Not looking good

The situation with the project engine took a decided downward spiral today. After 2+ days of trying to get it started (It was coming real close, just wouldn't catch, Thank god as you will realize in a minute.) I had been over everything - spark, cam timing (my machinest had installed the adj sprocket on the wrong mark), igntion timing, vacuum leaks(found one today), fuel pressure (perfect), pulled the codes (11s for KOEO and continous)Sometime this evening my son found coolant dripping out the intersection of two pieces of exhaust pipe, coming from inside the pipe, not running along the outside. I knew I was in trouble. We start the process of pulling the head. He pops the upper intake off and tells me to look at this beautiful pool of coolant practically overflowing #4 runner in the lower intake. Oh f.....!. There had been a few times when the starter wouldn't turn the engine, so now I'm wondering if I hydroed a conn rod (Crowlers, so maybe I got lucky). There is also coolant in the oil. I should have the head off in the morning and I'm hoping it was a gasket install mistake on my part. A gasket or even a head I can probably recover from and still get the car to Carlisle. If there is any bottom end problems........... my next article in the Nato news will be on how to turn a dead bird into a decorative planter! [Image: frown.gif]


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88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges. New engine shortly, ported head and
manifolds, polished and cc'd chambers, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, Walbro 190 pump and T-3 for starters. KB subs
and jack rails.

Everyone here can feel your pain! Thank God it didn't start! Hate to think about what COULD have happened!
Sounds like you had a little of Dan E's luck....
Hopefully it will turn out as well as Dan's has in the end!

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1987 TC:
Hurst compition plus shifter,K&N cone,roller cam,custom single exhaust,Gillis valve,H&R springs,KYB shocks,struts and quads.
3.73 rear. lots more to come!
Linton Indiana

Come to think of it, my luck with this project has been going south ever since I paid Dan a visit a couple months ago. I wonder if he put one of those tarheel spells on me, LOL

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88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges. New engine shortly, ported head and
manifolds, polished and cc'd chambers, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, Walbro 190 pump and T-3 for starters. KB subs
and jack rails.

One of these days you guys will see the light in my theory of dropping in known good running motors instead of rebuilds.(if you remember me getting dogged for that) and just running the piss out of them till you need another [Image: smile.gif]

But really Pete, sorry about the bad luck, my fingers are crossed for you to meet Dan in the drag race death match.

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GT350R
#1978 20th 2.3 Turbo T-top
#3608 20th 2.3 Turbo T-top
1985.5 TC
1987 TC 5 speed
1987 TC auto
1988 TC auto
1983 Mustang soon to be Turbo


My Garage

Pete:

I may be up for some pranks now and again (just wait until Nate and I get together in Carlisle - LMAO !), but I wouldn't wish your situation on my enemies...cruel and unusual punishment.

Any thoughts as to the source of the coolant leak ? I doubt it's your head since you told me it was tested. Was your block pressure tested ?

I'll call you later...if I can swing it (read that as "if my Wife is OK with it")...maybe I can try and head your way earlier than planned before Carlisle (?)....

Geez, Pete, that sucks!! If you would have said the #2 or #3 runner, I would have guessed a bad lower intake to head gasket, but if is #4, the coolant must be coming in thru the head gasket or the head. Let us know what it turns out to be.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 00 Windstar (wifes vehicle)

Things are looking a bit better today. It appears the problem was the headgasket, most likely the head was not fully seated on the block. We have eliminated the head, block, turbo and lower intake as possible problems. Things are ready to go and Sat. I'll start putting it back together. A case of the little things causing big problems.

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88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges. New engine shortly, ported head and
manifolds, polished and cc'd chambers, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, Walbro 190 pump and T-3 for starters. KB subs
and jack rails.