I have searched the forum for related posts and found alot on head gaskets, cracked heads, vapor out the tailpipe etc, but still feel like I am not finding info particular to my situation, which is:
I have a mild 327 in my 68 Camaro. I bought it from a friend of a friend, so I dont know much about it. It has 283 power pak heads, performer intake with Summit 600 carb and headers with an m21 and looked to have been recently rebuilt. Its been in the car about 2 years now, and I drive it a few times a week to work (about 10 miles) and take the kids to get ice cream and such. Its a fun cruiser, and the few times I have gotten "on it" have rarely been over 3500rpm. I have a BeCool aluminum radiator with an aluminum shroud and dual electric fans with a toggle switch. No a/c, no power steering, just an alternator.
Up untill a couple weeks ago, no running hot issues at all- even through the hellish phoenix summers. It would run around 180ish and when it creeped up I would flip the fans on and it would stay around 185ish.
Now, when I start it up, after idling for 3-5min, the temp gauge quickly rises to 180deg. Took it for a "spirited" trip around the block, and the temp is up to 200deg. Pull into the driveway, shut it down and the temp creeps up to about 230deg and its puking out the overflow hose. The hoses are rock hard and very hot to touch. I am running a water/antifreeze combo.
Observations:
I did notice that the drivers side tailpipe has alot of black vapor (one of my forum searches for that) dripping out of it when I start it up- the pass side not so much. It didnt always do that.
It runs great- lots of power (for what it is), no mis- firing, sounds great.
I did replace the thermostat with a 180deg one, and added some purple ice, after the initial hot run a few weeks ago, but nothing changed.
So, now I am worried- cracked head, block, blown head gasket...
I checked the head bolts last night but they were all right at 65lb ft, so...
Could it possibly be the water pump? I hate to start chasing my tail and start replacing things that may be ok.
So, thats why I am here. This group has never disapointed me with their knowledge.
Sorry for the long post- wanted to make sure you had all the info you needed.
Thanks in advance for the replies- its finally cruising weather in Phoenix and I need my baby to be ready...
Dean in AZ
I have a mild 327 in my 68 Camaro. I bought it from a friend of a friend, so I dont know much about it. It has 283 power pak heads, performer intake with Summit 600 carb and headers with an m21 and looked to have been recently rebuilt. Its been in the car about 2 years now, and I drive it a few times a week to work (about 10 miles) and take the kids to get ice cream and such. Its a fun cruiser, and the few times I have gotten "on it" have rarely been over 3500rpm. I have a BeCool aluminum radiator with an aluminum shroud and dual electric fans with a toggle switch. No a/c, no power steering, just an alternator.
Up untill a couple weeks ago, no running hot issues at all- even through the hellish phoenix summers. It would run around 180ish and when it creeped up I would flip the fans on and it would stay around 185ish.
Now, when I start it up, after idling for 3-5min, the temp gauge quickly rises to 180deg. Took it for a "spirited" trip around the block, and the temp is up to 200deg. Pull into the driveway, shut it down and the temp creeps up to about 230deg and its puking out the overflow hose. The hoses are rock hard and very hot to touch. I am running a water/antifreeze combo.
Observations:
I did notice that the drivers side tailpipe has alot of black vapor (one of my forum searches for that) dripping out of it when I start it up- the pass side not so much. It didnt always do that.
It runs great- lots of power (for what it is), no mis- firing, sounds great.
I did replace the thermostat with a 180deg one, and added some purple ice, after the initial hot run a few weeks ago, but nothing changed.
So, now I am worried- cracked head, block, blown head gasket...
I checked the head bolts last night but they were all right at 65lb ft, so...
Could it possibly be the water pump? I hate to start chasing my tail and start replacing things that may be ok.
So, thats why I am here. This group has never disapointed me with their knowledge.
Sorry for the long post- wanted to make sure you had all the info you needed.
Thanks in advance for the replies- its finally cruising weather in Phoenix and I need my baby to be ready...
Dean in AZ