Brown sludge

[Tannerm]

I know this has happened to someone here before so I tried searching it. Couldn't find anything. Anywho after countless hours of wrestling with carb issues, I finally drove home to await another day. It was still running like crap. I also noticed it running hotter then normal. That was Monday. Wednesday evening after work I had bought a 5.5 power valve and planned on installing it. I remembered it had ran hot last I drove it, so I popped the radiator cap to see if I was low. Instead I discovered a brown sludgy mess. It was oily looking so my first thought was a damn head gasket... I didn't smell of oil, just coolant. It isn't rust either, rust wouldn't be so milkshake like. Another have this happen?

[Chas_svo]

I don't know anything about the history of said vehicle, so it's hard to say. Drain some out, and most things will separate out from water/AF so that may help.

New rad?

You do seem hard on parts Tanner.

[garycrist]

A hydrocarbon test might be in order.

[Tannerm]

Sorry chas. Its a supposid 347 with hci and that darn holley 670. Built c6, aluminum griffin rad with electric fans. I had checked it a week ago and coolant was green as they come. Now, i check it and its got a brown sludgy film. I assume its green underneath. What do u mean hard on parts?

[BP]

Make sure your cooling system isn't generating any voltage. Depending on the components and coolant involved it can cause the coolant to solidify. It sounds crazy but if your aluminum heater core and radiator react weird with some compounds it'll cause all kinds of problems. Need to make sure everything is grounded properly.

I can't count how many Blazers I've seen with phantom overheating problems that ended up with a radiator and heater core stopped up with "mud". Guessing this is a Ford but it could have similar problems. Otherwise a combustion gas test is in order. Also check the trans fluid, if the cooler is integrated in the radiatior that could be your problem.

[greenbullitt]

trans fluid? does it even have a trans cooler in the rad?

[homealone]

I can't count how many Blazers I've seen with phantom overheating problems that ended up with a radiator and heater core stopped up with "mud". Guessing this is a Ford but it could have similar problems. Otherwise a combustion gas test is in order. Also check the trans fluid, if the cooler is integrated in the radiatior that could be your problem.

Tell me about it. My coupe was running warm so I pulled the Rad to have it rodded. Found this in one of the tanks. It's almost 3 inches cubed.

[TorchRedStang]

Are you running water wetter?? I had this exact issue with my car and it ended up being the redline water wetter somehow reacting to the brand of coolant I was using. I flushed the system and haven't seen it since.

[Chas_svo]

Sorry chas. Its a supposid 347 with hci and that darn holley 670. Built c6, aluminum griffin rad with electric fans. I had checked it a week ago and coolant was green as they come. Now, i check it and its got a brown sludgy film. I assume its green underneath. What do u mean hard on parts?

Thanks for the info. I have the same questions as below, is the trans cooler integrated in the rad?

Wasn't meaning to dig on the "hard on parts" part, just seems like you've been on here several times recently with issues. Was sort of a rhetorical question, I guess.

Let us know on the cooler.

[Tannerm]

Thanks for the info. I have the same questions as below, is the trans cooler integrated in the rad?

Wasn't meaning to dig on the "hard on parts" part, just seems like you've been on here several times recently with issues. Was sort of a rhetorical question, I guess.

Let us know on the cooler.

Sorry for the posts. This goddamn engine was apparently not put together right... Im just very annoyed. It has been one prob after another very recently. If i remember correctly (not home, at estrogen center i.e. preggo doctor) its a very large exterior trans cooler.

As for water wetter, i do not. I have no clue what that is. This all happened in a weeks time. Like stated above, it was a week ago i checked coolant level and it was green. Now with a brown sludge.

[Chas_svo]

Ok Tanner, is your vehicle somewhere secured, or did u piss anyone off at work?

Any history on who built the 347?

[Tannerm]

Ok Tanner, is your vehicle somewhere secured, or did u piss anyone off at work?

Any history on who built the 347?

? U implying someone at work sabataged aunt flo? Highly doubtful. Its in my garage. Only car allowed in my garage . The truck was bought off a boardmember. He said it was built 10k miles ago. Suppose to make 400 horses, makes about 4. Unfortunatelty no receipts. Plan is tocorrect it or put in a roller 351 with hci. Either way i shall resurrect this red bizzach!

[Chas_svo]

Details reminded me of a friend who kept having weird car issues, and it was later determined to be work of current gf's ex. He was pretty crafty.

Since that doesn't appear to be possible here, we'll move on. I always thought a 347 would make a killer motivator. A guy I know in AZ had one in a 66 fastback that was pure awesome, back when few had them.

Let us know if you get more information on the rad contents. Hopefully it's not too bad.

[Tannerm]

I forgot to mention i had used a bottle of stop leak in it about two months ago. It had stopped the slow drain of coolant and kept my coolant level the same for the past two months. This wouldnt be that stuff surfacing?

Update. Trans cooler on outside. I looked down the radiaor cap and rown shit is gone ?! Coolant color isnt as green as it use to be. Hmmm. Going for bike ride. Need to think. Brb!

[80coupe]

I forgot to mention i had used a bottle of stop leak in it about two months ago. It had stopped the slow drain of coolant and kept my coolant level the same for the past two months. This wouldnt be that stuff surfacing?

Update. Trans cooler on outside. I looked down the radiaor cap and rown shit is gone ?! Coolant color isnt as green as it use to be. Hmmm. Going for bike ride. Need to think. Brb!

yes, probably whats making it run hot to!