09-17-2021, 02:49 PM | #1 |
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nasty odor
We have 39 sedan that we recently bought. A couple weeks ago we took it for a 3 mile drive to see what needed tweaking if anything. It ran fine. It was a slow speed between 25 & 40 mph. Today we wanted to do the same drive but before we got 1/4 mile down the road we had a bad odor & I almost thought I could see smoke. We took it home. I adjust the brakes a little looser hoping that was it but it wasn't. The engine & radiator are very hot so maybe it's burning engine paint. Obviously overheating. I would think that after a 1 mile drive I could touch the radiator top tank & not find it too hot. Can't do that. I don't have a temp gun, maybe I need to get one. Any ideas on what to check? thanks.
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09-17-2021, 03:00 PM | #2 |
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Re: nasty odor
Just wondering which one of the "We" ate beans before the drive.
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09-17-2021, 03:02 PM | #3 |
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Re: nasty odor
Woodie, we need more information:
Did you check the oil? Did you warm up the engine before driving? Nasty odor smelled like what? Was there steam? Did you lose any coolant? A 3 mile drive is not sufficient to prove roadworthiness. I hope you'll soon be able to take a good long drive that includes city traffic and highway speeds.
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09-17-2021, 03:06 PM | #4 |
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Re: nasty odor
Roasted mouse??
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09-17-2021, 03:09 PM | #5 |
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Re: nasty odor
The oil level is to the full mark. Can't say I warmed up the engine. Just got in & started driving. I can't put my finger on what it smelled like. That's why I thought maybe paint burning off from being too hot. I did not get steam but the previous owner has a 4 lb. pressure cap on the radiator. The coolant is almost to the point of running out the filler hole.
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09-17-2021, 03:32 PM | #6 |
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Re: nasty odor
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09-17-2021, 03:37 PM | #7 | |
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Re: nasty odor
Quote:
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09-17-2021, 03:46 PM | #8 |
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Re: nasty odor
My 8BA ran cooler with 180 stats. Have you double checked timing ? Like 38V8 said more info needed.
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09-17-2021, 03:47 PM | #9 | |
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Re: nasty odor
Quote:
Regarding thermostats, this board has advocates for everything from 190 down to "no thermostats". I take the middle road and use 170, with good success so far. |
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09-17-2021, 03:49 PM | #10 |
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Re: nasty odor
>>>has a 4 lb. pressure cap on the radiator. The coolant is almost to the point of running out the filler hole.>>>
That's good if there's an expansion tank. Leave the cap on when checking coolant level. Just make sure the coolant level in the tank covers the overflow tube cold. |
09-17-2021, 04:36 PM | #11 |
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Re: nasty odor
You say to have the coolant just covering the overflow tube, is this for a split core radiator as well? I also see mention of checking the timing, how do you do that on a v8? I thought that had to be done on a Ford tester.
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09-17-2021, 04:54 PM | #12 | |
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Re: nasty odor
Quote:
Jack ENJ: "That's good if there's an expansion tank. Leave the cap on when checking coolant level. Just make sure the coolant level in the tank covers the overflow tube cold." How do you check coolant level with the cap on? Inquiring minds want to know. Wouldn't it be impossible to cover the overflow tube? The fluid would just keep running out of the tube wouldn't it, making it impossible to cover the tube? Am I missing something here?
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09-17-2021, 05:31 PM | #13 |
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Re: nasty odor
I just let the car run for a bit so I could see the water flow in the radiator. I'm guessing the coolant is too full. I see coolant in the lower radiator pan so it must be coming out the overflow tube.
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09-17-2021, 05:59 PM | #14 |
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Re: nasty odor
Woodie,I wouldn't do a thing with it but just get in and drive it.
You're doing right by not warming it up in the driveway. Any difference in timing wouldn't cause it to smell funny. Your 4 lb radiator cap will not pressurize for you unless you have a restriction valve at the exit end of the overflow tube. You're not overheating unless you see and smell steam.
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09-17-2021, 06:30 PM | #15 |
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Re: nasty odor
I think the way I see it, the water is coming out the overflow tube with the cap on. The fluid has to go up with the cap on pushing it out the tube. That's the way I see it. I could be thinking wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.
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09-17-2021, 07:05 PM | #16 | |
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Re: nasty odor
Quote:
Woodie, you are correct. Your overflow tube is separate from cap location, and must have a restrictor valve at the bottom in order for the 4 lb cap to pressurize. Skip Haney sells one for the purpose, that holds pressure at 3 lbs. Your coolant does appear to be a pretty strong mix. It may be foaming out the overflow and dumping on the crossover exhaust pipe thereby producing the indescribable smell. Your picture shows a normal coolant level, you can't overfill that design radiator having the fill cap on the side.
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09-17-2021, 07:42 PM | #17 |
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Re: nasty odor
I'm wondering if I should go back to the non pressure original style cap.
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09-17-2021, 08:03 PM | #18 |
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Re: nasty odor
You can pick up a infrared gun at local hardware stores fairly cheap to check you engine temps.
If the radiator isn't leaking from pressure, I'd stick with the 4lbs cap. I'm guessing you are smelling a chemical type smell? Not a oil or gas smell. I'm also guessing that someone painted the motor before selling to give it a fresh look. Possibly the exhaust manifolds also. I'm also guessing that'll burn of quickly. Best of luck. . |
09-17-2021, 08:55 PM | #19 | |
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Re: nasty odor
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09-17-2021, 10:51 PM | #20 | |
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Re: nasty odor
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09-17-2021, 11:10 PM | #21 |
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Re: nasty odor
Lawson, the OP doesn't have an overflow tank. See post # 10, I think it prompted your question. He said "if there is an overflow tank."
