Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird August 20, 2007, 06:34:20 PM Got to take my first ride with the nitrous. Started with small jets and only about 100hp. Went on about a 6 mile ride, the roads were a bit wet so I took it easy. Only gave it about 5 hits for maybe only 5 seconds each. Worked just fine but by the time I got home it was blowing coolant out the top of the overflow tank, way over heated.Car cooled down a bit and I checked the thermostat, it was still open and seemed to be working, put a little cold water on it and it closed right up. Filled the radiator and and checked for leaks, don't see any. Let it get up to temp, looked down the open cap and the water is going through the radiator just like it should. Checked the exhaust and I don't see any water coming out there. Timing is right on, runs great.Took it around the block (2 miles) and when I got back it was blowing out water again and over heating. In fact I spilled some water below the thermostat and it was now boiling. Now this is a very cool day for August, even for the northwest, only about 60 degrees.Only thing I can think of is that I blew a head gasket, need to do a compression test. I can't hear worth a but my son was with me on the first ride and he did not hear any pinging or bad things. Funny thing is that it still runs great, strong, and idles as nice as before.My trip to the track August 31st is now canceled. I have to leave Wednesday to take my dad's ashes to California and I don't have any more time for a car repair.TED (bummed out) Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #1 – August 20, 2007, 07:44:37 PM Well, that's a bummer. Is it a wet or dry kit? Did you check the soleniod operations before you connected the lines? Do you have something to pull timing out or did you just set the base lower?I personally never had much luck with nitrous either. I went faster with a 50 shot than a 150 shot during the luxobarge shootout.Jim Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #2 – August 20, 2007, 09:07:13 PM That sucks Ted!We were just getting ready to reschedule the day for Sept 7/8 anyways, maybe you can make that? Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #4 – August 20, 2007, 10:09:31 PM Just did the compression test and all is 150-155. Vacuum is 15.5 at idle; good for a 238@.050 cam. Holds 20 at fast idle, nice and stable.Carb is jetted the same as before so is the timing and it has been through some hot days at the track without boil over.Over heated today without the nitrous, just a 2 mile drive. Fans work as before, no problem. Stat is working good. Water is flowing fine. Why is it over heating? Only thing different is the one inch spacer for the nos plate.The system is a wet system with a separate 1 gallon fuel cell filled with 110 gas. Very mild hit the first run, worked fine, not pinging. Heck I only have 8.5 to one compression and a 500 inch engine.Will pull the stat next and see if it improves or what.Might be able to make 7/8 will let you know.TED (why does this forum think I'm a senior member, I will only be 47 on the 23rd?) Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #5 – August 21, 2007, 12:09:46 AM Pulled the stat completely and now the temp stays where it should during a 6 mile drive. The stat is a 160 degree and it seems to work just fine, it was open when I removed it and then it went right back down again.I hope this is the problem.TED Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #6 – August 21, 2007, 12:16:53 AM try feeling for any cool spots on the radiator. might indicate a clog, under high rpm. Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #7 – August 21, 2007, 01:07:18 PM How's your heat running? Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #8 – August 21, 2007, 01:25:43 PM Quote from: V8Demon;170898How's your heat running?Sorry I'm confused or did I confuse people.Without the stat it runs at a okay temp but with the original stat installed it was running way hot. I know the original stat works so this really confuses me.But now I also hear a slight knock when I hold it at about 2k. Planning on a new engine this winter so the question is, do I drive it a the track and take a chance or do I pull the engine now and check it out. I have extra engines to play with but I don't have time to do this before the 7th.Have not been a good week-end.TED Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #9 – August 21, 2007, 01:30:23 PM I'm referring to the heat in the car. Cold air coming out of the vents with a pegged temp guage would point to a problem..... Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #10 – August 21, 2007, 01:37:17 PM Sounds like my 5.0 when I burned a fire ring after I'd sprayed it a few times... It never had water in the oil or exhaust, but would overfill the overflow bottle... I could see small Alka Selsor size bubbles in the radiator when it was running... Pulling plug wires, I found with #3 off, they stopped... Yep that was the cylinder with the burned spot... Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #11 – August 21, 2007, 01:50:39 PM Run it at the track without the t-stat. I've found the best ET's are always right before something breaks! Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #12 – August 21, 2007, 02:20:30 PM Quote from: Aerobird Motorsports;170908Run it at the track without the t-stat. I've found the best ET's are always right before something breaks!I just don't think I can do this.Drove it again and the temp did stay down to a good temp without the stat, so I guess it's just a bad stat.But the bad new is the knock is getting worse and I cannot run it like this. Did the trick to remove the wires one by one and number 4 is the problem. Does not go away with number four but it gets much better. So it's either a rod bearing or piston pin.I can pull the pan with the engine in the car but it is not fun. Need to raise engine, remove the home made cross member (engine mount) and then pull the pan while supporting the engine up. Bad rod bearing may be a fairly easy fix but the piston pin would be a lot more work.Kind of just think that I should call Potter for a new set of forge pistons, already have the fancy rods and a 094 crank (best Cadillac crank), and just park the car for the year.I already have a set of KB pistons here but don't think they would work with nitrous.But a rod bearing would be a fairly easy and fairly cheap fix. But do I have the time?Why did it just not keep running for another month? I really do not think this is the nitrous fault, just bad luck.TED Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #13 – August 21, 2007, 02:49:02 PM It's OK Ted. Have any other cars you can bring? At this rate the only car at Meet #3 will be John's GTO!! :hick:Maybe we should change it to a BBQ and car show? Quote Selected
Bad day for the Cad-T-Bird Reply #14 – August 21, 2007, 02:58:10 PM Food is always good.TED Quote Selected
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