Wynona the wagon's resurrection!

[HRH]

So I changed out the thermostat today. Been chasing a problem of keep her cool at idle. She's fine when you romp on it, but after said sessions, she heats up. Tried the stat and fiddled with the fan shroud. Still doesn't cool off nearly as quickly as she should. The last two items, dare I say it....water pump or head gasket. We did a block test today when cold, nothing showing, but with a slight leak, it usually won't. I have a nasty feeling a poorly performing water pump even with the rust in the system is fairly unlikely. Sigh. Should have taken it all the way apart when I had it out of the car. Haven't decided if I'm going to do more testing or if I'm just going to bite the bullet and do the hg.

Also haven't decided if I want to leave the block in the car to do it, or just yank the whole engine. Honestly not sure which way will be easier.

I just talked to Joe and he made a good point, I need to check the water pump pulley with the belt off. I have been having to adjust the tension on the alternator belt as it's been squeaking. I've been attributing it to the belt or alternator, but maybe the water pump bearing is shitty. I really hope that's the case. I haven't heard any abnormal noises from it, but that's an easy enough thing to check and it will elminate one more possibility.

[DRIVEN]

Well, that thing was pretty fucking rusty inside when you got it. Wouldn't be too shocked that the 30 y/o water pump needed to be replaced.

[HRH]

If you check the build thread, it got a new pump.

[DRIVEN]

I don't really read it. Mostly just skim enough to come up with a sarcastic or disparaging comment.

[BLUE]

FWIW , I had an 81’ zxt coupe. I ended up going through EVERYTHING 3-times before popping out the core plugs. The water jacket looked like cement....like it was filled with cement. I had been told it had “lived on a farm , then on the coast “ before making it into my hands. It warmed up slowly and ran flawlessly other than that.

Not saying it’s your issue at all , but that had been one of mine with slowly heating up with no real clear cut answer. Only time I’ve ever ran into that issue (I’m not a mechanic by trade so my experience and exposure to certain situations is limited/minimal).

[HRH]

Given the inside of the engine when I got it, I actually wouldn't doubt that. Though with the amount of flushes I've done I'm pretty sure all the gunk is out.

[HRH]

Good news! The water pump feels great! Bad news....I'm a little low on coolant and no visible outward leaks. If my hindsight would have allowed me I would have done the head gasket before I put the motor in. Should have given the condition of the block, but you know how you just want it to run.

[BLUE]

I’m unclear , Is a block test the exhaust gases in coolant test or a leak down test ?

If leak down/exhaust gas in coolant test has been performed , Wonder if this would benefit from a UV dye kit and radiator pressure system tester held at psi for as long as it’ll hold it while looking everywhere. That is before having to rip apart an engine.

Condolences

[HRH]

Block test fluid sniffing for exhaust gases. Given my coolant just started disappearing about the same time the problem started, and it has a slight idle irritation when it shouldn't, and coupled with the fact that when hot, cruising down the road at a good clip in very mild temperatures the temp doesn't drop like it should.....it's a head gasket. Hasn't failed all the way yet. But it's there.

[BLUE]

Shit , condolences.

[HRH]

At least it happened before I put the new turbo on and cranked up the boost.

[Taterhead]

Silver lining in a tornado

[wayno]

You have way too many projects going on at one time, even at my most busy I was working on two at the same time unless something broke.

[HRH]

Idle hands are the devil's play things. But yeah, I totally do. Box van springs should be arriving tomorrow!

[HRH]

I spent literally all day yesterday cleaning the garage to get it usable. It's cleaner than it's been in ten years. Still have a little organization to do, cleaning the worktable, etc., but its way more friendly for actually working on the wagon comfortably. I decided to keep the race car on the trailer and build a lean to so I can use the back area for engine building/welding and other projects.

[HRH]

Once I remove the hood and put it in the other room on the body part stand, I'll be able to remove the head with manifolds intact via the hf chain hoist! And it will have head studs for reassembly which means I can put all that stuff on and lower it all down.

[HRH]

Made a little how to video for y'all.

[HRH]

On the spark plugs, #6 is far left. Check out number 1 and 3. See the water traces around the edge? Plugs look good other than that. Debating how I want to get the head off. Realized I have turbo water and oil lines I need to remove before I can yank the whole assembly. Considering yanking the whole engine. Going to eat lunch and think about it.

[BLUE]

Pull the engine and be happy

[HRH]

Lol, but then I might do more than I should! I left it for yesterday and figured I'll pick it up after work or this weekend. Also need to caulk the box van cab. May just do that tonight. The sealant needs to cure for seven days.