Project Deimos: An LS '65 Coupe Build: Engine no longer overheating!

[JimStone]

It's a good thing I'm building a car instead of a boat, because I've had so many leaks lately that this thing would have sunk by now.


The massive coolant leak from the poorly assembled water pump has been fixed. I was able to successfully pressure test the system to 20 psi (4 psi over what my radiator cap is rated).







Next, I tried bleeding the power steering system but could not get the air out. I realized I had a small leak at one of the steel fittings on the high pressure hose. I did make that hose, but I don't think it was my fault because it was leaking from one of the fitting's tube/body and not from the hose end part that I assembled. I still had the hose from the FFR power steering kit. It was about a foot too long but I made it work. Put some basalt fiber sleeve over it to match some of my other hoses







The next leak is completely my fault, and I'm still sick to my stomach over. I did what I've been warned a million times not to. I was tightening down the nut on the positive battery lead when my wrench grazed a nearby stainless brake line (and yes, I stupidly had the neg cable already hooked up). There was a spark and immediate deluge of brake fluid everywhere.






I'm going to try to repair it in place without taking the whole line out. But I honestly don't even want to think about it right now. Very disappointing







There has been some good news though.

I finished my heat shields made of dimpled aluminum stretched over 0.09 inch aluminum sheet, thern I cerakoted them with high temp V-series, and installed with spacers to give a 3/8 inch air pocket behind.

I also Cerakoted the headers and side pipes





I decided the heat shields were necessary after learning more about aluminum panel heat/sound insulation, and realizing I had probably made a mistake with my footbox linings. I had lined them with foil covered butyl as the first layer against the panel. Then closed cell foam, mass loaded vinyl, another thin foam, then vinyl upholstery.

Well, I learned butyl has a relatively low melting point (~250 F) but will start to droop at even lower temp, around 150 F. Thus the heat shields. Hopefully they work.






[Continued next post]