Thanks Rich. I'm hoping to get on it tonight.

 

This just got silly. Yesterday I drained the coolant as soon as I realized the water pump gasket had a leak. A few minutes ago I came in for lunch, and I went out to the shop and found a puddle directly beneath the the driver's side middle freeze plug. I didn't install the freeze plugs, so at least that leak didn't further injure my now fragile ego.

And oddly, I found a single line down the center of the mid-plate and a bubble of coolant at the bottom, nothing on the floor there. That spot is most likely from the water pump leak or freeze plug leak. The engine is tilted rearward, and I could see a line of coolant ran down the driver's side of the oil pan gasket line all the way to the rear. There's also the chance that what I think is a freeze plug leak, could be from that same line of coolant. But I can't just accept that without confirming it.

So, the engine has to go back on the build stand. I'll pull and replace all the freeze plugs, using plenty of sealant! Re-do the water pump gaskets. And I'll remove the flywheel to inspect everything back there.

 

Geez, almost as soon as I posted that last comment, I thought of a way I could test it. I wiped everything dry, then moved the test stand back and forth to jostle the remaining coolant. Then I watched where the coolant went. Besides all over the test stand paint and decals, it ran right down the driver's side oil pan rail, paused a slight low spot directly under the suspect freeze plug, dripped a couple of drops on the floor, then continued back to the mid-plate, and right down the center to the bottom of the mid-plate/bellhousing. So most likely, there's no freeze plug leak. That's not unequivocally proven, but there's evidence enough that I'll risk not replacing the freeze plugs for now. So, I'll leave it on the stand, and re-do the water pump gasket, and fill-er up again once the RTV is cured. Geez!

Edit comment: My dear old grandpappy used to say, "The last 10% of work, accounts for 90% of the time."

 

Well dang it, but for sure better to be extra safe than sorry, like to find an issue after you put it in the truck. See you built the run stand for smart reasons.

 

Your pappy was right! Deep breath, you're getting closer. But I thought the leaking freeze plug odd, especially if not under pressure. which brings up a point. Do you have a pressure tester? I don't have the stant one (or similar), but I did make one out of a motive brake bleeder, some quick connects, and a schwaben cooling system vacuum. I just put pressure on it instead of vac. anyway, an idea if it would make you feel better to know coolant tite before fire.

 

Thanks for the encouragement, Rich and Yamhill.

I do not have a coolant system pressure tester, but I may before this is over. I picked up the new gaskets. They're Fel-Pro, which I should have used to begin with. I've got the radiator off the stand. Removed the front dress and water pump. Once I'm done tractoring this evening, I'll get out a stack of razor blades and start working. I should have picked up some more RTV. I know I've got a few half tubes, and that's probably enough. I do have a new tube of Right Stuff, but I don't like using that on water pumps that have two gaskets and a plate.

 

Everything is back together. I found some burrs on the water pump plate. I'm embarrassed that I missed that. I have no idea if that caused the leak. I straight edge checked the timing cover and water pump. Both are straight. This time I used Fel-Pro gaskets instead of the ones like came with the water pump. And since everything is straight and new, I used High-Tack instead of RTV. I'm pretty sure I stripped a threaded hole in the timing cover. As soon as I felt the bolt slip, I stopped. The bolt has lots of PTFE sealant on it, so hopefully that'll harden and keep it in place. I can see me taking it back apart, and heli-coiling all the threaded holes in the timing cover. Anyway, I'll wait til morning and check torque one more time, then fill it with coolant.

 

I fired the engine this afternoon. It was great! I didn't move it out of the shop like I said I would. I intend to move it outside later so I can get better video. I just filled the room with fire extinguishers, big towels, and had a running water hose just outside the door. The valve cover gaskets leak like crazy at high RPM. Gotta fix that. But everything else is great! No coolant leaks, great oil pressure, wicked lumpy idle but will idle at 600 rpm (I'll probably have it at 800), lots of decibels with those prius mufflers. I'll try to figure out how to post the video.

 

Full congrats from out post Zulu

 

And well since It's Sunday and all, This ones for you Brother !

 

Congratulations, see you knew what you were doing the whole time.

 

Well, lets not get carried away Rich. Did you get the video I texted?

Guys, I promise I'm trying to figure out this youtube thing so I can post the engine running on the stand. I've been back out to the shop four times tonight. Cranked it up every time. It's like Moon Pies & RC Cola. You just can't get enough.

 

Red, thanks for the SRV video. My favorite guitarist and vocalist. I don't know that other guy.

 

Mike I sure did at 5:16 AM (at my location)....but this was a good wake up call. Varoom varoom, lope lope lope.

 

Good. I knew you'd be awake by then.