A little background on myself may be in order. I am a displaced (laid off) Information Technologist that is also a certified journeyman mechanic and racecar fabricator (my current and only vocation).
Now to address your messages: Bjorn Sefeldt * All of the filler panels and the "X" panels are there and in great condition. * Thermostat is a 180 and has tested fine. * Radiator is a new Desert Cooler - I can only assume that there are no restrictions in it. * Water pump is new OEM - the plates did not have the rubber O-ring on them to keep them from rattling.
1stgenbirdman - Brett * The 69 and later (from what I have read) use a different type of plate that requires O-ringed tubes to the timing chain housing. The 67 motor I have has no provision for the tubes although the port on the passenger side of the inner plate mates up with the hole through the housing to the block. * Timing shouldn't be an issue if it's set at 6 BTDC. I will try different settings and note the results. * Water wetter - may end up giving that a try too. I have a couple bottles in the trailer. * I live in South Minneapolis not far from Minnehaha Park and the Mississippi river. I hope I don't have to sell it either but it's looking more like it has to go..
sixstarved - Scott * Pump is new and seal is good. I made a new gasket from high density hardboard (USPS Priority Mail envelope). * Corrosion - no real sign of corrosion. As I said earlier, this engine only has about 1500 miles on it. The steel plates were in real good shape. * Coolant mixture - I typically run a 50/50 mix because it gets so bloody cold up here I want the extra protection. Also, that mixture has a substantially higher boiling point.
All - here is what I have done or am in the process of doing;
Water pump - I cleaned and re-installed the plates and sealed them in place with high-temp RTV since the rubber seals that they are supposed to be captured in have disappeared over the years. I now completely understand their function to allow a metered amount of coolant to be cycled from the block into the water pump and pushed back into the block - regardless of thermostat position. The plates also channel the output of the pump to the block. The WP itself was cleaned and re-painted, re-installed with a new gasket. It is the good HD 8 bolt unit with the cast impeller.
Radiator - I have removed the BeCool aluminum radiator and will be installing the Desert Cooler. 16# radiator cap. Factory shroud will also be re-installed.
Fan - the NOS Fan clutch will be installed. The clutch had been eliminated with a locked hub that would force the fan to spin at all times - this may be required if I cannot get it to cool down.
Heater core - hoses will be connected / they were blocked off before.
Timing - I found the distributor to be loose when I went to remove the cap and wires for inspection. I have no idea if it was ever tight but the engine ran well - it is possible that he set it at 6 degrees and never tightened it down!
Pulley - It has a HUGE pulley that actually is larger than the diameter of the crank pulley. I am sure the car would benefit from a smaller pulley. Any ideas where to find one?
Thanks for your help and insight guys! I am constantly amazed at the friendliness of fellow gearheads on the internet!