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09-18-2021, 01:25 AM | #22 |
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Re: nasty odor
Woodie, To be clear, unless you have a restrictor valve on the exit end of the overflow tube, It makes no difference what cap you use, you won't have a pressurized system.
Radiators of the day were not designed to be pressurized, but yours is of a design that will readily accept 3 lbs pressure. Your choices are simple: 1 - leave it as it was built. 2 - Install a Skip Haney 3 lb restrictor on the overflow tube and a pressure cap. 3 - Install a coolant recovery system as has been described above. To help you make the right decision, remember the phrase "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
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09-18-2021, 02:28 AM | #23 |
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Re: nasty odor
if that smell is similar to a bad curry its coolant [boy its off ]
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09-18-2021, 06:48 PM | #24 |
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Re: nasty odor
I just tried lowering the coolant level to about 1/4" above the fins in the radiator. I didn't notice the odor on a short drive but now the engine quits when I slow down to stop. Coolant level may be too low. I'll put some back in the next time I can play with it again & see if it will idle. At least there wasn't coolant on top of the radiator pan this time.
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09-18-2021, 07:24 PM | #25 |
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Re: nasty odor
Coolant finds it's own level. It pushes it out when it's too much and expands under heat. Fill it, move on to the reason you have a heat issue. You said you have a heat issue? What temps are you running?
You might have a pin hole in the radiator that is also not helped by the 4lb cap (as I mentioned). Coolant on a hot motor will definitionally smell. It's very distinct, as it smells sweet and like coolant. May need to pull the radiator and have it fixed. Last edited by Tinker; 09-18-2021 at 07:38 PM. |
09-18-2021, 08:09 PM | #26 | |
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Re: nasty odor
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09-18-2021, 08:26 PM | #27 | |
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Re: nasty odor
Quote:
Does it start right back up and idle normally when it dies coming to a stop? Or is it hard to restart. Maybe the idle is set too low. Maybe the idle jets are set too lean. What carburetor so you have on your engine? |
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09-18-2021, 08:32 PM | #28 |
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Re: nasty odor
It does take some cranking to get it to restart but if you don't give it gas it dies again. I did bump the idle up yesterday because it was close to dying it was so slow. The carb is the 91-99. I'll have to get back at it in a couple of days.
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09-20-2021, 12:54 PM | #29 |
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Re: nasty odor
Things just seem to go south with this car. I'm turning up the idle so I can check for vacuum leaks & I have to have the throttle pulled out about 1/4 - 3/8" in order for the car to stay running. Then before I can try anything it looks like she may be over heating again. I'm thinking maybe fuel pump bad?
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09-20-2021, 04:58 PM | #30 |
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Re: nasty odor
If the engine continues to run long enough for it to overheat, it ain't the fuel pump.
What symptoms do you notice that leads you to believe it is overheating? Did you get an infrared thermometer as suggested? What is the thermometer reading?
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09-20-2021, 05:50 PM | #31 |
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Re: nasty odor
I have not had time to get the thermometer yet. I have found part of the problem though. I wasn't sure how tight the fan belt should be so I tried to tighten it a little more. Then I thought to check & see if the water pumps were turning. To my surprise the passenger side pump was froze solid. I'm thinking it's best to replace it rather than try to loosen it up. The other pump seems free enough. I want to get a pair done by Skip. Not sure on turn around these days. We don't have a lot of driving time left here before it gets too cold to want to drive without a heater.
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09-20-2021, 07:00 PM | #32 | |
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Re: nasty odor
Quote:
The smell was probably coming from the fan belt slipping on the frozen w/p pulley. That would also at least contribute to the engine stalling. Keep us posted.
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09-20-2021, 08:12 PM | #33 |
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Re: nasty odor
Coolant Level is Woodie1's 1939 Ford |
09-21-2021, 10:23 AM | #34 |
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Re: nasty odor
I will keep that 1 inch deflection of the fan belt logged in my memory bank. Hopefully I will find it when needed.
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09-21-2021, 12:24 PM | #35 |
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Re: nasty odor
I was taught to only tighten or loosen to 1/2 " deflection on the fan belt. 1" is pretty loose.
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09-21-2021, 12:44 PM | #36 |
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Re: nasty odor
My 50 used to bubble over when i first got it so nothing wrong with overheating problem so i installed 160 t stats 4 lb cap set level at just above the core then installed a stainless overflow tank problem solved good for 24 years i think i got it from speedway motors good luck
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09-21-2021, 12:50 PM | #37 |
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Re: nasty odor
speedway motors overflow tank part # 91102213
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09-21-2021, 05:28 PM | #38 |
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Re: nasty odor
I went out tonight & loosened the generator so I could remove the fan belt from the problem water pump pulley. I then rapped the end of the pump pulley with a block of hard wood over it . Not much room to move a hammer but after a couple of times it was free enough to turn the pulley by hand easily. Started the car & the pulley was turning. Went for a short half mile ride & checked the pulley when I got home. It was still turning. I don't think the radiator feels as hot. I will do some more short idles first to make sure it doesn't freeze up again. I did send a set of pumps out to Skip today for rebuild. I did notice some gas around the throttle linkage on the lower end. I don't think that should be there. At least it runs.
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09-21-2021, 10:27 PM | #39 |
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Re: nasty odor
Well that should get you through the driving season I hope.
Might have a loose throttle shaft and a flooding issue. It might be a good way to judge the heat of a motor with your hand but I might suggest finding another way to figure that out. . Last edited by Tinker; 09-21-2021 at 11:38 PM. |
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