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In this case it is oil blowing into the water system.
I have confirmed with Phosphorescent Dye that oil is in fact getting into the water cooling system on my 1949 Desoto.
What really stinks is the engine is running real well. If I keep running it however, I can see a repeat of last month with the oil emulsion getting into the head and creating hot spots which lead to head cracks which lead to a dead engine.
After three years of restoration, this is a kick in the head. We did make it to the one show that Sondra really wanted to make. See photo.
But now I am looking at the task of sourcing another engine, building it, and then trying to do a swap with a car that does not even have a paint swirl yet!
I may take the car to my place out of town and toss a cover on it for a few months and not think about it.
James
at the risk of being simple minded, I would suggest you pull the water pump, head and other source of water via gasket leaks. maybe it's simply a weekend project.
I do not know Dave, but that was what I was thinking. Go for it James. This is a flat head six, isn't it?
Guys,
This is the end conclusion of a 2 month long attempt to figure out what is going on with this engine. The engine, in the engine bay, was taken down to the short block.
We had to replace the head which cracked due to oil emulsifying and coating the floor of the head. This created hot spots which cracked the head.
We checked everything. We replaced the head, the pump, and the like. Called ARP and got studs so the head torque was perfect.
I used Phosphorescent Dye in the oil. Within 10 minutes at idle it transferred to the water jacket. Make note, no water in the oil.
Since the oil galleries are below the water jacket in the block, the only place they are close to each other is at the floor of the water jacket between the cylinders. They are about 1/4 inch apart. If the floor of a jacket gets a hole, due to rust or a soft spot in the casting, oil pressure will push oil into the cooling system.
The water pump has no oil gallery connection as it sits much too high on the block.
James
Nice looking car! Keep your eyes open for another engine. Should be pretty easy to find. Then just drive it 'till it BLOWS! Probably won't.
Good Luck
Steve
