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overheating race car - stumped!

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  • Author

Lighter as in cleaner. Everything about the head gasket looks fine. I went over everything for a long time with a flashlight and magnifying lens. I checked the head with a straight edge and it looks good. Whew! I think I'll prep the other head and have this one checked by the machine shop.

Chuck

What HG were you using? Do you run just water or Glycol ?

I asked about the cleaner pistons because maybe some water was steam cleaning your pistons . It wouldn't take much of anything to pressurize the coolant system.

  • Author

I used a full FelPro kit. I've never had a problem with FelPro. I ran water for the first weekend of use and a mix last time. I think there was a little steam cleaning the pistons and chambers. I think it was a very small leak and the temp dropped to normal under normal loads. When I did easy laps and the cool down lap the temp dropped to normal. But after 2-3 hard laps it was 240 degrees.

Chuck

Any chance the head had some warpage? Was it machined to flatness before building, or maybe at the high end of the warp limits and used as-is?

I've never rebuilt an engine but I'm curious. I have a warped head in the garage and wonder how much is too much and what the effects are.

S
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Just curious of your engine specs as far as CR?

  • Author

The head was on an engine that I removed from a car about 20 years ago. I had the head resurfaced just to clean it and make sure it's straight. We aren't allowed to shave it to raise compression for IT racing. I have new 20 over pistons installed so compression is about 9:1...stock. Everything is stock except for +20 pistons, Hooker header, exhaust, semi-custom air cleaner, oil cooler, Taylor plug wires and MSD 6.

Chuck

Personally I would spend the money on a Nismo gasket. They are pricey, but I think it's worth it. 125$ at Courtesy Nissan.

Edited by madkaw

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