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54 Chrysler cooling question


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trying to solve my running hot issue on my 54 chrysler 265 engine. my question is can exhaust gases get into the cooling system with the engine running but the engine does not lose water?     dennis

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There is a tool you can get that uses a blue colored fluid to check for combustion gas in the cooling system. It is not a perfect test, but if a car fails this test, there is definitely combustion gas in the cooling system.

 

If you happen to be in the US, you can buy/rent one of these tools at Oreilly or Autozone on their tool loaner program. You take the tool back when you are done for a full refund. The only out of pocket cost in the end is the bottle of blue colored fluid which you must buy outright.

 

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so it is possible but not lkely. i was guessing the head gasket as that was replaced about 4 years ago. my compression is 100# in all cylinders xcept # 4 which is about 75#. i did not have the head resurfaced at that time. is there a name for this tool to check for exhaust gas in the cooling system? i can ask at o'reillys this weekend.   thanks,  dennis

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rented that tool and the cooling system has no exhaust gas in it. the car has a new dist. tube. i bought a shroud and i am looking for a 6 blade fan.no luck so far. they were used on alot of 50's mopars and trucks. don't know why it is so hard to find.     dennis

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Be sure that your timing is set right at idle and that it advances. The block might be full of sludge. You might need to knock the core plugs out and clean out the water jackets. @keithb7 posted pictures of an engine about like yours recently that had an unbelievable amount of sludge in there. The radiator might be clogged. If you disturb things by cleaning out the water jackets, I would suggest you add "Grimy's Sock" to the upper hose to catch anything you weren't able to flush out, so it doesn't just float up and clog the radiator.

 

The big fan will help at idle and in parades. At speed it will probably do more harm than good, though it should be OK to run. The same goes for the shroud. For issues at speed, look over the front of the car for missing shields, pans, rubber flaps, etc. The air that comes through the grille should have no easy way to get to the engine compartment without going through the radiator first.

 

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58 minutes ago, Chry54 said:

at idle.will run coolest at about 45 mph, and then hotter at 60 and above.stop and go on hot days is the worst..  Dennis

 

It appears to be how these cars of this era run when it comes to cooling.  54 Buick 264 nailhead.  Idle runs warm.  Stop and go runs very warm.  What is specific issue? 

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i have pulled the core plugs and flushed. i think there are areas you cannot get to this way. the rad is recored and clean.other people have said a shroud and a 6 blade fan has helped considerably. an essy project if and when i find a fan.  just want the car to be driven in the NC heat.  thanks,  dennis

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3 hours ago, Chry54 said:

i have pulled the core plugs and flushed. i think there are areas you cannot get to this way. the rad is recored and clean.other people have said a shroud and a 6 blade fan has helped considerably. an essy project if and when i find a fan.  just want the car to be driven in the NC heat.  thanks,  dennis

 

Ok, what is the temperature the engine is running?  

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running at around 180 at idle in the garage when warmed up. temp guage right in the middle. at the top of the guage runs at around 200. maybe i need a higher capacity rad. current one is the original, but recored. it is a 3 row. maybe i need a 4?  dennis

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Posted (edited)
15 hours ago, Chry54 said:

running at around 180 at idle in the garage when warmed up. temp guage right in the middle. at the top of the guage runs at around 200. maybe i need a higher capacity rad. current one is the original, but recored. it is a 3 row. maybe i need a 4?  dennis

I don't see an issue with your cooling.  My 54 has exactly the same cooling characteristics as your Chrysler. Never boils over in the hottest of summer days. 

Edited by avgwarhawk (see edit history)
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