Air bubbles in overflow

[TURBOTIMMER]

Got my wh1 on the road last week. Basically, I slammed a mystery motor and trans in the car I really knew no history about. The motor is quiet, and it runs cool (about 165-170) around town. After I shut it off, I can see air bubbles in the overflow jug and it is now almost completely full of coolant. I know it probably needs a radiator cap minimum, but the air bubbles maybe a sign of something else. Any advice is appreciated. I never did a compression check before the install. This was a temporary drivetrain to get the car on the road, but I was hoping it would last a little while.

 

[Pronto]

Sorry to say, head gaskets, at least it was for me...

 

[Nick Micale]

Did you re-torque the heads first?

If not, try that.

Most head gasket issues I have seen are do to in-sufficient torque on the head bolts or studs.

This should be a routine item like an oil change on any rebuilt street or strip engine.

With a little grinding on the headers in some places for access with a socket, this will help simplify the process.

 

[Pronto]

Now you know what the mystery was...

 

[TURBOTIMMER]

That's what I was thinking too. Oh well, not the end of the world

Did you re-torque the heads first?

If not, try that.

Most head gasket issues I have seen are do to in-sufficient torque on the head bolts or studs.

This should be a routine item like an oil change on any rebuilt street or strip engine.

With a little grinding on the headers in some places for access with a socket, this will help simplify the process.

No I didn't. Pulled it out of a rusty 87 T, put plugs in it and got it running. Based on what a local friend of mine told me about the history of the rusty car, the motor was a Jasper reman from back in the 90s. I prob should have checked it out better before I put it in, but that was the chance I took. Car actually runs good. I've got another healthy shortblock on standby.

 

[larrym]

You could use an exhaust gas tester to confirm the head gasket.