[titan396]

Was running my big block for the 2nd or 3rd time, and had it going about 2500rpm, just to piss off the neighbors on sunday morning , anyway, a couple of plug wires caught on fire, (to close to headers, another problem), so I shut it down, when I did, (keep in mind radiator cap was off this whole time), I got a gusher about 20 feet in the air, and drained about 1/2 my radiator.

What gives. seems strange, but I don't recall every having this happen to me on any other motor I've built. any help would be appreciated, thx.

 

[Xtreme70SS396]

I'm guessing here - but I'd bet your t-stat was closed until after you shut off your engine. All the antifreeze just sitting there against the hot heads and block quickly reached boiling point, at which time the t-stat opened to release the pressure.

 

[davis95]

Mark's advice sounds pretty on. Just wondering, what's up with you wanting to make your neighbors hate you?

 

[cv67]

I dont know what to say except you prolly had to be there. l

 

[ALUMITECH REPRODUCTIONS]

I'm guessing here - but I'd bet your t-stat was closed until after you shut off your engine. All the antifreeze just sitting there against the hot heads and block quickly reached boiling point, at which time the t-stat opened to release the pressure.

yuper that sounds about right .. cap off coolant hit boiling point in the the heat soaked block at 211 degrees and old fait full ..gushed .

bet the nabors just shook there heads ...went back inside and had a good chuckel over coffee .

 

[Schurkey]

I'm guessing here - but I'd bet your t-stat was closed until after you shut off your engine. All the antifreeze just sitting there against the hot heads and block quickly reached boiling point, at which time the t-stat opened to release the pressure.

What pressure? There is NOTHING preventing the coolant from going backwards through the water pump passages and into the lower rad hose once the pump isn't turning.




Rev your engine as you watch the coolant level in the radiator. Every time you speed up the engine, the coolant level will drop; every time you let go of the throttle so the engine slows down, the coolant level will rise. You combine this with some heat-soak; and the result is what happened to you--a geyser.

Having the thermostat open or closed has nothing to do with the geyser. All that matters is the slowing of the water pump and the heating of the coolant.

 

[titan396]

thx for the input guys, as far as the neighbors, it was a joke HELLO, I was thinking the same about the tstat, and the cap being off, couldn't build up pressure to hold the boiling point down.

 

[Rich-L79]

Why was the radiator cap off in the first place?

 

[Xplantdad]

Why was the radiator cap off in the first place?

Uh, to piss off the neighbors?

 

[titan396]

the cap was off to top off coolant, and check for flow. why else? Oh, to watch the gusher...