problem. I took it home, drained it and there was brownish fluid coming out. it obviously had not been flushed since factory. I did the old flush routine, bought a rab flush. did that, and replaced my thermostat.

now, today, my rad hose burst. I HAD to drive it about 15 minutes to get to the parts store as I was out and the girl I was with wasn't too happy. I got it fixed, and filled the rad to about 75% (I know, I didnt have enough coolant).

now, I drove her about...a solid 30-45 minutes and it was fine. then I drove it about 15 minutes back home, and its steaming...and it has a hint of sweetness. But I look at the rad and there isnt a burst or a sign of coolant coming off anywhere. do you guys think its possible that ist just water hitting my rad and evaporating and smelling sweet because of the coolant from the burst? I'm really stumped here guys...

thanks in advanced... Tom

70 chevelle w/305? hint of sweetness? are you drinking this stuff? never run tap water in rad always distilled. check for leaks at hoses ,drain ,cap. do you have a fan shroud? hows your clutch fan? ect ect.

wash the engine compartment out...that way you'll be able to better spot or smell coolant leaks

always, always fill the radiator....Canada, 50-50 mix because winter is on the way.
Better to run a weaker mixture and have a full radiator then 75% full

what is the shape of the radiator?
Checked it for debris in the fins?
Hoses, fan clutch, fan shroud as Karl suggested?
Blown radiator hose indicates to me that basic operator maintenance has not been performed......

I did check the hoses, drain and cap. I have a new cap too...about a week old.

I didn't check the fan clutch because I came back pretty late and had no light.
And I do realize that filling it 75% was a bad idea but I literally had nothing else. I parked the car and walked about 30 minutes to the partstore and 30 back.

there is nothing in the fins, I checked that.
the shroud IS cracked though, came that way....
I have to readjust it all the time but yeah. thanks

Another thing is that RETARDED timing make an engine run hot.
305 heads have a reputation for cracking....