The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Hi
I have new problems with my car. Now it is overheating. At the beginning of summer and even in spring engine temperature raised up. I have checked the viscotic fan, thermostat, radiator and then I have found exhaust gases in radiator. I have done overhaul of the top of the engine (new Fel Pro gaskets, machining of heads) and after engine start overheating is still existing. I have checked again the radiator and radiator core is only 0.8 inch thick. I know that in B and RB engines radiator should be at least 1 1”.
Could it be a reason for this problem?
I took off the thermostat and I put “solid” fan and I also “boiled” the engine.
Thanks in advance
Jarek

Sorry, but there is mistake in my message.
Should be "B and RB engines radiator should be at least 1 and 1/4""
Jarek

If you got hydrocarbons in the exaust ya got a leak, head gaskets or cracked head(s) hope it aint too serious

Jarek;
The actual core of a 440 radiator is about 25"x17.5"x1.5" or about twice as thick as the radiator you have. That could well be your problem.

Alex;
Not sure what you mean. Hydrocarbons are always present in exhaust gasses.

Oooooooops, Iment if ya got hydro's in the coolent ya got problems, sorry.

Anyhow I am going off line till after the Nats, I hope you and Linda have a safe journey down and I will see ya there, look for the Rustang with the model carz all around it, oh, I will also have me Chopper out too!!

I think Alex is right. Probably you have a crack in the head(s). These can be very difficult to see. Look in the radiator while winding engine up and down from high to low rpm and vice versa. If you get more bubbles at high rpm you can be sure you have a leak. Most likely in the head(s). if so I suggest you take the heads to some headoverhaul xpert. Good luck!

Wouldn't you buy a new head(s) intsead repairing the old ones? I never heard of repairing a cracked block, so why would you have your cracked heads repaired, are they not both cast parts? Mechanics and machinists alike would agree to having the head replaced.

One of my heads has been repaired.

Did it have any MAJOR cracks?

Some big block heads have a weakness just above the center exhaust ports. The heads I had ported were cracked here (not my original heads) but a good head shop will repair a head very well. The only worry is that sometimes if the engine is overheated it could stress the repair and allow it to fail. Depends a lot where the crack is though.
Some cracks would cost so much to repair that it is cheaper to get another second hand head.

That was the point that I was trying to get at originally. You mentioned earlier Dave that there were other mods that you could do than just swirl porting and polishing, something about a three angle something or another.

Hi,
I've just changed the radiator. I've put radiator with 2-inch core and everything is ok.
I am again on the road....
Jarek

Hi Joel.
I've been away. What were you asking about? Oh three angle valve jobs. That is just a way to get better flow into the cylinder. You will read all about it when you get that book on building small blocks that I keep telling you to get.

Glad you got sorted Jarek.