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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 221
Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 221 |
Hello all,
I took a leave of absence from this chat page to run a company, get married, build a house, becoming a granddad, and things of these types, but it is time to getting back into the action. My wife and I did not take leave of our old Chevy’s, having just participated in a show yesterday. I have an all original 1928 Coach, which I am selling in a popular collector cat magazine (no names, but it is thick and green). I am selling it because as a survivor, there is little that we can do to it without compromising its authenticity. I also have a 1926 Roadster which I purchased from a friend prior to his passing (Don Rossi). The 26 looks good, but it deserves a complete restoration, as its prior restoration was done 35 years ago and is in need of refreshing. I am most interested in performing an engine and drive train restoration first, as I want it to run strong and cool. To date, the only thing I have done is rebuild the head, carbs, radiator, and clutch. I believe it needs a bore-job (rings and pistons), balance and complete electrical rewire. I need some advice on the engine rebuild. The car current runs hot and consumes coolant. I had the head checked or cracks, which it passed, but I feel that perhaps it was representative of the head running at temp and under real pressure (there was an exterior head-crack which was patched). I have pressure-tested the system, looking for cracks/leaks, but have not found anything. Don did tell me that there was a chance that the engine has hard-steel piston rings and that they should be replaced with cast iron rings (which should run cooler). The compression is around 55-60 psi and it does not burn or consume oil. Ok, enough for this intro, I await questions and advice on how best to proceed. PS I am a pseudo-qualified machinist and mechanic, but I think it best to farm-out the machining, and simply perform the assembly.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
First action is to pull each plug and inspect. They should all be the same appearance. If you find one that is nice and clean this may indicate a blown head gasket or cracked head.  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 221
Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 221 |
Thanks for the feed-back. I did check the plugs, and the compression, and all seems well. My concern is that the leak is on the exhaust side only, and the coolant is being consumed on the exhaust side, from the head, out the exhaust pipe. A pressure test of the combustion chamber would not necessarily reveal a leak in the exhaust chambers of the head. I will pull the head and conduct a thorough pressure check on all chambers, in all directions (pressure and vacuum).
I am curious about “sleeving” the block, wondering if this is done and the pros/cons of doing. Any thoughts?
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
When you remove the head, do so carefully. Inspect the head gasket closely for breaks or points of crossover. Also check the bottom side of the head closely. Note if any one cylinder head spot over one of the 4 pistons has a different pattern. Especially, a light color.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 145
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 145 |
It's a bit off topic, but I'd like to know more about your 28 Coach if you want to send me a PM and discuss it.
Hope to hear from you.
1928 Coach Coupe
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