VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1958-1960 sea foam

has anyone use sea foam in the classic ride???, i was told that it might help my oil pressure
thanks

Sea Foam is good stuff. I put it in my last tank of gas before I store it for the winter. It cleans the engine, evaporates water and stabilizes the fuel. My '41 seems to start and run better when I start it in the spring. I also use it in all my gasoline engines. I don't know about helping oil pressure. Be sure the Sea Foam mixes with the fuel and goes through the carburetor before storing for the winter. JIM

Sea Foam is more of a cleaner, not going to do anything for oil pressure. If anything it may loosen sludge inside an old engine and plug things up worse. Its a good product, but can only do so much.

Good to know ,, i just changed oil and i used15w 40 with a bottle of lucas treament ,, i am going to put the guage back in and see what the psi is

Thanks

Ok what was the PSI before? You may be doing damage to your engine with 15W40 oil, Chevrolet used 20 wt in Northern temp zones and 30 wt in tropical and Southern temp zones. Here in Texas or Southern Ca. I would use 10w-30wt. If you have an insert knocking thick oil won't help and if you don't have an insert knocking you won't need the thick oil.
Seafoam Won't help your oil pressure, it is a gasoline additive
......and now tell us why you are worried about the oil pressure on your 235?

Also tell us what cars and trucks you have has before you got the 58 Biscayne.

And the terrible Lucas goo will bring it up to ay least #50.

Sounds like an oil pressure reading lower than 15 at idle is giving you the "willies"...Nothing to worry about...You still haven't mentioned your engine displacement or year...

I havent used the sea foam,, my motor is a 235 and year 58, the motor sounds read good at idel i mean nice its just at the shift point right before it goes into high,, i am gong to check the timing ,,cause i am still running hot too,i was out yesterday and at red light it got to the 3/4 point it finely came down when i got on the open road,, i need to put the oil guage back in an put in the car and get readings ,,
I'll get you guys them and you'll know more info

Thanks,

Sounds like your chasing a cooling problem. You may want to take the radiator out and have it checked out. A good radiator shop should be able to help you.

i have ,, they got it to 85% i think i might have timming issue ,but it starts great just bump the key ,, does anyone which way to turn the duzz to advance ???

thanks

Do you have a shop manual??

Using the Manual can be handy...If you can find it...But, advancing the timing is simple...Loosen up the "duzz"...and turn in the direction that increases the r.p.m.'s...Then re-adjust ( lower ) your idle at the carburator...

There is a little mark at the bottom of dizzy mine is straight across the BB is just below the mark,

Thanks

???????????? OK....Ed

I don't pay much attention to the marks/lines 'cause once you loosen the "collar" to adjust the timing rather than the bolt you have to start all over anyhow...Am I making any sense...? As for the BB...On mine I think I see numbers...Ed...? How's about yourn...?

Right.... Fix the correct problem, don't look for a miracle in a bottle. I wouldn't use seafoam, but it has many followers.

If the temp is high at idle, but goes down on driving it, there is a fan/air circulation problem likely. I've seen them full of flies and mud. Could also be internal, that a good flush/seal can handle. The insides of the blocks and passageways get clogged or rusted out. Here is an example of what it could look like inside.


I don't think Chevrolet used any water pumps this cheap, but even the good ones could be rusty or have cavitation of the the fins.


Finally, with a $30 laser temperature gun you can check the radiator for hot or cold spots.

On timing, you basically want the most advanced possible without pinging. Living in the mountains, on non computer cars I often have to adjust several times a day. I first set my timing at my office and it was perfect, but It would ping at home (15 miles/600 feet lower). So I had to set it for home (about 5700 ft above sea level. When I used to drive my C20 back and forth from 400 ft to 14,000 ft, I'd stop regularly to advance or retard. Advance is in the direction of the vacuum control.

i fixed the over heating problem ,, i was running straight anti freeze ,, i should have know this but i just forgot ,, i did a 50/50 mix after flushing a few times ,, its seems ok for now , we drove all weekend and just got to half way thats it even after turning it off ,, i hope i got it this time ,, but i think the over haul is coming sooner than later ,,

thanks