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apbright · 03-02-2022, 10:33 PM

Took my '31 Roadster out for the first time in a few months, not noticing that all coolant had leaked out. While driving, I attributed the burning smell I kept getting to some oil I had spilled on the exhaust manifold during a recent oil change. Finally realised the engine was overheating when it kept pinging/knocking despite significant spark retard. Then, I panicked, and pushed the car up to a local kindergarten, 'borrowed' their garden hose, and poured water in the radiator. This resulted in a massive plume of high-pressure steam coming back out of the radiator neck - mercifully not on me. However, the car would not start after that, had to have it flatbedded home.

The next day, took off the cylinder head, and saw a big crack in the combustion chamber of the head. I felt pretty dumb.

03-02-2022, 10:33 PM	#25
apbright Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 169	Re: You ever do something really STUPID? Took my '31 Roadster out for the first time in a few months, not noticing that all coolant had leaked out. While driving, I attributed the burning smell I kept getting to some oil I had spilled on the exhaust manifold during a recent oil change. Finally realised the engine was overheating when it kept pinging/knocking despite significant spark retard. Then, I panicked, and pushed the car up to a local kindergarten, 'borrowed' their garden hose, and poured water in the radiator. This resulted in a massive plume of high-pressure steam coming back out of the radiator neck - mercifully not on me. However, the car would not start after that, had to have it flatbedded home. The next day, took off the cylinder head, and saw a big crack in the combustion chamber of the head. I felt pretty dumb.