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markm
04-21-2013, 07:15 PM
I drove my 56 ht for the first time this year and the cooling systen was 12 quarts low. I have stock rad, because OEM fan ate the piece of shit Desert cooler. Stock V8 position rad keeps it at 160-180 and does not leak in warm weather. Yes, I dont believe in SBCs with 6 cyl pos radiators. Is it possible for a rad to leak slow in cold weather only.

mrwrenchman
04-21-2013, 08:27 PM
I had a motorhome that had the same problem. Turned out to be a hose clamp that wasn't completely tight. Don

carls 56 (RIP 11/24/2021)
04-22-2013, 05:43 AM
12 qts low? :confused:

markm
04-22-2013, 05:50 AM
12 qts low? :confused:

Thats what I figured a full antifreeze jug and 1/2 another,went for a drive and its fine.

chevynut
04-22-2013, 07:37 AM
Isn't 12 quarts low just about empty? Where did it go? Wasn't there any evidence of leaking?

Troy
04-22-2013, 08:00 AM
A full jug of anti-freeze is only 1 gallon or 4 quarts, so 1 1/2 jugs would be 6 quarts low. Still quite a bit low. do you have a wet carpet, maybe the heater core leaked?

markm
04-22-2013, 08:24 AM
A full jug of anti-freeze is only 1 gallon or 4 quarts, so 1 1/2 jugs would be 6 quarts low. Still quite a bit low. do you have a wet carpet, maybe the heater core leaked?

Duh, I must have been using some form of Chicago vote countin math. Still woud like to know where the six quarts went.

chevynut
04-22-2013, 08:44 AM
Check your dipstick. A gasket leak may have drained it into your oilpan...not a good thing.

Rick_L
04-22-2013, 10:29 AM
No such thing as a "cold weather leak". It's just going to get bigger now.

chevynut
04-22-2013, 10:46 AM
Could be a cracked block or head too. I would check the oilpan for coolant. I've seen this happen once before....the oil was like a milkshake. If there's no evidence of it leaking out anywhere, it must be in the engine.

markm
04-27-2013, 06:22 PM
I looked the other day 1/2 quart low on oil and now has antifreeze on floor. I bought an alum. rad. at Pate.

Rick_L
04-28-2013, 04:51 PM
You forgot to pick up an aluminum block and heads though.

markm
04-28-2013, 05:45 PM
I almost picked up a set of factory alum BBC heads one was broke that did not really scare me it was all the grinding that was done on exhaust ports. I have a buddy who is talented at welding alum heads. My 55 would be badass with alum heads under the tunnel ram/