Coolant leak

[Brandonk603]

Hi Everyone,
I went for my first drive in my coupe which was driving around my driveway back and forth for 15-20 minutes which doesnt sound very exciting but it certainly was for me! I noticed my overflow for coolant kept dripping vey slow and saw a trail in the driveway as well. It is definitely coming out the overflow hose run down the frame and no where else. The temperature never got past 180 degrees. I have a blueprint 427 FI and everything else is from Factory Five as far as radiator and plumbing.
Any ideas?

Thankyou,
Brandon

[ggunter]

If there are no other leaks, the overflow in the expansion tank will leak if the system is a bit over full. This will find its own level when the engine shuts down and the coolant cools off and contracts.

[gbranham]

Does the cooling system draw coolant back into the engine when it cools down? If so, as mentioned, the system is purging air and should find it's own level, Just keep an eye on the level in the coolant reservoir to make sure it doesn't go dry and draw air into the system. Also, the FFR-supplied coolant reservoir is a bit undersized for a 427. I also have a 427 and went with a Canton that has about twice the capacity of the FFR unit, and during the first few heat cycles, the level varied by more capacity than the FFR unit could hold. I spent quite a bit of time 'milking' the upper and lower rad hoses when I filled the system, and that got quite a bit of air out before I attempted my first start. Also, if you can remove the water temp sensor from the intake manifold while filling, that will help purge some air.

Greg

[GoDadGo]

Steve's Stupid Questions:

1. How large is the overflow reservoir?
2. Have you pressure tested the cooling system?
3. When operating the car, is your coolant temperature stable?

[lewma]

I spent quite a bit of time 'milking' the upper and lower rad hoses when I filled the system, and that got quite a bit of air out before I attempted my first start.

I had to do the same thing. I also used a much larger expansion tank than the one FFR supplied

[Brandonk603]

I appreciate the responses and plan to upgrade the tank to the canton. I suspect this may be an ongoing issue leaving the FF tank and dont want to risk damaging the motor. I ran the car at idle for quite a while making sure everything was working as it should without leaks.
Thankyou again!
Brandon

[GoDadGo]

Brandon,

I found that the volume of the Factory-5 tank was insufficient for my All Dart SBC.
I'd bet this is likely the same problem that you are having.
Hopefully the new tank will correct the issue.
Good Luck!

Steve